Western Lowland Gorillas Lesson Plan
Created by: Michael Bowman 3LPlace, October 2017
Applies to: Understanding and Participating in Community (New England)
Purpose: Follow up our Franklin Park Zoo, Serengeti Crossing lesson by learning about
the critically endangered Western Lowland Gorillas that live at the zoo.
Objectives:
- Learn about Western Lowland Gorillas.
- Explore factors which have led to their Critically Endangered status and learn what the World Wildlife Fund is doing to protect them and conserve their habitat.
- Explore what we can do individually or collectively to help protect these gorillas.
- Learn about Franklin Park Zoo’s most famous resident, Little Joe and his escape from the zoo in 2003.
Materials needed:
- Worksheets (see attachments below)
- Pens, pencils, markers etc.
- iPad, computer or smart board
Activity Steps:
- Watch Western Lowland Gorillas in the Wild, a 3 min video of gorillas in wild
- Watch Western Lowland Gorillas, Ngaga, Odzala, Congo (Part 1), a 6 minute video of gorillas in the wild
- Watch Silverback Western Lowland Gorilla Charge & Beating Chest @ Port Lympne - 2010 Gorilla, 30 second video of alpha male display in captivity
- Explore Gorilla Family for a slideshow of the gorillas, including Little Joe, currently living at Franklin Park Zoo
- Watch The Great Escape, for a cartoon story of Little Joe’s escape
- Watch What do you feed a 350-pound gorilla?, a video about Franklin Park Zoo’s meal prep for their gorillas.
- Complete worksheets at table
- Decide what, if anything, members want to do to support WWF’s Western Lowland Gorilla conservation such as the WWF’s “Adopt a Gorilla” program