Campaigners criticise European zoo proposals to cull adult male gorillas

Overcrowding of western lowland gorillas in zoos has led regulatory body to consider drastic measures

Campaigners are hitting back at zoo proposals to cull adult male gorillas, arguing they should be returned to the wild instead.

Overcrowding of critically endangered western lowland gorillas in zoos has led the influential European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (Eaza) to consider killing adult males of the species. Eaza is the body that regulates most of the zoos in Europe.

Western lowland gorillas are the smallest of the four gorilla subspecies, standing at 4 to 6 feet (122cm to 183cm) when upright. Tests on one lowland gorilla found an IQ of between 70 and 90 - the average IQ for humans on many tests is 100, and most people score somewhere between 85 and 115.