Aug. 5 (Bloomberg) -- About 125,000 endangered western lowland gorillas are living in the northern Congo Republic, more than previously thought, the New York Times reported, citing a survey by the Wildlife Conservation Society.

The findings give scientists hope for the gorillas, which have been hurt by hunting and the Ebola virus, the Times said. Scientists at one point thought fewer than 100,000 of the primates were alive, the newspaper said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Joseph Galante in San Francisco at jgalante3@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: August 5, 2008 00:12 EDT