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RESPECT THE RULES
Introduction
Mountain Gorillas were made famous by Dian Fossey who dedicated her life to their future and immortalized them in the film ‘Gorillas inthe Mist’.
There are no more than 668 Mountain Gorillas remaining in the world today, of which 355 live in the Virunga Volcanoes. In the past poaching and habitat destruction were the main cause for concern. However with publicity, tourism and education regarding the plight of the Mountain Gorilla, the authorities have been able to halt this rapid decline.
There are few animals in Africa about which so many legends circulate. His enormous size, his extraordinary strength and the
fact that he lives in mysterious forests of luxuriant vegetation have contributed to his mystique. The troop consists usually of a dominant male and up to five or more females and their young.
It is basically a stable family with the young only leaving after they reach sexual maturity. Females join another group while young males remain solitary until they have an opportunity of forming their own troop. This primate is of impressive dimensions; some males attain over six feet in height and weigh more than 440 pounds. The head is massive and the huge jaws are
equipped with powerful teeth.
Far from being an aggressive animal, as the legends claim, the gorilla is gentle and peaceful in its habits. It is only when threatened that he adopts an intimidating attitude in which he howls in a most frightful way and beats his chest with his fists.
Should visitors find themselves in his presence at this moment, they will be advised to assume a submissive, non-threatening attitude. Once his confidence has been restored, the gorilla goes on about his business accepting the intruder. Gorillas are active only during the daytime and build nests in which they pass the night.
The nests built in trees are occupied by the females and young ones, while the males seem to prefer nests on the ground. Their food consists mainly of leaves, buds, tubers and sorts of wild celery from the umbelliferous family.
Gorilla Viewing, the main Rules
- Total silence
- No smoking
- No eating
- No pointing or staring directly at the gorilla
- Do not stand above the guides height, if he kneels so do
- you and follow the guides actions at all times
- Move slowly and be calm
- If the 'Silverback' charges DO NOT RUN AND KEEP BEHIND THE GUIDES
- No children under 15 years
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