Are Gorillas Aggressive & Dangerous?

Are Gorillas Aggressive & Dangerous? 

Are Gorillas Aggressive & Dangerous? : Though mountain gorillas were once believed to be giant, ferocious monsters, it is all untrue. Yes, it is True Mountain gorillas are powerful animals and they can be dangerous if threatened more particular the silverback (male gorillas).

Silverbacks are incredibly strong and have long canines that can cause serious injuries, often when 2 gorillas groups meet, the leaders (silverbacks) they get into physical altercations. Silverbacks have been known to kill infants after taking over a group, gorillas are generally calm animals though they can be aggressive in certain situations.

While on a gorilla trekking safari and in the presence of gorillas, it is important to remember that though gorillas open for gorilla trekking are habituated, they are still wild animals and should be treated with caution and maximum respect.

Things to known about mountain gorillas is that  Males can be aggressive when they feel their group is threatened, even if it’s a perceived threat. This is the reason to why these animals are slowly habituated getting them used to people before allowing visitors to meet them, if not so, the silverback could become started and attack.

This has so far been a really big problem for hunters in the past, when they got into contact with the gorillas they end up with serious injuries.

This article answers to questions surrounding gorillas and if they get aggressive and what to do when they get aggressive.

When Do Gorillas Become Aggressive?

Though Mountain Gorillas look like they kill with a single strike, they are gentle giants and they prefer being left alone. It is very important to remember that gorillas are wild animals and like wild animals, they can get aggressive when threatened. Mountain gorillas become aggressive when a silverback from another group tries to steal females from a group  or if a human gets too close to their territory.

Before it attacks, a mountain gorilla tries to warm the intruders off with loud grunts and by tearing down vegetation. If it does not work, the silverback will stand upright on its rare legs and pound its chest as a show of power. These actions show that the gorilla is ready to defend itself and its group against the treat. Caution: when in the wild with mountain gorillas, give mountain gorillas some space and respect with in their territory. You are advised to keep a distance of 7 meters between you and the gorillas.

Can Habituated Gorillas Become Dangerous?

Are habituated gorillas friendly?

Mountain gorillas are one of the most misunderstood animals and often portrayed as dangerous and aggressive, mountain gorillas are gentle giants, shy and retiring by nature and only become aggressive when they feel threatened.

Fact is, Wild Mountain gorillas are not as dangerous as they are portrayed to be and most of the incidents of gorillas attacking humans have occurred in zoos and other captive settings where they are deprived of their natural habitats and social structures.

When mountain gorillas are in their natural environment, they pose very little threat to humans. Over time, many mountain gorillas have been successfully habituated to human presence and can be visited and safely observed while in the wild – in the jungles of Uganda (Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga Gorilla national park), Rwanda – Volcanoes national park and DR.Congo in Virunga national park.

Gorilla trekking in these gorilla destinations offer habituated gorilla tracking experience, allowing people to meet and see gorillas in their natural habitat and learn more about these beautiful animals.

How to Avoid Gorilla Attacks

Though mountain gorillas are gentle giant and some of them habituated, they are still wild animals and can be dangerous when they feel threatened. While on a once-in a life time experience of an encounter with mountain gorillas (gorilla trekking), there are some important things to keep in mind so as to avoid gorilla attacks and they include.

• While in the presence of mountain gorillas, first pay attention to the gorilla’s body language. If they begin to beat their chests or make any aggressive gesture, it is time to back off.
• Avoid making direct eye contact or showing your teeth to the gorillas, as they can perceive these actions as threats
• While taking pictures, avoid taking flash photo or using flashlights around gorillas, this can make gorillas feel insecure thus leading to an attack

Following these simple guidelines make sure you have a memorable encounter with these gentle giants.

 Gorilla Trekking & Safety Concerns

Gorilla trekking safari is an amazing experience allowing you to get up close and personal with mountain gorillas – the world’s most fascinating animals, during gorilla trekking it is important to remember that gorillas are wild animals  and it is crucial respect their space.

Visitors/ tourists are advised to keep a distance of 7 meters from gorillas and should never attempt to touch them, in the entire world, gorilla trekking is done in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park in Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in DR.Congo. while on an encounter with mountain gorillas, you will a safe and enjoyable experience for both you the tourists and the gorillas.

Why Gorillas Get Angry, Aggressive & Dangerous

After the completion of the habituation process, there are possibilities that gorillas can return to their natural state if people cease visiting them often. Here are the reasons to why gorillas may get angry, aggressive and dangerous

Putting On the Wrong Colors Of Safari Clothing

When on a safari for an encounter with mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, it is very important to be aware of the right colors to wear. On a gorilla safari, bright colors are not allowed as they make you stand out and be the first target in case they decide to charge. Even if the gorillas are in a happy mood, they may want to probe you out of all trekkers.

Tourists are encouraged to wear dull colors such as green or brown which perfectly blend with the forest environment in which the primates liv, wearing dull colors will not only avoid attracting unwanted attention from the gorillas and also be less likely to startle them which can cause them to become aggressive.

Eye Contact With The Gorillas

It is human nature to want to establish a connection with gorillas, though the gorillas have a close relation humans, it is important to remember that they are still wild animals and should be treated in that way. One of the main ways to show respect to mountain gorillas is not making direct eye contact with them, gorillas in the wild use eye contact to assert their dominance and challenge other members of their group. If a human makes eye contact with a gorilla, it can be interpreted as a sign of aggression. Gorillas are generally shy creatures and they are still wild animals and should be respected that way, if you find yourself in close proximity to gorillas. It is best to avoid making eye contact with them and keep a distance of 7 meters.

Give Gorillas The Space they Need

While in the presence of mountains , it is important to keep space of about 7 meters so that they can move freely in their natural habitat, when gorillas feel like they are being surrounded, they could become agitated and even attack. Because mountain gorillas need space, a number of tourists visiting a particular group per day is limited. Respecting the space of Mountain gorillas’ space , will ensure their own safety and your own as a tourist.

Don’t Touch The Gorilla

Gorillas are the most gentle and loving creatures known in the animal Kingdom, they are very intelligent and have complex social lives. Because of this, it is easy to forget that gorillas are still wild animals.  While in the presence of gorillas, you are advised to restrain yourself from wanting to touch them or get too close to them as they are still wild animals.

The leader of the group/family – The Silverback, he is always watching his group members and if he sees someone getting close to one of his gorillas, he may become protective and aggressive. Though it might look harmless, never touch mountain gorillas as they are still wild animals.

A Gorilla Charge: What to Do and Not to do

 When a gorilla charges, the following are the things to do and not to do

Calmness is Key

While in the presence of mountain gorillas, it is important to remember to remain calm. This might be hard to do when a large and potentially dangerous animal is nearby but it is very crucial in this situation.

Gorilla enjoy feeling superior and if you act panicked or scared, it will only encourage then to attack you. Instead of panicking, lower yourself down and make yourself as small as possible. Look towards the trees and stay alert, but don’t stare directly at the gorilla and whatever you do, don’t run  as they are much faster than humans, trying to flee with only trigger its chase instinct. If you can manage to stay calm and submissive, the gorilla will eventually lose interest and move on.

Note: Gorillas never continue an attack once the person they are attacking stops being a threat or a challenge, so as long as you don’t fight back or try to run away, you should be safe.

Pay Attention To What Your Safari Guide Tell You

To rangers, your safety is the number one priority of the rangers during gorilla trekking experience. In an event when a gorilla becomes aggressive which is rare, the rangers will first attempt to draw its attention away from you and towards themselves.

As the only resort, the guide will consider shooting into the air to scare off the primate. Though this is the last resort it has never happened.