Do gorillas attack humans?

Do gorillas attack humans?

Despite their intimidating size and strength, gorillas are gentle giants by nature and therefore do not attack people. Gorillas have been misunderstood by various people for being dangerous creatures and aggressive, but instead are primarily shy and highly intelligent animals living in social groups that are dominated by silverbacks, maintaining strong family bonds.

Gorillas are predominantly herbivores, feeding mostly on leaves, stems, fruits, and bamboo shoots, with a calm lifestyle. However, Gorillas can be aggressive, but aggression is not part of their routine unless provoked.

Do Gorillas attack Humans unprovoked?

No, Gorillas do not attack humans unless disturbed or provoked. In their natural setting, they are shy creatures and may hide away when they sense human presence around them. This is most especially for wild gorillas that have not been habituated for visitors’ experience, thus prefer to avoid encounters and a peaceful environment.

For gorillas that have been habituated, especially in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Humans get a chance of getting up close to these endangered species in their natural habitats without running away since they have been slowly introduced to human beings for many years and generally remain calm and relaxed during the actual trekking.

When do Gorillas Become Aggressive?

Even when this is a rare experience, gorillas sometimes become aggressive due to some conditions, though they always act as warning signs. Below are some of the reasons why Gorillas become Aggressive;

Need to protect their group.

Gorillas live in social groups (troops) that are always headed by male silverbacks who are incredibly protective of their group members, including females and infants. Once a gorilla group perceives a human threat, the silverback gorilla comes out to assert dominance and protect the rest of the family.

Provocation or Disrespect

Gorillas can be aggressive against humans, especially when having direct eye contact, sudden movements, loud noises, or approaching too closely, which they can perceive as a threat. These behaviours make gorillas feel uneasy and therefore become aggressive as a defensive response. This is most common during the gorilla trekking experience, and visitors are therefore strongly warned against these.

Misinterpretation of Human Behaviour

Gorillas can sometimes misinterpret human behaviour, especially gestures such as pointing, standing upright, holding out arms when in a proximity thus become aggressive against humans. This is a common behaviour during the gorilla trekking experience, and visitors are advised to keep following the instructions of the ranger guide.

Invasion of personal space

Getting too close to the gorillas in their habitats, especially during gorilla trekking, makes them uncomfortable and may cause them to become aggressive towards visitors. The Uganda Wildlife Authority recommends a safe viewing distance of about 10 meters from the gorillas to minimise the risk of aggression.

Gorilla Trekking Experience

Gorilla trekking is done in only 3 countries/regions where mountain gorillas are located, including Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Uganda alone consists of almost half of the world’s mountain gorillas and is followed by Rwanda and Congo. In Uganda, Gorillas can be found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The gorilla trekking Experience involves trekking through the rainforests and mountains in search of mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. Once the gorillas are found, visitors are allowed to spend 1 hour with the gorillas as they capture photo moments, as well as learning about their way of life. The gorilla trekking experience is led by two armed rangers to provide security and safety during the actual gorilla trekking experience. It is worth noting that only 8 pax are assigned to a specific gorilla family per day per trek and accompanied by two park rangers.

However, seeing the mountain gorillas in their natural habitats requires a gorilla trekking permit, and these are issued by the issuing bodies. Gorilla trekking permits are documents that allow visitors to trek the gorillas for 1 hour, and the experience is rewarded with a gorilla trekking certificate.

In Uganda, a gorilla trekking permit costs USD 800 for foreign non-residents, USD 700 for Foreign Residents, USD 500 for Foreign Residents of Africa and UGX 300,000 for East African Citizens.

In Rwanda, a gorilla trekking permit costs USD 1500 for Foreign Non-Residents, USD 500 for foreign residents, USD 200 for East African citizens and USD 200 for Rwandan citizens.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, a gorilla trekking permit costs USD 400 for Foreign Non-Residents, USD 200 for East African citizens and USD 200 for citizens. For Mountain gorilla trekking, a gorilla trekking permit costs USD 400 for Foreign Non-Residents, USD 200 for East African citizens and USD 200 for citizens.

Rules and Guidelines to Follow When Observing the Gorillas

Whether you are planning a gorilla trekking experience or observing them in sanctuaries, it is always important to prioritise safety by respecting the space and behaviour of the gorillas. Below are some of the rules and guidelines to follow when observing the gorillas, and some of the rules include the following

• Keep a safe distance of about 10 meters away from the gorillas.
• Avoid making noise, direct eye contact, and making sudden movements.
• Do not imitate the behaviors of the gorillas, such as chest beating, because you don’t know what you are communicating.
• Do not feed the gorillas.
• Avoid flash photography, which can startle the gorillas.
• Do not eat or drink near the gorillas
• Always follow the instructions of your ranger/guide

In conclusion, Gorillas are generally peaceful creatures and do not attack people unless provoked by humans, especially during gorilla trekking. Therefore, it is important to understand the behavior of gorillas, especially the social structure and their need for personal space. Are you planning a gorilla trekking safari and worried about gorillas or fearing that to will attack you? The gorilla trekking experience is led by professional trekkers who know the behavior of gorilla families, and therefore, observing the gorillas in their natural habitats is one of the rarest experiences that creates magical and unforgettable memories. Send us your inquiry, and we will plan your gorilla trekking experience today.