Though gorillas are large and strong apes, they are gentle animals that rarely attack unless they are provoked. A gorilla usually shows warning signs before it attacks, and it will only charge if the person or animal does not back away.
Gorillas are wild animals, and there are several ways they can become angry—some by accident and others on purpose.
Below are a few common reasons:
- A female mountain gorilla can become angry if someone tries to touch or take her baby. Female gorillas are very protective mothers. If someone forcefully takes their baby, they will fight to protect it, even if it means risking their own life.
- A silverback gorilla becomes angry when another gorilla, a predator, or even a human tries to interfere with its group. Silverbacks are responsible for the safety of their families and will do anything to defend them.
- Gorillas can also get angry if you make direct eye contact with them. For reasons not fully understood, they sometimes take it as a threat and may start showing signs of aggression. Even shouting or screaming near gorillas in the wild can make them angry.
- A silverback may also become angry if a younger male, known as a blackback, tries to mate with the females in the group. Only the silverback is supposed to mate with the group females. When this rule is broken, it can lead to a serious fight, and the younger male may be forced to leave the group.
Even though mountain gorillas are shy and gentle, it’s important not to underestimate them.
For this reason, you must follow the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking. Doing so helps you avoid upsetting the gorillas, which could lead to a charge that may cause serious injuries or even death.
When gorillas are angry, they show signs like throwing plants, making loud hooting sounds, thumping the ground, beating their chests, walking on two legs, and more.
If you see these signs, it means the gorilla is angry. You must stay calm and use actions that help the gorilla relax instead of making it more aggressive.
You will receive a full briefing on this before starting your gorilla trek in Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo.
