Though mountain gorillas are huge and big in size, this doesn’t prevent them from having predators; mountain gorilla’s common predators are humans and leopards.
Although leopards have the potential to kill gorillas, it’s never an easy task when mountain gorillas live in groups. Leopards take advantage of their ability to climb trees where mountain gorillas build their nests at night.
A defense mechanism can be defined as an unconscious psychological mechanism that reduces anxiety arising from unacceptable harmful stimuli. Mountain gorillas have several defense mechanisms, some of which can be seen below:
Mountain gorillas can stand upright to make themselves look huge and taller in order to scare away their predators.
Mountain gorillas also display their strong canine teeth to scare their opponents. The canines of mountain gorillas are very strong and capable of causing death if the wounds left from a bite are deep.
Mountain gorillas also beat their chests thunderously and make loud hoots in order to threaten or defend themselves from their predators. When a gorilla predicts danger, it makes an alarm to alert the rest of the family about the danger so that the group can gather together with the silverback.
Female mountain gorillas always build strong ties with male gorillas or silverbacks so that they can protect them or so that their offspring is not attacked.
Mountain gorillas also have very strong hands that help them to fight their predators and move swiftly on trees. Their hands help them lift or crush heavy objects.
Gorilla trekking
Mountain gorilla trekking safaris can be done from Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
The prices for gorilla permits differ by country, which are $700 in Uganda, $1500 in Rwanda, and $400 in Congo during the dry season, and $200 during the rainy season.
Gorilla habituation
Gorilla habituation can only be done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. This is the process of making mountain gorillas get used to human presence and is more interesting than gorilla trekking because you get to spend more time with the endangered mountain gorillas and will therefore have a great opportunity to take photos.
What to carry for gorilla trekking
Before going for gorilla trekking, you need to be physically fit because they live at higher elevations where you will need to hike.
Also, book your gorilla permit in advance before coming to the country. You need to bring along waterproof hiking boots, garden gloves, plenty of drinking water, insect repellents, and so much more.
