Grauer’s Gorillas

A film made for Primate Expertise for environmental education among local communities around the Kahuzi-Biega National Park.
The Grauer’s Gorilla, or Eastern Lowland Gorilla, is endemic to the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is a critically endangered subspecies. The largest living primate is much less known than its closest relative, the Mountain Gorilla. The Grauer’s Gorilla is habituated to human presence only in the Kahuzi-Biega National Park, the first park that habituated gorillas for tourism. The project had many benefits for conservation, but there was a big price to pay...

[@prestonrick5103]

I visited the Kahuzi-Biega National Park 3 months ago and it was amazing! Our group got to spend 2 hours with a gorilla family. The male silverback was a 200KG monster but exceptionally gentle. He never made one aggressive movement or expression. I was within about 5 meters from him and his family. He was so comfortable with us that he rolled over on his back exposing his belly. Animals don't do this unless they trust you completely. This video saddened me to learn all the previous habituated silverbacks were killed by humans. I do understand that when they lose their fear of humans that puts them more at risk. I hope the Congo can stabilize and realize that they have a wildlife treasure in their country. People like me will pay to come and see them, but only if it is safe to enter the country. There were times that I did feel unsafe, and I was glad to only be there for 2 days before exiting. When exiting, the customs agent could not believe I was from America. I took some risk, but the reward was well worth the risk I took. Of course everyone wants to exploit the rich mineral wealth. This wealth complicates the country's stability.

[@shawna6683]

I love this!

[@shawna6683]

They don’t need fufu! No more fufu!