Do Gorillas eat their Babies? Just no. Only the African continent is home to gorillas, the largest species of primates on earth. They share 98% of human DNA, making them similar to humans. The Republic of Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda are among those where gorillas can be found. Families make up the gregarious group of gorillas. A strong silverback who serves as their leader ensures the safety and well-being of the entire family. There are gorillas in the lowlands, mountains, and west. The most common gorilla species, called mountain gorillas, are found in the highlands of the Virunga conservation area.

Up until the age of four, young gorillas remain with their mothers, relishing in the breast milk and the company of their mothers. They typically split up to start new families after that age. Gorillas never think about consuming their own siblings; instead, they defend them from other gorilla families’ attacks. Usually, the female gorillas and silverbacks watch their young for extended periods of time. It’s important to have a close relationship with the fathers of the baby gorillas born during the period when the group operates as a unit; in fact, they even help to remove wires and other traps they come across.

The entire gorilla group sorrows for a while when a baby dies or is lost before moving on to the next activity. These primates are similar to us in that they like socializing with one another. The young spend the majority of the day playing, skipping from branch to branch, and learning from their moms.

The best way to verify the close relationship and rule out the possibility that gorillas can eat their young is to go on a gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation experience. The one to eight-hour gorilla trekking safari experience takes place on foot in the middle of impenetrable jungles. You have an hour to observe the apes after finding them, during which time you can see them playing, interacting with their parents, somersaulting, and more. The mothers spoil their off springs. They share nests and take turns enjoying the breast milk until it’s time to eat some greenery.

But what’s needed to participate in either of the two activities? It is only allowed for people over 15 to go gorilla trekking or become habituated. A gorilla trekking permit costs 800 USD for non-resident foreigners, 300,000 UGX for citizens of Uganda and East Africa, and 700 USD for residents of other countries. The funds are only used to pay for park entrance fees and the services of the ranger guide who leads you through the forest. Along with helping those who live close to the park, like the Batwa pygmies, the collection also advances conservation efforts.

Although gorillas are calm and amiable, they will defend themselves if they feel threatened. It is expected of visitors to keep their composure and posture as it gets closer to them. The gorillas attack by tearing up leaves, somersaulting, hooting, sprinting on two legs, and thudding their chests in a show of power, among other actions.

Following the instructions of the ranger guides is essential to an absolutely amazing safari. When entering someone else’s territory, there are a number of rules to abide by. These include, but are not limited to, not creating noise, disposing of human waste properly, keeping a minimum of 7 metres between you and gorillas, taking pictures without flash, not posing as silverbacks, and not staring into apes’ eyes.

Do Gorillas eat their Babies?
Do Gorillas eat their Babies?

Best time to encounter gorillas in Africa.

Gorillas are present in the park throughout the year, and visitors have a better than 98% chance of seeing one. However, the dry months of June through September and late December through early February are the best times to travel to Africa for gorilla trekking due to the great weather. When travelling on a tight budget, take advantage of the lower hotel rates from March to May and from October to early December.

Families of gorillas share close relationships with their young. They never consume them. Discover the real uniqueness of these our cousins by travelling to the African continent for gorilla trekking safaris.

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