Per our partners at the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, the gorillas are tracked to ensure their ongoing protection and to better understand their behavior, ecology, genetic diversity, and habitat requirements—all of which is essential to developing effec
The gorillas are not physically tagged, so tracking consists of teams of trackers following the trail of the gorilla groups they monitor until they find them each day and then they use GPS devices to gather and record information. Learn more about ho
Not at all! The gorillas have become indifferent to the presence of the trackers and to ensure their ongoing health, trackers spend just enough time with the gorillas to ensure they are all present and healthy.
The two subspecies tracked by the Fossey Fund—mountain gorillas and Grauer’s gorillas—are endangered and critically endangered, respectively. A population of just over 1,000 mountain gorillas remains, while the Grauer’s gorillas in the Democratic Rep
Just like humans, every gorilla has a unique and individual personality! Young gorillas tend to be more energetic and playful, becoming more calm as they mature. Adult gorillas are gentle, curious, and quite shy—though they spend less time playing, t
Just like human dads, gorilla dads know how to have fun with their little ones! They are incredibly patient, often acting as jungle gyms for infants who lay on and roll off their backs. Silverbacks (adult males) spend time caring for and socializing
Adult males can grow to about 6 feet tall when standing, and weigh up to 450 pounds!
Chest-beating is one of the most iconic sounds in the animal kingdom and can be heard over a kilometer away (just over a half mile). Gorillas will cup their hands and beat rapidly to indicate their body size and competitive ability to rival males as