Are gorillas dangerous?
How dangerous are gorillas? Understanding their behaviour in the wild.
Are gorillas dangerous? It is interesting to note that gorillas have almost the same genes as people, with only a 4% difference between humans’ and gorillas’ DNA. Though they look peaceful and harmless at first glance, if you get into gorillas’ way and make them feel endangered, they may become very aggressive. Mountain gorillas usually appear very vicious, while they are actually peaceful beings in general.
The strongest among gorillas are males, which are called silverbacks. They have very sharp and long teeth that can easily inflict some injuries on an opponent. In case two different groups of gorillas meet each other, the silverbacks are likely to start a conflict that ends up being quite brutal, as they can kill babies of another family when taking control over their group.
All in all, gorillas are not very dangerous animals, preferring to keep calm in most cases. At the same time, they are still wild animals that can show aggression from time to time, especially when feeling threatened for any reason.
Things to know about Gorillas
Males will be aggressive towards anything that they consider to be a danger to their troop. They could be aggressive towards something they think poses any form of danger, even if there actually isn’t any danger. It is important, therefore, to introduce the gorilla to human beings slowly before taking people to view them. The unhabituated gorillas would attack anyone who tried to come near them.
When do gorillas become dangerous
Gorillas rarely attack without a reason that makes complete sense within their own social logic. A silverback, the dominant male, recognisable by the silver saddle of hair across his back, is hardwired to protect his troop. His entire identity is built around that responsibility. Anything that reads as a threat to his females or young will trigger a defensive response.
Direct, sustained eye contact mimics a dominance challenge in gorilla society. Running away triggers a pursuit instinct. More so, getting too close to an infant, even accidentally, can provoke the most intense defensive response in the silverback’s repertoire. Flash photography, loud noises, and sudden movements all register as threatening stimuli to an animal that has no framework for understanding a camera or a tourist shouting with excitement.
How To Avoid Gorilla Attacks
As we have mentioned before, gorillas are friendly animals. But at the same time, they are wild creatures that may attack humans if they sense danger. Should you meet these magnificent creatures, keep in mind the following recommendations so as not to provoke any attacks.
Notice gorillas’ behaviour; if they start beating their chests, showing other kinds of aggression, you should step away.
- Avoid any kind of direct eye contact or exposing your teeth to the gorillas, as this can be treated as an offence.
- Do not use cameras with flashes or torches near the gorillas, as they may perceive this behaviour as a threat.
- Avoid putting on the wrong colours of safari clothing
- Give the gorillas the space they need
Are Habituated Gorillas Potentially Dangerous?
Gorillas are usually perceived as dangerous and violent creatures, but the truth is that they are gentle beings. In their natural state, gorillas are shy animals and usually only become aggressive when they perceive any danger around them. It is important to understand that gorillas are not as dangerous as they are depicted to be.
In most cases where gorillas have been involved in attacking humans, the animals have either been in zoo settings or captive places where they have been removed from their natural environments. The truth is that gorillas are safe as long as they are living freely in their natural environment.
By following the gorilla habituation process, a lot of gorillas have been successfully habituated for people to observe in their natural habitat. This process of gorilla habituation is quite difficult, but it is rewarding because it makes gorillas interact more closely with humans during mountain gorilla treks.
What to Do, Silverback, and What Not to Do When a Gorilla Charges
What to DO
Stay completely still
The moment a gorilla begins to charge, freeze. Plant your feet and resist every urge to move. Stillness communicates that you are not a threat; movement communicates the opposite.
Crouch down slowly
Lower your body gradually into a crouching position. Making yourself smaller signals submission in gorilla body language, the most powerful non-verbal message you can send.
Stay quiet
Keep your mouth closed. Suppress any urge to gasp, shout, or whisper to the person beside you. Sound, especially sudden sound, registers as an alarm and can escalate the situation.
Keep your arms low and close to your body
Resist any instinct to raise your hands to protect your face or to wave others back. Raised arms make you appear larger, a direct challenge to a silverback’s authority. Keep your arms pressed close to your sides or folded low across your body. The goal is to occupy as little visual and physical space as possible throughout the entire encounter.
Breathe slowly and steadily
Controlled breathing helps suppress the visible signs of panic: rapid chest movement, trembling, and sudden jerks. Slow, deliberate breaths help you hold your composure when your instincts are screaming.
What NOT to do
Never run
Running is the single most dangerous response. A gorilla can reach 40 km/h; you cannot outrun it. More critically, running triggers a pursuit instinct and turns a bluff charge into a real one.
Never stare directly back
Holding a gorilla’s gaze is an act of confrontation, not bravery. It signals that you are issuing a counter-challenge to a dominant animal, which is the last thing you want to communicate.
Never scream or shout
Screaming amplifies perceived threat. Even a shout of surprise can cause the gorilla to escalate from a display charge to physical contact. Silence is the discipline that protects you.
Never raise your arms
Raising your arms above your head makes you appear larger, a direct challenge to a silverback’s dominance. Keep your arms low and tucked close to your body throughout the encounter.
Never use flash photography
A camera flash is interpreted as a sudden, aggressive burst of light. It startles gorillas and can instantly trigger a defensive charge in an otherwise calm animal. Flash is forbidden on all treks.
Never turn your back
Turning away is not the same as averting your gaze. Spinning around removes you from the gorilla’s line of sight, an unpredictable movement that could provoke rather than defuse the situation.
Never try to touch the gorilla
Even if a gorilla comes extremely close, do not reach out. Physical contact removes any remaining ambiguity about your intentions. It also carries serious disease-transmission risks for both parties.
Never ignore your guide
Panic causes people to stop hearing instructions. Make a conscious decision before the trek begins: whatever your guide says, you will obey it immediately. That commitment could be the most important one you make
