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Gorilla gorilla gorilla

Despite being habituated, you still have to abide by Kingo's rules, unless you want a charging silverback in your face. Don't be between Kingo and the group, food, or where he is going. Front Cover.
The members of Kingo's troop sit in a tree late in the morning.
Beatrice, seen as the most gentle of the gorillas, holds her young child, Gentil.
The swamp, like the forest, is full of thorny undergrowth and vines, and is home to biting ants and angry wasps. Kusu is traversing through the vines in an attempt to stay out of the water.
Mama looks up into the canopy in search of ripe fruit. She is he highest-ranking female of the group, and often travels far in the search of food, leaving her son Kusu with Kingo.
Ugli is the one member of the group that never took to habituation. At times she will be close to Kingo, but in general she spends her time farther from the group. The researchers said she had a
Kingo's role in the group is that of a leader. During the day the troop can run into elephants, chimpanzees, and other gorillas; and it is Kingo who must navigate through these interactions.
Confronted with an elephant, Kingo has no choice but to slink away, which puts him in a bad mood for the rest of the day. When confronted by another silverback, Kingo's group often went silent and quietly moved away.
Kusu mimics Kingo, and bluff charges the photographer during the siesta time of the day. One quickly sees from watching the gorillas they act as a family unit. It is one of the earliest social contracts; you need someone to watch your back.
Kingo chest beats in the early morning in an attempt to call the females in closer. He spends much of his time waiting for the females to appear, as they can range far from the group in search of favored foods.
When visiting the swamp, Kingo would often wade into the middle, eating plants and herbs until content.
Wary of the swamp, the females of the troop stick to the edges, away from deep water.
Researchers have observed females clapping, and here Ekendy claps with water on his hands. The children are constantly testing their environment, and show great curiosity.
With a shake of the fist, Kingo cleans off his meal of water herbs. They would never eat the herbs without first giving them a good wash and shake. Ekendy and Kusu would mimic the washing behavior of their parents.
After a morning in the swamp, Kingo waits for the females to reach his spot. Kusu sits in the back, spending the day with Kingo, as his mother Mama searches for food.
Mama enjoys a bambu fruit while Kusu sits out of reach. Food competition is high in the group, even among mother and child. The highest ranking individuals take the best food for themselves.
During the hot part of the day, the troop lays down for an afternoon nap.
By far the most motherly of the group, Beatrice was enamored with her Gentil. While Mekome was known to forget Ekendy high up in trees in search of fruit.
The juvenile of the group is George, a young female who was initially thought to be a male, hence the name.
Ekendy lays down with Mecombe during the hot part of the day.
Kingo and Ekendy get to the same eye level.
Mama pops termites in her mouth after breaking into a termite mound. Foraging on termites is part of the western lowland gorillas diet.
Beatrice clings to her child and a pile of sticky bambu fruit she made in the shade of a thicket.
During the habituation, George's mother left the group, leaving her at the bottom of the hierarchy.
Mecombe and George tended to stick together, but in general the females did not interact.
Kusu and Ekendy were so wired at times they would drive their mothers away, leaving Kingo with two wild kids jumping on his back as he tried to rest.
Play is often initiated with a playful chest beat. George is trying to entice Kusu to play while mama was out of sight.
As the adults take a long afternoon nap, Kusu and Ekendy play to their heart's content.
Lowland gorillas are listed as critically endangered on the IUCN red list. Supporting conservation efforts and having an understanding of the issues contributing to their decline can help save these beautiful animals.
Back Cover.

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