When wildlife photographer Gordon Buchanan and his BBC crew traveled in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, they both hoped for some unique encounters with the endangered silverback gorillas.
However, none of them had ever hoped for such an incredible sight. The filmmakers have accidentally captured a moment that shows how protective these majestic animals are when it comes to their families!
The crews were at Kahuzi-Biega National Park, having witnessed a once-in-a-lifetime moment. They were on a path through the forest, with the camera on, when a giant silverback gorilla made its way out into the bushes. Seeing such a scene, everyone was very excited, but they didn’t know what the giant ape was planning.
But as soon as the big man reached the middle of the road, he froze there, full of confidence, despite being followed by so many eyes. Even a truck full of goods headed his way and didn’t seem to alarm him.
This is his territory. Then, with the head of the family ensuring the road was safe, the whole family from mother to child casually crossed, with the bold man the last to find his way through the bushes from across the street.
Silver gorillas, like most other apes, are overprotective when it comes to their families. All of them are ready to protect the babies, even with their own lives if necessary.
“Mothers are very protective of their children; many have paid with their lives trying to protect their cubs against po.a.c.hers,” reads the Gorilla Highlands website. “Children learn a lot from their mothers and other troop members that bringing the rescued gorillas into the wild is very difficult. ”
Check out the incredible moment below!
Discussion about this post