Intimidating Silverback Gorilla Stops Traffic To Make Sure His Family Crosses The Road Safely
A silverback gorilla stepped into traffic in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the reason was as protective as it was unforgettable.
BBC reporter Gordon Buchanan and his team were filming in Kahuzi-Biega National Park when they spotted the adult male waiting behind thick bushes, watching for the right moment to cross a busy dirt road. He was not alone, either, because his family was with him, including young gorillas that needed extra care.
When the road finally cleared, the silverback took charge and made sure every member of his troop got across safely. Read on.
Look at how massive the silverback gorilla is
Experts estimate that there are fewer than 900 gorillas living in the wild. They can only be found in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The gorilla population has suffered significantly in the past decades due to illegal poaching, human encroachment, and civil conflict. Since then, volunteers, governments, and non-profit organizations have been working tirelessly to promote their conservation.
Although the fight to prevent the extinction of mountain gorillas is a continuing uphill battle, hope is not lost. Recent reports have shown that the gorilla population has been steadily growing over the past few years.
Here's the adult silverback gorilla in charge of protecting his family.
He is looking around the area to check for any other potential threats. He is aware of every sound and movement in his vicinity.
When a silverback gorilla feels threatened, he will stand on his hind legs, beat his chest, growl aggressively, and charge at the threat. Normally, gorillas are gentle and are even considered shy.
And speaking of the internet’s “gorilla vs humans” obsession, a primatologist tackles the 100 men vs one gorilla debate.
The adult male gorilla seems to be staring down the oncoming truck.
His absolute confidence in his ability to protect his troop is evident in the way he remains still as his whole family crosses the road. He did not move an inch until everyone was safely across the road.
Humans may have breached his mountain and his home, but he knows this is still his territory. Not even a truck would dare cross this gorilla's path.
You can watch the full footage captured by the BBC crew here:
It's amazing to see that silverback gorillas, just like humans, value familial relationships.
Want more silverback teamwork? See how three brothers guard 22 female gorillas.
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