"Marcel" the Mountain Gorilla
As far as I know, this is the only detailed image showing a Mountain Gorilla actually beating his chest. Note his fingers indenting his flesh. Our visit occurred early on, when people first started visiting the mountain gorillas in the Virunga Mountains.The guides had named him Marcel.The gorillas were then not acclimated to visitor presence, and this alpha male came charging down the narrow forest path towards us on all-fours. Our guide, who had already advised us to stand perfectly still, kept whispering: "Don't move! Don't move!" (The penalty for fleeing might have resulted in the gorilla's taking a large bite out of the fleeing guest's rear end). The gorilla stopped about 10 feet from us, and we just stared at each other for a few minutes, and then he finally walked, on all four's, back into the bushes. Gorillas are exclusively herbivores. [Virunga Mts., The Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly called Zaire)].
Marcel
Marcel trying to frighten us before he charged. Even though we had had the preliminary instructions and warnings about not running, he was still an awesome sight to behold. He was being gigged on by his alpha female to drive us off, probably out of concern for her infant. But we followed our instructions, and he calmed down. Their act is mostly bluff, but you may get severely bitten if you try to run away. Marcel probably weighed around 400 lbs.[Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly 'Zaire')].
Marcelline and Marcel
From L>R: Marcelline is the alpha female who seemed to have an authority amongst the group exceeded only by Marcel himself. This photo provides a good comparison of the difference in head-shape between the two sexes, i.e., the large brow ridge on the male's head, and its much different shape. As I said before, the names are given to the gorillas by the guides to facilitate discussion among themselves, the staff, and the tourists. [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly 'Zaire')].
Marceline and Baby
The alpha female, Marceline, holding her infant. [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly 'Zaire')].
Marceline and Baby
Marceline giving her baby a ride on her back. For the first 15-18 months, the infant spends a lot of time clinging to its mother's fur, as she moves about feeding in the forest. [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly 'Zaire')].
Marcel in Tree
On one of our three visits, Marcel was sitting 25 feet up in a crotch of a tree when we arrived, but he quickly climbed down (see next image) to join and protect his family--if need be. He had hauled his 400 lbs.up the 200 foot high tree simply by joining his hands around the trunk, and gripping the bark with his feet. There were no other branches between the ground and the crotch where he sat. A gorilla's arms and shoulders are enormously strong; the arms have a 7-foot span. [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly 'Zaire')].
Marcel in Tree
Marcel descends the tree to rejoin his family. You can clearly see his silver back, and get a good impression of his massive 400+ pound body. (See previous image & caption). [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly 'Zaire')].
Mountain Gorilla Female
A mature female Mountain Gorilla--one of Marcel's harem, but not his alpha female. [Virunga Mountains, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly 'Zaire')].
Mtn. Gorilla Juvenile
This Mountain Gorilla juvenile is chewing on some bamboo. Mountain gorillas are exclusively herbivorous. [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly 'Zaire')].
Female Mtn. Gorilla Eating Vine
Another adult female Mountain Gorilla--not the alpha female, eating Hagenia vine. [Virunga Mts., Democratic Repub. of the Congo (formerly 'Zaire')].
Black-Backed Mtn. Gorilla
A black-backed Mountain Gorilla is younger than the silverback and has not developed the white/gray hair on his back, but he is still larger than Lowland Gorillas. The fully mature males may weigh 400 pounds; the females about one-half that. Contrary to lore, they are very docile. Although the silver-backs are great bluffers, they are not cowards! They will defend members of their family to the their death--and many have been forced to do so by individuals trying to capture one of the young for some illicit purpose. This is inexcusably cruel, because it inevitably results in the death of the silverback, the survivors become hapless and lost without their leader, causing the family to break-up. Though attempted many times, NO MOUNTAIN GORILLA HAS EVER SURVIVED MORE THAN A FEW MONTHS IN CAPTIVITY. Those gorillas seen in zoos are the smaller lowland gorilla species. [Virunga Mts., Rwanda].
Black-Backed Mtn. Gorilla
This adult black-back Mountain Gorilla was just sitting in the jungle rubbing the underside of his chin. He will not be involved with any females, and he will be respectful of the silverback.[Virunga Mts., Rwanda].
Adult Femal Mtn. Gorilla
An adult female Mountain Gorilla standing on a tree-limb: These large primates are remarkably agile and strong, enabling them to climb about in trees with ease. [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo,].
Mtn. Gorilla Juvenile Female
A Mountain Gorilla Juvenile female, like this one, can be very curious and friendly. I have had them approach me and jump onto my arms. The dominant male resents this, and if he sees it, he will immediately push me away and grab his youngster. [Virunga Mts., Rwanda].
Mtn. Gorilla Female
A sub-adult Mountain Gorilla female seems to be having a pensive moment. Mountain Gorillas spend most of their waking hours eating various vines (young shoots of bamboo, hagenia, etc.). The gorilla, as mentioned previously, is completely herbivorous. [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly 'Zaire')].
Mtn. Gorilla Juvenile
A Mountain Gorilla Juvenile, about 3 years old, playing on the branches of a bush. [Virunga Mts., Rwanda].
Mtn. Gorilla Juvenile
Mountain Gorilla: juvenile, about 2 years old, swinging from a branch. Note its already husky, muscular arm. [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo ('formerly 'Zaire')].
Mtn. Gorilla Juvenile
A Mountain Gorilla juvenile climbing in a bush. (the same youngster as in the previous image). [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly 'Zaire')].
Mtn Gorilla on Guide's Shoulder
A Mountain Gorilla youngster, probably less than 2 years old, ran out from a bush and jumped up on the guide's shoulder. The silverback alpha male was there, and he showed his disapproval by snatching his infant and pushing the guide backwards onto the forest floor. No one was hurt, and we all and the guide, had a good laugh. [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly 'Zaire)].
Marcel Seizes Guide (see previous)
As mentioned in the preceding image, the alpha male silverback Mountain Gorilla grabed the guide's arm as he pushed him away from his youngster, bowling him over onto his back (see previous image).The guide wasn't hurt. We all laughed, but we were impressed by how effortlessly the gorilla moved the full-grown man away--like we would remove a child. [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly 'Zaire')].
Mountain Gorilla-Nosey Female-1
One time we were there, we met a curious adult female Mountain Gorilla on a narrow forest path. She was very bow-legged, causing her to waddle from side to side as she walked. She and I tried to pass one another, but she accidentally 'hip-checked' me into the bushes. I was unhurt and able to right myself in time to catch these images of her pick-pocketing our friend's bag, and fanny-pack, where the gorilla had spied an unfamiliar object, a protruding leather glove (see next 2 Images of this series). [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly 'Zaire)].
Mountain Gorilla-Nosey Female-2
Second Image: Mountain Gorilla- a curious female who has been attracted by a leather bag and glove protruding from this lady's fanny pack. (See caption of previous image). [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly 'Zaire')].
Mountain Gorilla-Nosey Female-3
3rd Image: The curious female Mountain Gorilla in the two preceding images is sniffing hard at the leather glove she had just pulled out of our friend's fanny pack, trying to figure out what the strange object was.[Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly 'Zaire')].
Mtn. Gorilla Alpha Female
Mountain Gorilla mother--the alpha female--with her 4-5 month Infant. Females breed very infrequently, perhaps 6-8 times in a lifetime, thus explaining their specie's scarcity, AND their need for protection! The Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly 'Zairre')].
Mtn. Gorilla Family
The Mountain Gorilla silverback, partially hidden in the foliage, and the alpha female, with her Infant: A family picture. [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly 'Zaire')].
Silverback Mtn. Gorilla
A Mountain Gorilla silverback weighs about 400 pounds. Note the prominent brow ridge and shape of his head as compared to the mature female. [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly 'Zaire')].
"Oscar" 1st Image
Ist Image: This is Oscar, a different Mountain Gorilla male. He is displeased about something. He and his family live in a different part of the forest. The guides give the gorilla silverbacks, and the big females, english or french names to facilitate their conversations with the tourists and themselves. The size of the alpha male's mouth is an impressive sight, and its armed with good teeth and strong jaws. [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly 'Zaire')].
"Oscar" 2nd Image
This is Oscar again, still unhappy! His teeth are worn down somewhat, but still capable of inflicting a serious wound. The big males know the consequences of a serious confrontation with oneanother; thus, they usually settle with display and threat gestures, and avoid having an actual fight. [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo].
Mountain Gorilla-(F) Feeding
A mature female Mountain Gorilla feeding on a hagenia vine. The absence of the prominent brow ridge and large dome-shaped skull is much different than the mature male's, as pointed out in some of the preceeding images. [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly 'Zaire)].
Mtn Gorilla
This Mountain Gorilla youngster is studying me intently, but he was completely relaxed about our presence. This suggests that this picture was taken on one of our later trips in what formerly was eastern Zaire. By then, the gorillas had been visited by many tourists. [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo].
Mountain Gorilla-Juvenile
Mountain Gorilla youngster, about three years old. The three times Babs (my wife) and I visited the mountain gorillas, it was prohibited to use a flash when photographing. The reasons given then was that it might frighten them and cause them to react viciously to our presence. I have no knowledge about the rules now, many years later. [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo].
Mtn Gorilla Talking?
The young male Mountain Gorilla was emitting sounds. Maybe he was trying to talk to me. One is strongly drawn to them because their behavior is so reminiscent of ours. [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly 'Zaire')].
Marcel Barking
Mountain Gorilla Marcel is 'barking' and in a bad mood. His teeth are much less worn than Oscar's (seen previously). I think that he was upset about someone in his family. [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly 'Zaire')].
Marcel Barking
Marcel is barking out some commands, which promptly got the attention of the others. Note that his teeth are less worn, suggesting that he is probably in his mid 40's. {Democratic Republic of the Congo, (formerly 'Zaire')].
Marcel Puzzled
Mountain Gorilla Marcel seems puzzled-1st Image: This picture and the next one were taken after he calmed down from his mock charge. We could readily observe his expression, because he was standing only about 10 ft. away. He seemed to be more curious than aggressive. We could hear him being scolded by his alpha female who wanted him to to chase us away. But I think he was mostly curious about us. Mountain Gorillas are not aggressive so long as they do not feel threatened. [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly 'Zaire')].
Marcel
2nd Image: This image of Mountain Gorilla Marcel was taken a few moments after the previous one. He's settled down and decided that he didn't need to get aggressive with these creatures standing before him. (Please see previous image & caption). [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly 'Zaire')].
Marcel Watching
I think that Marcel had made up his mind that we were no threat to his family, but he thought he should still keep an eye on us. Note the well-developed brow-ridge in this full frontal view. [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly 'Zaire')].
Marcel Grimacing
Mountain Gorilla Marcel watching from the bushes: We heard grunting which might have been to reassure Marcelline, his alpha female, hidden in the folliage. [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly 'Zaire')].
Marcel Ordering Family
Mountain Gorilla Marcel was ordering the other members of his family. They stopped their activity, looked up, and appeared to pay attention to him. [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly 'Zaire')].
Marcel on Knees
Marcel is on his knees in the bushes, and watching us, as we stood watching him and his family. [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly 'Zaire')].
Marcel Pouting
Marcel's expression looks like he's just surveying the situation. He seemed very calm. [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly 'Zaire')].
Marcel "Thinking"
A few minutes before this was taken, the whole family was busy eating, when Marcel suddenly called for a rest-period. They all gathered and lay down in a tight group on the forest floor. He was lying at the front-center with his chin resting on his clenched hand. The smaller ones cuddled next to Marcel, lavashing affection on him. My wife and I were observing them standing no more than ten feet away. After about ten minutes, he made a grunt-like sound and they all got up and returned to their eating in the bushes and trees. [Virunga Mts., Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly 'Zaire')].