Yes, gorillas do fight each other but fights occur depending on the group’s stability where they belong. Fights among gorillas often erupt among the males (silverbacks). Before the fight begins, certain warning signs can be displayed including pounding the ground, chest-beating, and loud hoots. At times, they charge at each other, break vegetation, and bare their fangs.
What are the signs that silverback gorillas are about to fight?
Chest-beating: Silverback gorillas often start by beating their chests loudly. This is one way in which they try to show power –who is who!
Charging: By all means, silverbacks first charge at each other a sign that the fight may erupt at any time. Charging is one way in which gorillas display anger or show that they are not happy.
Baring fangs. Fangs are often showcased to show their strength.
Breaking vegetation. If it happens that you are in the jungle trekking to see gorillas, you may come across a group of gorillas or hear them breaking vegetation. Throwing and tearing vegetation are all warning signs to their opponents.
Stamping. Silverback gorillas can begin stamping the ground to show their strength.
What happens on the actual fight?
Silverback gorillas often use their strong canine teeth to bite while the strong muscular hands are used for beating. When fighting, they can cause deep injuries and at times drag their opponents.
Reasons why gorillas fight each other
Gorillas don’t wake up any time and start fighting. Like humans or other species, there are reasons why gorillas engage in the fight. The top reasons why gorillas fight include protection, dominance, females and reproduction rights, etc.
Protection
Gorillas fight mainly to protect their groups from enemies. When invaded by another silverback, the main silverback of the particular family being invaded can engage in a fight with the intruders. It should be noted that silverback gorillas take charge of the families to ensure that the rest of the members are safe and secure. At times some silverback gorillas invade other families and want to walk away with some of the group’s members. This often doesn’t come lightly as the main silverback gorilla can fight hard to protect its members.
Dominance
Attaining leadership roles in the gorilla family or groups in the jungle often doesn’t come lightly. When the male gorillas mature, they could want to be dominant leaders in the group. Unfortunately, only one male gorilla leads the group. This usually results in fights to take power or leadership of the family.
Family breakups
A group of mountain gorillas with many males can end up breaking away when they reach the maturity stage. In the process, fights can erupt as one male may want to grab some of the main gorilla group’s members to begin his own group.
Lone silverback encounter
Fights usually happen when the lone silverback gorilla and silverback meet. The lone silverback may also want to grab some of the individuals from other families to join him.
What to do when gorillas are fighting
- Keep yourself calm.
- Maintain a safe distance away from gorillas in a fight.
- Avoid any interference including sudden movement, screaming/yelling, or any kind of intervention.
- Observe your park ranger guide instructions.
Where to see gorillas?
The best places to visit to unearth more about mountain gorillas in the wild include Uganda and Rwanda. Each of these countries has families of habituated families of mountain gorillas to be tracked by visitors.
Where to travel to see gorillas in Uganda?
While in Uganda, the two epic destinations to consider a must-visit for mountain gorilla encounters include Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. A visit to either Mgahinga or Bwindi on a gorilla tour mainly involves exploring more about mountain gorillas.
The available gorilla groups to explore in Bwindi include Mubare, Mucunguzi group, Nshongi, Habinyanja, Rushegura gorilla family, Oruzogo, Bweza, Kyaguriro, Kahungye, Nkuringo, Bitukura and others. These habituated gorilla families can be accessed from the 4 regions or trailheads in Bwindi including Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga, and Nkuringo.
At Mgahinga, gorilla treks begin from Ntebeko, and the available group to explore is Nyakagezi.
Mountain gorillas in Rwanda can be tracked in Volcanoes National Park Ruhengeri. The gorilla families to track include Agashya, Hirwa group, Amahoro, Susa A, Kwitonda, Umubano gorilla family, Umubano, Sabyinyo, and Karisimbi, etc.
What you require to track gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda
The most essential tool for gorilla trekking is a valid gorilla permit. The cost of permits for gorilla trekking isn’t the same across Uganda and Rwanda. In Uganda, foreign non-residents can book a gorilla permit at USD 800 per person, foreign residents USD 700, the rest of Africa can secure their permits at USD 500 per visitor and lastly, all Ugandans/East African citizens pay UGX 300,000.
Rwanda gorilla trekking permits cost USD 1500 per visitor. Securing a gorilla permit can be done safely through a reliable tour operator. It is advisable to have your permit booked in advance and don’t wait until the last minute. We recommend that you have your tour plus permit booked at least 2-6 months before the actual visit to any park to track mountain gorillas.