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The Great Apes
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Daryl Balfour:
Silverback Kwitonda - which means 'the humble one' in the kinyarwanda dialect of Rwanda, emerges from the jungle as members of his family prostrate themselves on the forest floor before him. He may be humble, but judging by the number of youngsters in his family he's pretty active with the ladies! I guess that's enough to make most guys humble?  *This image is copyright of its original author Silverback stare-down! Mountain gorillas are gentle giants, but when the world's largest and oldest silverback gives you "the look" you simply lower your eyes and act submissive!  *This image is copyright of its original author
Credits to Daryl Balfour.
This shot shows the huge silverback Guhonda of the famous Sabyinyo Group feeding on eucalyptus bark and epidermis...with an infant down below following dad's example! Of special interest, this is "learned adaptive feeding"...eucalyptus have only been planted here over the past 120-100 years, but the gorillas actively seek it out to treat respiratory or chest problems, a perfect example of how the Great Apes self-medicate. Self medication by these intelligent primates, plus chimpanzees, bonobos and lowland gorillas, is the subject of intensive research by the Kyoto University in Japan. Who knows...the apes could lead us to discover cures for diseases we still have no treatments for!  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
From the Fossey Fund Gorilla Blog, Two silverbacks fighting over a female:
A female gorilla who lives in one of the mountain gorilla groups monitored daily by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund has become the object of intense interest by two silverbacks in her group. Twelve-year-old Kubana is one of three females in her group, and a point of contention between silverbacks Pato and Urwibutso. Kubana (on left) with silverback Urwibutso  *This image is copyright of its original author Since the beginning of July, the two silverbacks have engaged in violent fights with each other, in reaction to the attempts of one or the other to approach Kubana. Our staff assumes that it is Kubana's reproductive receptiveness that is attracting them, but in this group there is another problem -- a lack of clear silverback dominance. Since the death of the former dominant silverback in this group (Turakora) in March, the two remaining silverbacks have not yet established a dominance hierarchy. That means it is not clear which one of them should have greater "access" to Kubana. Unfortunately, this competition for Kubana has resulted in several injuries for the silverbacks, and no actual mating opportunities for either of them! Submitted by Veronica Vecellio, Karisoke Research Center Photo by Jordi Galbany 
Does anyone know if there are areas in Africa that have both chimps and gorillas? If so, what is the nature of their interactions?
From Fossey Fund Gorilla Blog, Gorilla infants born at two of our research sites:
Fossey Fund trackers report that mountain gorilla Kurudi has just given birth, and that they found her holding the newborn this morning. Kurudi lives in Titus group, which has two silverbacks -- Pato and Urwibutso. Both were displaying when trackers arrived. Mother Kurudi is 20 years old and this is her fourth infant, though the others are no longer living. There are two other adult females in this group that we expect will give birth some time this year as well -- Imvune and Kubana. Kurudi with new infant. Photo by Jordi Galbany  *This image is copyright of its original author Titus group is named after the late legendary silverback Titus, but now has two young silverbacks with true dominance yet to be determined. Sometimes it seems as though Pato is the preferred one, while at other times it seems to be Urwibutso. The former dominant silverback, Turakora, died in March after an unknown illness, leaving behind this confusing situation. Also this week, one of our staff recorded the birth of a Grauer's gorilla infant in Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo. The Grauer's gorillas here are the only habituated members of this highly endangered subspecies, and are protected by the Congolese park authorities (ICCN). While assisting with research and monitoring, the Fossey Fund's Dr. Amy Porter reported seeing the mother-to-be pass by her with no infant, then 10 minutes later appear with a wet newborn, umbilical cord hanging off, while the other gorillas gathered around to inspect. Grauer's gorilla with new infant. Photo by Amy Porter  *This image is copyright of its original author
Not sure where it's from but still cool none the less
 *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
Kwitonda Group. Credits to Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge.
Without a doubt, Silverbacks are the best fathers in the wild. These are two videos, click on them to play.  (08-14-2016, 09:11 PM)Majingilane Wrote: Kwitonda Group. Credits to Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge. This. Even better than lion males and even most human males at fathering their children. Emotional, physical, mental support....go to either the troop leader or the father. They always take charge for their members' needs, and that includes their children, night and day. 
Photo and information credits: Alex Kirichko
Curiosity. 6 month old mountain gorilla baby. Uganda, Bwindi National Park. August 2016.  *This image is copyright of its original author Silverback. Uganda. Bwindi National Park. August 2016.  *This image is copyright of its original author Silverback. Dominant male mountain gorilla. Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park. August 2016.  *This image is copyright of its original author
I love the last picture, looks like he's putting his guard up to fight.
haha TFS
The great Silverback Cantsbee, leader of the Pablo group (Pablo was his half-brother, and former leader of the group). Credits to Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International.
Cantsbee is one of the oldest Silverbacks in the mountains, and one of the last gorillas alive met by Dian Fossey, along with his aunt Poppy. He will be 38 years old in November this year, and yet look at him. He looks amazing.  *This image is copyright of its original author
From Gorilla Doctors, Two Kyagurilo Gorillas Injured in Altercation Between Groups:
Gorilla Doctors veterinarians in Bwindi National Park are keeping a close eye on two gorillas from the Kyaguliro group after they suffered injuries during an altercation with an unhabituated gorilla group in the area. Rukara, the dominant silverback in the Kyagurilo group and Kabandizea, one of two blackbacks, were reported injured on July 27. Gorilla Doctors veterinarian Dr. Ricky visited the group to observe the injuries and determine any next steps. Rukara, the silverback, suffered a forearm injury and his pinky finger was cut off near the joint. The wounds were dry, clean and free of secondary bacterial infections. There was no pus or swelling, and there were no flies around the wound. Kabandizea, the blackback, had a wound through the joint of his left pinky finger. It appeared to be a bite wound, but like Rukara’s, it was dry, clean and showed no signs of bacterial infection during Gorilla Doctors’ inspection. “Both gorillas were active, bright, alert and responsive during the assessment,” said Dr. Ricky, who decided that it would not be immediately necessary to conduct a full clinical intervention (with anesthesia) to treat the wounds. Instead, he asked that trackers continue to monitor the injured gorillas and the group and let Gorilla Doctors know if any of them show signs of worsening injuries or new illness. “Although the wound appears to be painful, the gorillas were feeding and walking normally,” said Dr. Ricky. “Should there be sign of any infection, an intervention for treatment will be evaluated for both.” Silverback Rukara  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author Blackback Kabandize's wound on his right finger.  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
From Virunga National Park's blog, RUGENDO AND NYAKAMWE FAMILIES GET A VISIT FROM THE GORILLA DOCTORS: Thanks go out to Gorilla Doctors Martin Kabuyaya and Eddy Kambale for these stunning images.
Adult female Janja’s baby striking a pose – Rugendo family  *This image is copyright of its original author During the first week of June, Gorilla Doctor Martin Kabuyaya and Virunga’s rangers performed routine health checks on the Rugendo and Nyakamwe mountain gorilla families. Both groups were found to be in excellent health and thriving. This is exactly the news everyone hoped to receive. To give you a better feel for the two families, we thought it would be helpful to share some of their history. Rugendo family The Rugendo family is comprised mostly of survivors of the shocking gorilla murders of 2007. This group has endured a number of hardships since that terrible day in July when six of the group’s 12 members were shot. In July 2009, rangers found blackback Bariyanga dead in the forest. His death was the result of a violent confrontation with adult males from a non-habituated group, but it was tragic nonetheless. Then in July 2013, the Rugendo family made the mistake of raiding a maize crop and were chased off by angry villagers. Janja’s baby was not fast enough to stay ahead of the people in pursuit and was fatally wounded by a machete strike. For the last three years, though, life in the Rugendo family has been good. Janja trying to catch a nap while her little one looms above  *This image is copyright of its original author Rugendo blackback Noël hanging out with Janja’s baby  *This image is copyright of its original author Up in the tree, hanging with Noël, looking dignified here with female juvenile Mastaki… Janja’s little one tried to make the most of every photo opportunity.  *This image is copyright of its original author Silverback Bukima – Leader of the Rugendo family  *This image is copyright of its original author Nyakamwe family Silverback Nyakamwe grew up in the Humba group and when he reached maturity, he began challenging Humba for dominance. These challenges went on for several years and both males inflicted serious wounds on one another. Eventually, Nyakamwe was able to split the group and start his own family. What goes around comes around though, and before long, Nyakamwe began having his authority challenged by blackback Semakuba. Silverback Nyakamwe remains in charge but he’ll need to be increasingly vigilant as Semakuba reaches full maturity. Leader – Silverback Nyakamwe  *This image is copyright of its original author Precious beyond words – Kanyarunga and her baby  *This image is copyright of its original author Blackback Semakuba  *This image is copyright of its original author
From the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Blog Grauer's gorillas in Congo now officially "critically" endangered:
After decades of extreme survival pressure, the conservation status of Grauer’s gorillas, found only in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has just been officially raised to the highest threat level – critically endangered – by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund collaborated with an international team to recommend this reassessment,” says Dr. Tara Stoinski, president and CEO/Chief scientific officer. “This change in status confirms what we already know from our work on the ground in the core of Grauer’s gorilla range – their situation is dire and if the current rate of decline continues, they could be extinct in as few as five years," she reports. The Fossey Fund is the only NGO with a permanent field station in the low-altitude core range of the Grauer’s gorilla, and now has four teams of trackers protecting them on a daily basis, with a fifth team in development. Other than separate populations protected by the Congolese wildlife authorities (ICCN) in two national parks, the Fossey Fund provides the only direct protection for this now critically endangered species. “Most of the remaining Grauer’s gorillas live outside of protected areas,” says Dr. Damien Caillaud, the Fossey Fund’s research director for Congo programs and one of the authors on the Grauer’s current assessment. “And they are extremely sensitive to areas where poaching occurs. They won’t be found within a 5-8 kilometer range around mining camps, for example, so each such camp leads to gorillas leaving an area of some 30-50 square kilometers of forest. And there are many, many mining camps in the eastern Congo forest.” A key feature of the Fossey Fund’s work in protecting Grauer’s gorillas in Congo is the involvement of local communities, especially traditional landowners. Field staff are hired from local villages, food supplies are bought from local crops, and community development efforts are underway, such as small-scale sustainable farm projects to help decrease malnutrition and bushmeat hunting, and support for youth education. "The Fossey Fund hopes that this multi-faceted model will build the basis for conservation action that can be applied throughout the range of Grauer’s gorillas, encouraging local groups to protect forests directly,” says Urbain Ngobobo, head of the Fossey Fund's Congo programs. |
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