The Great Apes

[Tshokwane]

From my reading of Dian Fossey's book, which sadly I don't have anymore, there are a couple of reasons for females to want to leave the group, even having subadults dependant of them.

- Blood relations with the dominant Silverback: 

This isn't as common now as it was in Dian's time because the population has grown. But if the female is a daughter, sister, half-sister, or cousin of the Silverback, it's on her instincts to leave the group.

- A low place in the group's hierarchy: 

As it happens with the males, the females also have a hierarchy, that is reflected on several things: their relation with the Dominant silverback, how close they sit to him, how much attention their kids get and how many times he mates with them. Also, the hierarchy of the female is seen in when she and her offspring feed, in relation to the other ones. A female low in the hierarchy would have to wait. This aspect is seen when there's some root or thing like that that is not abundant. Reply