As a result of their presence in films like “The King Kong”, many people have the wrong perception that gorillas are harsh or unfriendly. Gorillas are over 98% human in appearance, behavior and DNA composition; therefore, they respond to an attack in the same way man does. Because trees, shrubs and birds are among the creatures that make up the jungle, gorillas are not familiar which accounts for their reaction.

Gorillas are very strong primates, and they would always protect their family from harm. They will charge if they feel uncomfortable or in danger. These human relatives reside on the African continent and can be found in several national parks, including Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Volcanoes National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable and Virunga National Park. The gorilla trekking expeditions begin at sunrise and host national parks are open to guests all year round. One reliable way to see gorillas in their natural environment deep in the forest is through gorilla trekking tours and habituation experiences.

It is carried out on foot under the supervision of an experienced ranger who will spend one to six hours guiding your relatives through the shrubs, hills, or forest. Once you locate them, you have an hour to observe and take pictures. The experience of habituation lasts for more than 4 hours. Paying attention to the trekking guidelines when you’re with these relatives keeps you out of the way of a gorilla’s fury.

The regulations to follow while in the jungle are explained to guests before they begin any gorilla trekking, such as: no noise, stay roughly 7 meters away from the gorillas, don’t imitate apes, don’t stare intently into the silverbacks’ eyes, and use flash-free lighting while taking photos. Keep in mind that gorillas view strangers as a threat because they are unfamiliar with them.

Making noise, approaching them too closely, mimicking them, staring into their eyes, using flash photography equipment (as gorillas are afraid of light and lightning), and other behaviors can cause them to charge. A gorilla hates anything that makes you appear to be a threat or superior in their home environment. When charged, they flip, hit their chests, scream in various voices, rend the leaves, run on two legs, bark and perform a variety of other things.

They reveal their might, and to withstand these responses, one must be courageous and firm. A gorilla may approach you very closely, but you shouldn’t become alarmed because doing so could make the situation worse or put you in danger.

Recommended actions when a gorilla charges at you?

Don’t scream.

One method of getting the gorillas’ attention and fury is not to scream out of fear of their reaction. Screaming may be perceived as an attack by them, leading them to attack by moving closer to you and slapping you. Noise makes a gorilla feel threatened, so it’s best to keep calm and never call anyone, not even the one sitting next to you.

Be Submissive.

In the forest, gorillas are in complete charge and have an advantage over everyone else. Be obedient when they charge you. Keep to yourself and observe. Even though it follows and places a hand, never attempt to remove it. Be courageous. Another option is to flash your pearly whites while paying attention to what the ranger guide does or says.

Bow down.

When a gorilla charges at you, it’s a good idea to crouch down. By doing this, you are demonstrating your respect for it and your lesser size. In order to show that you aren’t interested in retaliating, bend down and face down. This will cause it to slow down and settle.

Stay Quiet and Slowly Walk Away.

Take a calculated step back from these apes. Take one step away from their presence at a time rather than making a scene. Return one step at a time, keeping an eye on the other hikers, the ranger guide, and more. Never flee or show signs of fear since doing so leaves you open to attack.

 Pretend to be an Ape.

Pose as an ape. Be a member of the ape family in such a case. Do it by acting as though you are eating grass, breaking some plants, and picking up leaves as you pretend to be napping on the ground. You’ll be acting like a jungle dweller if you do this, which will make them withdraw.

Keep your Eyes off the Gorillas.

Make every effort to avoid looking directly into the gorillas’ eyes. No matter how near it is, pretend to be less interested in what is happening or to be looking away. It is challenging, but it can save your life and sure way to escape the gorilla’s wrath.

Gorillas are kind, shy and social. They never attack people; instead, when they feel threatened or attacked, they respond in self-defense. They charge to demonstrate their might and superiority. Because one gorilla is more powerful than over ten physically fit men combined, they should never be confronted.