In order for someone to track gorillas in Uganda, he or she must have a gorilla permit that costs US$800 booked in advance from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. These gorillas are very interesting primates. Below are some of the interesting facts that you should know about Uganda mountain gorillas;
Uganda gorillas live only in two national parks that is; Mgahinga in south-west Uganda and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The total population of mountain gorillas left in the world in estimated to be about 1060. They are classified by the IUCN as an Endangered species. Half of this number lives in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forests in South Western Uganda.
These Mountain gorillas do have the same emotions as humans. They can laugh when you tickle them and also cry when you hurt them.
These primates eat about 49 pounds of vegetables a day for males and females eat slightly lower than that.
Mountain gorillas are said to have over 98.5% DNA similar to that of humans
Mountain gorillas are the largest primates on earth. They weight spans up to 390 pounds for males and half about 240 – 250 for female gorillas. A newly born mountain gorilla averages a weight of approximately 4.5 pounds.
Female mountain gorillas start reproduction from the age of ten. They carry one or two babies at a time and give birth after a gestation period of 8 months. They will bear between two to six offspring in their lifetime.
Mountain Gorillas got their name for a reason. They live high in the steep mountain forests of four different national parks in Africa in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. They live at elevations of up to 8,000 to 13,000 feet (1,500m- 4000m). That is the same height a skydiver would jump out of a plane.
Mountain Gorillas are social beings. They travel in groups of 5 to as many as 30, these groups involve adult and juvenile females, several young males, infants and with a male who is refered to as the silver back. These troops usually last for over 20 years.
When a male gorilla grows old, its hair of the back eventually becomes silver. This is where the word “Silverback” is derived from. The silverback gorillas ensure protection of the group. More so, they maintain order and decide all activities within their troop. They schedule feeding trips, resting time, and travel. They also father the majority of the young in the group.
Mountain gorillas are as shy as they are strong. A mountain gorilla will never chase you when you are facing it and looking directly into its eyes. However, you should know that when threatened they can be aggressive. They beat their chests and let out grunts and roars. Group leaders will charge at the threat and mothers will fight to the death to protect their young ones.
In conclusion, these primates are extremely intelligent whereby the habituated gorillas can use sign language to interact with humans. Would you like to meet them in person? Get started with planning a primate safari in Uganda and get to see these great apes in their natural home.
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