Strategies and Advice for Surviving a Gorilla Attack

Although frequently misunderstood as combative, gorillas are among the most tranquil and composed primates on Earth.

Mountain gorillas will only engage in aggression against humans or other creatures if they are uneasy and disturbed by their presence.

Strategies for Surviving Gorilla Attacks

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: Gorilla Trekking

Gorillas are exceptionally muscular and will protect their families in the event of an emergency. Upon detecting danger, they will respond with deafening grunts and chest-beating while simultaneously supporting themselves on their hind legs.

A gorilla will resort to scratching, vicious bites, strikes, and even dragging someone away by hand or limb if the attacker fails to flee after these warnings.

If gorillas charge at you, the following are some of the methods in which you can survive a gorilla attack:

1. Continue departing gradually

During the observation hour while trekking gorillas, mountain gorillas may charge when they feel insecure.

Tourists are advised to gradually withdraw and proceed away from the chimpanzee scene with a steady pace.

Never attempt to flee from a charged gorilla, as they will pursue you and launch an attack. Additionally, no human is capable of combating and defeating a mountain gorilla.

2. Lying on one’s back

It is highly recommended that one remain in a crouching position while a mountain gorilla is assaulting.

You are required to prostrate yourself and reduce your size in order to approach a mountain gorilla.

Upon observing that you are not interested in engaging in a confrontation with a mountain gorilla, they will subside and have no justification for attacking you.

3. Adhere to the laws and regulations of gorilla trekking.

In order to prevent mountain gorillas from attempting to attack, it is necessary to adhere to the rules and regulations of the gorilla trekking safari.

In the event of an assault by mountain gorillas, your ranger will consistently provide you with directions on what to do and what not to do.

4. Assume the identity of a gorilla

One method of surviving a mountain gorilla assault is to behave in a manner similar to that of a gorilla when a charged gorilla approaches.

By pretending to consume vegetation, plucking leaves, napping on the ground, and breaking some vegetation, you can achieve this.

You can impersonate a forest inhabitant, and a gorilla will be less inclined to attack you.

5. Display your canines

Mountain gorillas may occasionally engage in close-quarters combat with humans.

Visitors are advised to display their teeth to a charged gorilla and attempt to scream if there is no opportunity to step back and crouch.

This may cause the gorilla to flee, as it may believe that you are another untamed gorilla.

6. Avoid gazing directly into the eyes of a gorilla.

Mountain gorillas are averse to direct eye contact for an unexplained reason.

It is recommended that you refrain from making direct eye contact with the gorillas and instead appear to be less interested in the event that they charge.

This will induce them to relax.

7. Maintain a safe distance from gorillas.

It is recommended that tourists maintain a minimum distance of 7 meters from mountain gorillas.

Gorillas are wild animals and cannot be touched, with the exception of instances in which they approach or contact you independently without posing a threat.

It is possible for these primates to charge if one approaches them too closely.

In summary, mountain gorillas typically refrain from attacking individuals unless they are agitated, and they consistently issue warnings prior to charging.

Following the gorilla trekking rules and regulations provided during the briefing prior to the trek, as well as adhering to the park ranger’s instructions while in the presence of mountain gorillas, is the most effective method of surviving a mountain gorilla attack.