Mountain gorillas
live in groups headed by a dominant male Silverback, a name derived from the
silver lining that develops at the back with old age. There are many gorilla
families in the mountain gorilla world which are divided across Virunga
Mountain ranges and in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park in Uganda. The
gorillas in Virunga Mountain ranges live in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda,
Virunga national park in Democratic republic of Congo and Mgahinga national
Park in Uganda.
There are less
than 800 mountain gorillas remaining in the world, half of which live in Bwindi
impenetrable national park and the rest in Virunga mountain ranges.
Volcanoes
National park in Rwanda currently has 10 habituated gorilla families for
gorilla trekking in Rwanda and a number of other gorilla families still under research.
On the other hand, Virunga national park has five habituated gorilla families
with the rest of the groups still under research.
Research about
the mountain gorillas behavior was started by American Primatologist Dian
Fossey in 1967 who studied the behavior of the mountain gorillas, how they
live, mate, behave in their natural wild.
Studies show that
the gorillas share 98% DNA with human beings which makes them closer cousins to
human beings and behave almost in the same manner as human beings.
With death of
Dian Fossey in 1985, her work was carried through by the fund called Dian
Fossey gorilla Fund that has continued to monitor and conserve the mountain
gorillas in Virunga mountain ranges.
The dominant male
gorilla called silverback will always head the group each day on where to move,
and take general charge of the discipline of all the gorillas in the group. In
case there is a rising conflict by another silverback, there will be a
rebellion, which always lead to splitting of gorilla family with the silverback
leading away the supportive gorillas to start another family.
The other way the
silverback loses leadership is when there is death of the silverback or serious
illness that he can no longer perform his leadership duties to steer the
family. The second active silverback will take over from leadership of the
group. For over the years of gorilla research and observation, that has been
the way the gorilla families are led and formed up.
However, the
currently, there has been a new observation on the largest group of mountain
gorillas monitored by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund which has been led by a 37
year old Silverback named Cantsbee, a name given to him by Dian Fossey when he
was born in 1978.
This group has 30
members now and originated from a group of 65 members which was led by Pablo
before it split into two.
With Cantsbee reaching
an elderly status but still healthy and strong, his leadership has come under
serious challenge coming from his son Gicurasi.
This challenge
has one up and down over the years as has been observed by Dian Fossey Gorilla
Fund.
For the large
part of this year, Gicurasi who is still young and energetic has taken active
role in protecting the family and also performing mating duties but without
official recognition from the rest of the family members.
Gicurasi has been
observed crossing in front of the leader and trying to head the group. This has
in several cases led to serious fights between Gicurasi and Cantsbee, the group
leader and most fights have been won by Gicurasi.
Another Silverback
in the group name “Kureba” who has always taken clear stance supporting
Cantsbee in his leadership role has since stopped intervening in the fights
between Cantsbee and Gicurasi.
Often times,
Cantsbee has been seen fighting Gucurasi not to move in front of him and
forcing him to the ground.
However, Gucurasi
has been observed to now be supported by many group members who support him in
the movements and with Cantsbee aging, he may soon give up to Gucurasi and
start benefiting from subordinate position with Gicurasi being accountable for
the group protection and movements.
With over 50
years of observing the behavior of the mountain gorillas, this will be the
first kind of succession observed with the younger silver back taking over
leadership from an existing and still active dominant silver back.