(Photo:Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund)
Silverback mountain gorillas are powerful creatures.
Typically, one adult male leads a band of females and juveniles.
Males without a flock of females travel alone or form small groups together.
The dominant silverback Musilikale with his two brothers Icumbi and Turakomeje, who help him keep his group of 22 gorillas safe. (Photo:Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund)
The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund was established in 1967 by Dian Fossey.
The organization is dedicated to conservation through research, training local conservationists, and forming ties with local communities.
They protect mountain gorillas in Rawanda and Grauers gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
These protective efforts are labor-intensive but effective.
The mountain gorillas are used to human presence, allowing researchers to better observe their social interactions.
The Grauers gorillas must be followed at a distance however.
The trackers and observers who follow the mountain gorilla families have captured many sweet images of the social creatures.
In Musilikale’s family, the three brothers lead 22 female gorillas.
Icumbi and Turakomeje help their brother protect the group as it travels in search of food and nesting grounds.
These two are particularly bonded, the researchers report.
Theynap and play togethereven though they are all grown up.
Unfortunately, gorillas are in incredible danger.
Themountain gorillapopulation is endangered and thought to be just over 1,000 individuals.
Loss of habitat and extreme vulnerability to poaching are just some of the threats the species faces.
Supporting theDian Fossey Gorilla Fundis one way to help fight for these incredible creatures.
At present, they are building a new Ellen DeGeneres campus in Rwanda to expand their work.
Animal lovers can alsoadopt a gorillaby choosing their favorite from a range of available babies and adults.
The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund protects vulnerable mountain and eastern lowland guerrillas.
Even as adults, they still like to play!
After a good nap, we caught them wrestling!
Update on the gorillas: Some family bonds are stronger than others!
