Close Encounters With Gorillas
Jonathan Ellis, Client
We have all seen David Attenborough do it but somehow one’s adrenalin and apprehension increase the closer one gets to one’s departure date. Everyone seemed extremely relaxed at the Nature Park’s HQ and there is a seven metre plank to remind all and sundry about the distance one needs to keep. It seemed terribly close and I am not certain that gorillas have even read the rule book.
We set off at a leisurely pace across farmland and arrive at the forest: surprisingly cool but we are between 2,500 and 3,000 metres above sea level. The forest is also surprisingly quiet and the guides lead us on with confidence. Sadly no epic tales to report of “daring-do” or close encounters with snakes, leeches or spiders of gargantuan proportions. The narrow tracks are not difficult to negotiate and our expectations rise as we see fresh bamboo strewn about – the Simian equivalent of All-Bran.
Suddenly I see an extremely large fluffy ball of cotton wool in the foliage above me ……. and then it moves, unhurriedly and determined and with complete disregard to the gawping faces below. Around a corner is an arresting sight; 250 kgs of silver back sitting on the ground and quietly picking his nose while viewing us with some disdain. Our party of eight spread out slightly to capture the moment on their cameras. More gorillas appear in the foliage above and round about and we find ourselves stepping back in order to allow them to amble past.
Their power is unimaginable and happily they seem completely relaxed and unfazed. A baby stands up on its mother’s tummy and starts to beat its chest: a poor imitation of his father and he promptly loses his balance and topples off. He quickly returns to his vantage point and goes through other routines: how like a small child. The principal activity is resting, grooming each other and feeding (with occasional flatulence) and all the while different members of the troupe amble past either on foot on through the foliage above. No-one can quite believe that they are so close to such remarkable beasts.
Sadly the allotted hour passes in a blur. None of us want to leave and we return elated but not quite believing what we have just witnessed.
