Mountain Gorillas

I Said It asked:

When i was a kid my father bought a baby gorilla and told me that every day i would have to lift him and carry his weight for thirty minutes, he explained how it would make me strong without realizing it i could gradually be able tpo lift more and more. well it worked i am now forty and t he gorilla weighs over two tons, my arms are about three feet around and my legs huge. But lately the silver back mountain gorilla seems a little anoyed with this daily practice. when ever i pick him up he puts his hands over my eyes so tight i can’t remove them until i put him down. Do i have a problem?

Moe Tamani asked:

Uganda is one of the most beautiful bastions of the African wilderness and has everything for a global tourist or even a backpacker. From trekking opportunities in the volcanic Great Rift Valley to exploring the Gorilla hideouts deep in the mountains; from sunbathing at the isolated and magnificent beaches on the Ssese Islands that seem to be floating in Lake Victoria to being captivated by the mystic Jinja, the source point

for the great river Nile, Uganda has just about anything.

Why Volunteer In Uganda

Uganda has a wealth of natural resources but at the same time, it is also a poverty stricken country that has been through civil wars, a cannibalistic dictator and also comes under the AIDS/HIV radar. Volunteering in Uganda will not only open you mind to different cultures and a society that has existed since the early civilizations but also to the depravation that people in Africa have learnt to carry in their stride for too long.

Types Of Projects Available

As a part of volunteering in Uganda, you will get to choose the kind of project you are interested in. The different types if projects available include:

• Working with Ugandan orphanages: You will get to work with the hundreds and thousands of orphans who have either lost their parents in a war or who have been left homeless by famines. These orphaned children would probably die due to malnutrition but with a little care can grow up to be the future of the country.

• Teaching: There are different languages that you can teach in Uganda but the most prominent being English. There are projects for teaching English to elementary school children and even orphans in a small village called Niyakasiru.

• Community Development: In Uganda, there are no communities but groups of villages get together to support each other through all the strife and disasters that have struck the country in the recent past. As a part of the community development project, you can contribute a lot towards creating health awareness, take care of various problems being faced in the day-to-day life by Ugandans and work at temporary teachers in their schools, which are not even sub-standard.

• HIV/AIDS Project: Africa is believed to have the maximum number of HIV/AIDS affected people. Hence this is the first place to start. In a world where scientists are trying every method possible to develop a miracle medicine for AIDS, the only way to fight it right now is by making people aware of the consequences. As a part of the AIDS/HIV program, you will get to take care of people who are already suffering from it and also at the same time, work with community programs to offer more information on how to prevent it in the first place.

• Community Work with the tribal: There are different types of tribes in Thailand and as a volunteer in Thailand, you will get to concentrate your efforts towards helping the tribal children and women.

• Health Projects: There are several health projects that you can contribute to. The medical infrastructure in Uganda is not strong enough and you assistance in developing one can do a lot of good to the country’s future.

• Conservation Projects: There are different types of conservation projects in Uganda that vary from water conservation to Gorilla and Chimpanzee conservations. These are interesting projects and will help in keeping the African Wilderness alive

Volunteer Requirements

Age: The minimum age for volunteering in Uganda should be 16 or older.

Experience: There is no experience required for most of the programs. But if you are volunteering for specialized programs in clinical operation or in HIV/AIDS programs then you will need to have some amount of experience or certification to assist in medical treatments etc.

Application process: You will need to provide a resume to start with

All volunteer programs in Thailand are open to participants from all over the world and to individuals, families and couples.

Fee and Other details

There is a fee attached to each of the projects that you volunteer for. The fee is charged in advance and is charged for the following:

1. Housing

2. Food/meals

3. In-country training

4. Transportation within the region

5. Staff support

Conclusion

There is so much that you can contribute to in Uganda and to its people. Africa is considered to be the cradle of civilization and it’s high time everyone started looking at it as one and treating the people out there with equal respect.

usnewsandworldreport asked:

View endangered mountain gorillas up close in Rwanda with U.S. News. Tourists come from across the world, hike through Rwanda’s jungles and farmland to see these silverback gorilla families, such as the Sabyinyo family that we saw. Although Rwanda is probably most famous for its 1994 genocide, it is making changes to overcome its painful past.

For more on news, pictures, and video on Rwanda, please visit http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/rwanda/

noje64 asked:

plz i need a good answer
I MEAN WHY DOES THE ARMS OF MOUNTAIN GORILLA LONGER THAN ITS LEGS ?

Georgianne Nienaber asked:


For some unfathomable reason, her murder never crossed my mind as I stood within the perimeter of what was once called her “manor” and where the panga (machete) blade inflicted its insane horror. My eyes, instead, were lifted upward to the beautifully twisted branches of ancient hagenia trees, silent sentinels and witnesses to the life, love, and dedication that defined Dian Fossey’s beloved Karisoke research station high in the saddle region between beautiful Mounts Karisimbi and Visoke in the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda. It had been over a year and 10,000 miles since Dian Fossey’s life and death had grabbed me by the throat, refusing to relinquish its grasp until I could come to terms with her extraordinary life and brutal murder at the hands of still unknown assailants. That I was able to complete my personal pilgrimage at all was somewhat of a miracle, as I had been trekking for almost ten hours the previous day to see the Susa group of gorillas at an altitude of almost 3,500 meters (11,500 feet). Midwestern American flatlander lungs were screaming in protest at the rare air, despite that fact that my fifty-five year old body and muscles were somewhat prepared by months of rigorous training. The muddy, rutted, nettle-infested trails that refused to level off until a height of 2,000 meters were more than “a killer,” as a primatologist had warned me before my departure. A herd of buffalo and recent torrential rains had rendered the foot-wide path a boot-sucking manure pit, causing leg muscles to use more than their normal share of oxygen. I wondered aloud to my Rwandan Park District (ORTPN) guide, Francis Bayingana, how Fossey managed to complete the climb for eighteen years, especially with the advanced emphysema that required her to climb with oxygen tank in tow during her last years. The answer was revealed in a meadow-like area that opened at the end of a tunnel of vegetation just as the trail leveled to a gentler slope for the rest of the journey to Karisoke. Francis explained that Dian would sprawl in the grass and rest there, gathering strength for the next hour or so of climbing. Francis had been my guide the day before, during my journey to photograph and visit the elusive Susa gorilla group on Karisimbi. I could tell that he was keeping a watchful eye upon me, as I was the only tourist on the Karisoke climb my American cohorts and traveling companions were vanquished by the previous day’s efforts. At one point I stopped, literally gasping for air as I leaned on the bamboo walking stick thoughtfully offered by my porter. Francis asked with some concern whether or not I was all right, but I was not willing to give up after traveling half a world from my home to put Dian Fossey’s ghost to rest. My recovery was quick, and an unusual event convinced me that the ghost of “Nyiramachabelli” dragged me the rest of the way up the mountain. That, and the promise I made to Dian’s friends to check on the grave marker they dedicated to her, fueled my final efforts. After my lungs quit heaving in protest, our group (consisting of Francis, the porters, and two guards) tackled the last remaining steep slope. Francis, who was in the lead, raised his arm for us to stop and turned to face me with what looked at first like a charred piece of wood in his hand. He asked me if I knew what it was, and after inspecting it, I realized it was a hollowed-out piece of bamboo with a base that formed a deep cup with an approximately eight-inch diameter. Its purpose, however, remained indefinable without further explanation. Francis was somewhat surprised that he had found what turned out to be a forty-year-old artifact on a trail that he hikes quite regularly, as one of what I like to call the “guardians” of Dian Fossey’s final resting place. He told me that the object was, in fact, a Tutsi milking pot. Half-feral cows would not stand still for the indignities of milking, so the container was designed to fit a man’s grasp while the free hand did the milking. He had only seen the Tutsi pots in museums and was quite surprised to find one resting, literally, out in the open. Indecipherable conversations in Kinyarwanda followed between Francis and the other Rwandans, while I took the opportunity to catch my breath on the tomb-like trail and wondered once again how Fossey had the stamina to endure the formidable surroundings for so many years. The men decided that, rather than bring the Tutsi pot back to Park headquarters, they would leave it on the trail. My memory of this event is so charged with emotion that I cannot recall why this decision was reached, but I know for certain that the ghost of Nyiramachabelli was mentioned and my general sense of things was that her spirit was being honored. The entrance to Karisoke was just as Dian Fossey had described it in so many of her writings, but the jungle foliage had reclaimed the two rondavels that once housed the guards. Both structures were empty, save for the remnants of campfires from refugees of the genocide, the only reminder of their past function being a faded, painted logo from the African Wildlife Foundation on one of the doors. The Karisoke buildings that Fossey built with the help of her benefactor, Alyette DeMunck, were gone-only the moss-covered frame of the trackers’ dwelling remained. I recall Dian Fossey’s friend Rosamond Carr’s response when we showed her the raw photos during a visit to her home in Gisenyi. Mrs. Carr’s 92-year-old hands went to her face in a familiar gesture of shock and dismay as she turned to me and cried, “You mean there is nothing left?” Mrs. Carr currently runs an orphanage for 125 children of the genocide in Gisenyi. The last time she visited Karisoke was twenty years ago this coming New Year, when Dian Fossey’s body was laid to rest beside those of Digit and her other beloved gorillas. Rosamond had slogged up the same muddy trail at the age of seventy-two, her legs, heart, and lungs supported by the power of love and devotion for a friend whom she would miss until the end of her own days. In some ways, Karisoke appears abandoned, but in other ways, Karisoke embodies everything that defines purity of heart and intention. As I sat at the foot of Dian’s final resting place, it never occurred to me that she is below the surface of the volcanic rocks that cover her grave. Her spirit is in the hypericum and hagenia trees that guard her tomb – living monuments to a life lived forcefully and with conviction. There is an indescribable beauty to the place and a sense of possibility that is felt, rather than observed. I was overcome, less with grief, than with a sense of gratitude that the gorilla family I had visited the previous day would not be alive but for Dian Fossey’s dedication and sacrifice of her own life. The members of the International Primate Protection League (http://www.ippl.org/) will be happy to learn that, other than a few pry marks in the upper corners, their grave marker has stood steadfast over the years in loving tribute to Dian, who was a former colleague. There is another marker directly below. On the day I visited, raindrops covered the surface as tears would. Francis provided a translation from Kinyarwanda: “You Nyiramacyibili, that loved Rwanda-you gave your life to the gorillas in Virunga. This Karisoke you created has reserved for you peace and love that cannot be threatened by a spear. May God give you an everlasting peace.” Before our return to Ruhengeri and Park headquarters, Francis asked me if I felt up to a short hike, as there was something he was eager to show me. After stepping off the main path, we veered alongside a stream, and I knew exactly where we were heading-to Dian’s favorite meadow. Francis negotiated the stones in the middle of the fast moving stream, which was energized by the rains of the previous day, and extended his hand to mine as I slid across the rocks. Visoke formed a magnificent backdrop as Francis solemnly asked me if Dian would like the setting as a memorial that he envisioned for her. Why he asked me, I will never know, but I replied in the affirmative, knowing in my heart that there was nothing she would want more than a tribute planned by Rwandans.

History had come full cycle and she was now recognized as visionary by the people who thirty years ago could not imagine why an American woman would want to live alone on the mountain for so many years. The forests and the gorillas were under the capable guardianship of young Rwandan men like Francis, for whom Dian Fossey was now a heroine. We walked, shoulder to shoulder down the mountain, and, at his request, I told Francis every story I had ever heard or read about Dian Fossey.

gronk asked:


Mine is a gorilla-shark. Great white shark head in a glass bubble (with water in it) with the strength of a silver back mountain gorilla. this gorilla would be so mad that it couldn’t bite through the bubble that it would just smash everything.

aliciawolcott asked:

mountain gorillas in volcanoes national park, rwanda

monica10_1050 asked:


ok so i got rubber bands on thrusday and i dont get it. their are different sizes. and i got size 3/16 and it had a mountain gorilla on the package. how do the sizes work? does having a small size of bands mean i have a small overbite or medium bands mean a larger over bite . .. . plz explain

Tanah Hadijah asked:


After a night at Mt Gorilla Nest lodge, it was a breaking day light on the 15th Saturday of December when a Led a Gorilla tour of 4 people from Abacus African Vacations. A cold gentle wind blew over Ruhengeri town, facing the Virunga Volcanoes. It is here that the where main Rwanda tourism offices are located so I handed in the Gorilla permits the group I led that was supposed to track Gorillas in Perc Des National Volcans. In our itinerary we were to Visit both Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla National Parks.

After interactions between the tourists, permit issuing officers, determining who is in the right condition for the most difficult trek and briefing about regulations from the ranger guides, the long awaited adventure commenced.

Since we had opted to trek the Susa group which is referred to as the furthest family in Perc des National Volcans , which was referred to as the farthest and most difficult to find, we felt the rain was doing us a favour by making them dormant.

We trekked through the thick vegetation, which the rain made rationally impassable. Several times the wet, slippery grass saw many of the trackers slipping and sliding, with some holding on to trees for support. After persevering for 6 hours, hiking several metres over 3500, the ranger guides advised that we had to sit only to find that we were completely surrounded by the group. The rangers grunted to guarantee that the silverbacks were friendly and as a sign of acknowledgement of friendliness, the silverbacks grunted in return. In effect, the rangers were conversing with the gorillas. With gorillas sitting all around and the babies swinging playfully in’ the low trees and one playful baby holding on to a tourist’s shoes, the one-hour view of the wider nasal cavity, broad chest, black shaggy hair with silverback males striking a contrast, we were amazed. It was a truly exhilarating experience and something I will remember for the rest of my life.

We later transferred to Gorilla resort Camp in Bwindi where we experienced the Virungas in Uganda. Our tour guides briefed us about what we had to do the next day. The next morning, we assembled at the starting point ready to go and track the Habinyanja Group. We started the walks but as others followed Wildlife rangers led the group as we began to file down the weather beaten path on a very steep hill that was covered with thick bushes, tall trees, and a few banana plants. A heavy down pour the previous night had left the path so slippery and most of the ladies were screaming for help as we were sliding and rolling on our bottoms down the steep slopes though it wasn’t smooth sailing for the guys either as one kept on falling when my hiking boots failed to stick in the mud and sent me sprawling down the hill. Sweating, swearing with groans of Fatigue, we continued given the cheer of the anticipation of the now looming encounter with the gorilla-Uganda’s most popular attraction!

An hour after the walk, we came across some mud and wattle houses surrounded by Banana gardens, pawpaw trees and passion fruits plants. Women and children abandoned their chores and starred at us. Some of us talked to them as a few of them were yelling at the whites we were tracking with saying-Muzungu a Swahili word that means the white man. We were given a five minutes break before we proceeded which we used to take water and take off jackets. . One of the guides Chris informed us that the hard part was yet to begin from the point where we were standing so he advised that we had to proceed without out bags or any luggage we felt was heavy to ensure the fact that we were light. We reached a certain point and the guide told us that the gorillas had been there a few hours ago. He spoke on his Radio Call and spoke to his colleagues.

Faster we moved only stopping to wait for those we had been waiting for that had relaxed to catch their breath. Closer the gorillas got as we could see a few of them sitting majestically and motionless in tree branches watching us. This was a signal that our efforts and determinations were about to pay off. We crossed a small river in one lip. So exhausted and excited, we crouched down and crowled closer to the gorillas in a total silence. Finally they came closer in a full view of Gorillas – over 20 of them –a mind-boggling sight! Two silver-backs sitting next to each other at the head of the group while other huddled together closely behind in silent stares as our ranger grunted to make them move closer. The bigger silver backs suddenly stood on fours and stiffened as one of the gorillas named Africa refused to sit with the group or even move with them. Eventually he left the bush and sat in the path behind us. We moved aside to let it join the others but all in vain. He could move behind us and whenever we could stop, he could stop as well so the rangers told us that he was trying to show the Silver backs that he too could lead and he wanted to make sure that all was well. But later he joined his family. Four one hour, we watched infants playing on this mothers’ bellies as the juveniles were somersaulting. Finally, it was time to retrace our paths back as we had three hours of climbing again………

Not even the drenching rain that poured halfway into our journey back could dampen our spirits. It was a memory I would never forget!

Rwanda has eight groups of gorillas. Each group has a strict social structure based on age, indicated by how a young one will check out of an eating point, playing space or sleeping area in. a particular area for the elder. Five groups are the ones typically seen during trekking. These are identified differently according to the numbers that constitute a group. Sabinyo group has 11, Sussa has 39 after the death of a baby gorilla on January 12th, Amahoro has 14, Umubano has 8 and group number 13 includes 17gorillas.

Though most times tourists desire to track Susa because of its large gorilla composition, Francis says numbers do not mean a thing.

Each family of gorillas is peculiar for instance; one group may have most playful children or an easy to interact with silverback, another biggest silverback among other behaviors that make tracking each group an exclusive experience. Nevertheless, seeing a particular group very much depends on where it is that day as gorillas are always on the move in search of food and safety.

By high merit of their habitat, Francis added, gorillas do not ~ have many predators. Apart from the buffaloes, golden monkeys and elephants that share and live in synchronization with the gorillas in lower altitudes, gorillas live in cold conditions which other animals cannot stand, providing them a monopoly of the mountain areas. Francis explained that they are able to live in such cold conditions because of their black colour pigment. “The black colour helps to attract and trap heat in the high altitudes of the mountains and at the same time makes gorillas less susceptible to heat stroke as they love sun bathing. Gorillas in this region can live up to 45 years with the silverbacks weighing about 200kg and females between 80 to 120kg.”

The diet of mountain gorillas largely consists of shrubbery.

The writers aim of getting involved in the gorilla tracking was also to study and analyse the diets of the Mountain gorilla and the constituents. She found out that Gorilla food constitutes of over 50 different plants, whose leaves, shoots and stems are eaten. For shoots, the gorillas benefit from mainly the rainy season mountain bamboos, when green and still tender, eaten with trocatea plants. The writer noticed that because the bamboo shoots are 84% water, the extra trocatea, tsile’s leaves, celery’s stem without the tree bark, young bamboo leaves, stems, urela cameronesis’ leaves and stem bark, flowers and roots, and dry season black berries grown on high altitude, provides a nutritious delicacy. Plus the bark of eucalyptus trees is also eaten especially by Ssusas of Rwanda, the largest gorilla group, for medicinal purposes. The male dominant gorilla also known as the silverback is particularly skilled in his knowledge of herbal plants and it is known that when one of his group members fall sick, the silverback will often lead the group to another sector of the park to find a particular herb and hearten the sick member of the group to eat it.

The writer learnt that Eating also depends on the prevailing situation in a group and the weather. Normally gorillas have three intervals of rest between each feeding, which amounts to 40% of their total time per day. However, if they have migrated in an area that has plenty of food, they will feed and then rest for longer periods compared to times and movement into a sector of limited food availability. In addition, if it’s raining heavily they become dormant; active again when it stops.

After getting pleasure from the larking about of the young gorillas and the sheer size of the male, with the one hour view apparent like 15 minutes, we headed back down the mountain to a hot coffee and a well-earned rest.

Bandit Johnson III asked:


Why and how is the current political crisis in Rwanda jeopardizing the survival of mountain gorillas? What can Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the former Zaire, do to remedy the situation?