What to do when a Gorilla charges on you
What to do when a gorilla charges on you
What to do when a gorilla charges on you: Gorillas are wildlife animals and despite the fact that they are 98% human DNA, precaution still has to be taken. The groups you will meet while trekking are habituated but that does not take away the fact that they are wild animals and things can change.
In case a gorilla charges at you, here are some of the things you will need to do.
Study the gorilla’s behavior
A gorilla may vocalize loudly and pound, jump or slap the ground if angry. Gorillas that are curious will just grab or tug your clothes.
Stay calm, do not react
At this point it’s only human that someone will scream which will antagonize the gorillas
Be submissive
Gorillas hate looking directly into their eyes, so try as much as possible to look away.
Crouch down and make yourself as small a target as possible
Try to make yourself small such that the gorilla does not feel challenged. Gorillas are scared by anything that challenges their authority.
Stay quiet
An attack may include severe biting and pounding or tearing with the gorilla’s hands. Even if it appears that the gorilla means to harm you, do not actively resist or fight back: It will interpret this behavior as threatening and may attack more severely.
Groom
If the gorilla has gotten hold of you, begin to “groom” its arm while loudly smacking your lips. Primates are fastidious groomers, and grooming the gorilla in this fashion may distract the gorilla in a nonthreatening way.
As the gorilla’s grip relaxes, slowly move you’re grooming hand to the gorilla’s hand, showing keen interest in any bits of leaf or dirt on the gorilla.
Remain quiet and passive until the gorilla loses interest or until help arrives
If the gorillas have its hands around you, do not try to remove them. The gorilla is much stronger than a grown human. You may try removing them but you can’t and this will cause problems as it will feel challenged.
By following the above mentioned procedures, be sure you will enjoy the Rwanda Safaris / Rwanda tours that include Gorilla tracking even though the gorilla charges at you.
