First of all, if you face the question of How to Survive a Gorilla Attack, then most probably you have little too no knowledge about this animal. Although apes are generally gentle creatures, the gorillas will defend themselves if their troops are endangered. It never hurts to know more about these species and how to avoid and protect yourself in such situations, such as on a safari or when hiking in the wilderness.
What do you Need to Know About Gorillas?
Gorillas are the world’s largest primates, standing up to six feet tall and weighing up to 400 pounds. They’re typically placid creatures, more Koko than King Kong, but a powerful silverback male possesses the strength of many men and isn’t hesitant to use it to defend his troop.
Gorillas are considered our third closest cousin and share 98.3% of our DNA. They are the largest extant primates and share many traits. They have hands that are similar in size and dexterity, with opposable thumbs, and have been observed exhibiting emotions such as melancholy and laughing. They are also one of the most powerful creatures, with a bite force equal to or more than that of a lion. They are social animals that live in groups of 10 to 50 people. Each family, which lives in a territory of up to 16 square miles, is led by a dominant male known as a silverback.
Can you Outrun a Gorilla?
Gorillas are extremely powerful and swift animals, despite the fact that they are often gentle. They are capable of achieving speeds of up to 30 kilometers per hour. To provide some context, the typical jogging pace of a human is somewhere between 6 and 8 miles per hour, whereas the typical sprinting speed is somewhere around 20 miles per hour. It is quite unlikely that humans could outrun these swift species, even at our absolute top speed (imagine Usain Bolt running at 28 miles per hour), due to the combination of their speed and the other elements involved.
Can you Fight a Gorilla?
A gorilla’s strength and speed are unparalleled when compared to those of a human because of the numerous other elements that contribute to their superiority. Gorillas, for instance, can weigh anywhere between 200 and 230 kilograms! Their sheer bulk, along with the animal instincts they inherited from their ancestors, allows them to react more quickly and with greater dedication because to the survival-oriented brain they inherited from their ancestors. According to Discover Wildlife, it is hypothesized that the strength of a gorilla is anywhere from four to ten times greater than that of a person.
Typically, gorillas will only engage in loud and threatening displays when they feel threatened or when the dominant male is being challenged. According to National Geographic, some examples of defensive displays include raising one’s body to an upright position, howling or barking, thumping one’s huge chest, throwing things, or charging an opponent aggressively.
Why do They Become Aggressive?
Gorillas are known to be gentle giants. They may appear to be vicious, but in actuality, they are peaceful creatures who simply want to be left alone. So, keep in mind that they are wild animals, and like all wild animals, they can become aggressive if they feel threatened. If another group’s silverback tries to steal one of the females, or if a human comes too close to their area, the gorillas will try to scare them away with loud grunts and pull-down foliage.
If that doesn’t work, the silverback will stand on its unusual legs and pound its chest in a display of force. These actions demonstrate that the gorilla is prepared to defend itself and its family from the specific threat. Remember to give the gorillas some space and respect their area when you’re out in the wild.
How to Survive a Gorilla Attack?
Honestly speaking, surviving a gorilla attack isn’t easy. Most people didn’t even live to tell the story. Gorillas are gentle but you cannot easily survive when it gets annoyed or upset. When a gorilla perceives that it is in danger, it will begin to make threats, such as grunts and hoots that are quite loud. If that isn’t enough to scare you away, it will escalate its threats by standing on its hind legs and hammering its chest at a very rapid pace. If that still doesn’t scare you away, it will eat you.
If you do not submit at that point, it may charge you and attack with violent bites, strikes, scratches, and even attempt to seize your leg and drag you away. If you do not perform submissive action, it may charge you and attack you.
When you realize you’re in the presence of a gorilla, you should proceed as follows:
- Make yourself as small as possible by stooping slowly.
- Look away and avert your eyes from any gorillas that could be nearby. Make an effort to appear uninterested in them.
- Put some space between you and the gorillas without making any jarring movements and gradually increase the distance.
These straightforward actions communicate to a gorilla that you do not pose a threat to them and that you have no intention of confronting them. If it does charge you and it isn’t a bluff (most of the time, it is), turn your back on it and lower yourself all the way to the ground. Go limp if it decides to investigate you. It will eventually become uninterested in you and go on to other things.
Never, under any circumstances:
- Run away from the gorilla.
- Display your teeth.
- Raise your arms to make yourself appear larger.
- Scream and yell.
- Thump your chest in response – not even as a joke.
These acts could cause the gorilla to become defensive of its territory, in which case you would most likely sustain significant injuries. Thankfully, gorilla assaults are extremely uncommon (even in zoos and sanctuaries), and the majority of gorilla attacks are either defensive or provoked in nature.
How Can You Prevent Gorilla Attacks?
Although gorillas are gentle giants, they are wild animals that can be violent if attacked. If you’re lucky enough to come across gorillas in the wild, there are a few things you should know to avoid being attacked.
First, observe the gorilla’s body language. It’s time to back off if they start beating their chest or making other hostile gestures. You should also avoid direct eye contact and displaying your teeth, as these can be interpreted as threats. It’s also a good idea to avoid taking flash shots or using flashlights near gorillas, as this can make them feel threatened and lead to an attack. You’ll have a safe and memorable encounter with these fascinating creatures if you follow these easy recommendations.
Concerns About Gorilla Trekking.
Gorilla trekking is an incredible experience that allows you to get up and personal with some of the most intriguing animals on the planet. However, keep in mind that gorillas are wild animals, and you must respect their territory. Tourists should always keep at least 7 meters away from gorillas and should never attempt to touch them.
Conclusion
Gorillas are gentle creatures, but they can be dangerous when they feel threatened. Whatever happens, you should not attempt to irritate gorillas, especially in their natural habitat. They are far more stronger and faster than you and frankly, your chance of survival is lower than 80%. With these tips you know How to Survive a Gorilla Attack if you ever face one. Try to avoid having these attacks, and if you want to see them up close and personal, try to find a zoo or a safari. This will ensure your safety while observing how amazing these creatures are.
