There are several gorilla families within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Currently, there are 14 gorilla families that have been habituated for gorilla tourism and a fw families for research.
Gorilla Tracking is done in habituated families.
WHY DO GORILLAS KEEP IN GROUPS?
Like human beings, Gorillas also form families or groups. Gorillas are social animals that usually form harems: One silverback male lives together with several adult females and their offspring. However, in mountain gorillas about 40% of groups contain several adult males who are closely related.Mountain gorilla males occasionally form all-male groups.
Size of the Family
The size of gorilla groups is very variable. An average gorilla family contains four to ten members. The biggest gorilla group known to date was found in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National park. It consisted of 65 gorilla members for a short period.
When the gorilla leader dies, another subordinate silverback male takes over the responsibilities, usually the son of the dead leader.
Why Do Gorillas Form Families
Below are some of the reasons why Gorillas form families:
For Security reasons – Gorillas stay together in groups to overpower enemies. Under the leadership of a mature male Gorilla known as silver back. Other Gorilla members attack the enemy as one.
Companion ship – Male Gorillas form groups together with females to ease reproduction. The new born babies join the group to make the family bigger.
For leader ship reasons – Male Gorillas form groups to lead as his subjects. Gorillas groups are lead by a dominant male silver back.
To develop a sense of belonging – each gorilla belongs to a certain group and when any gorilla especially males are chased from group A; he join another group.Proper nurturing of young Gorillas – the female Gorillas takes care of the young ones as the male offers security.
Training ground – Gorillas are closely related to humans and are considered highly intelligent. A few individuals in captivity have been taught a sub set of sign language. Gorillas are now known to use tools in the wild.
Proper feeding – Male gorillas are entitled to look for sources of food for the entire group. Once they discover food, the entire family moves to feed.