It is very wrong to make eye contact with gorillas. Do not make eye contact with Silverback gorillas.
So why shouldn’t you look a gorilla in the eyes? It all goes back to their behavior.
Different animals have different behaviors, and mountain gorillas are no exception.
When you go on Uganda gorilla trekking or Rwanda gorilla trekking, you are given several guidelines to follow when you meet these apes in the mountains or forests.
Avoiding or limiting eye contact with a Silverback gorilla is one of the rules, and you must follow it for your own safety.
You should always try to avoid constant eye contact with a Silverback. It shows you want to challenge him or take his family members.
A Silverback is the leader of a gorilla family. It is his job to protect the group from danger and keep everything in order.
When there is any threat, he is the one to face it and defend his family. That is why he takes challenges seriously and tries his best to win.
When you keep looking into his eyes, he may charge at you by beating his chest, making loud sounds, throwing plants at you, and releasing a strong smell that can be noticed by people 26 yards away.
Also Read: What to do when a gorilla charges at you
However, scientists say that 99% of these charges are usually fake. If you bow your head and look down, the gorilla will calm down. This shows you are not a threat and have accepted defeat.
It is only when you keep staring at them that they may go ahead and attack.
When you go gorilla trekking, do not break the rules or try to be clever by making eye contact just to see what happens.
These animals are very strong and can break your bones with little effort.
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