Look in to the eyes of a gorilla - preferably a living, breathing one right in front of you - and you will surely come to the conclusion that you and the gorilla share at least some common ancestry.
And that, at least as far as I'm concerned, is a real reason to be cheerful. We should count ourselves lucky to share some genetic links with these noble, impressive animals.
I have looked gorillas in the eye, but before you run away with the idea I am some sort of David Attenborough or Dian Fossey, I should point out that my close encounter with gorillas was at Howletts, the wild animal park in the Kent countryside.
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| A gorilla deep in thought. |
It might be that in an ideal world there would be no gorillas for me to meet in the wilds of Kent, they would all be in Africa living long and happy lives. But this is a far from ideal world and all types of gorilla are classified as Critically Endangered. At Howletts and its sister park at Port Lympne, also in Kent, there have been 130 gorilla births which presumably indicates that the animals feel "at home" enough to reproduce successfully.
As I said earlier, in an ideal world the gorillas would all be having a high old time in their natural habitat and in that sense this reason to be cheerful is also a reason to be sad because by far the biggest threat to gorillas is humans. There is a big trade in their meat and deforestation drastically reduces their habitat. In addition, they fall victim to the Ebola virus.
So, while I might look a gorilla in the eye and feel privileged to share some ancestry, he might look at me and wish that I and all my kind would just leave him alone.
Anyone who was reading my Blogging A to Z entries last year and who is blessed with a retentive memory might recall that I expressed admiration for The Kinks. Not much wonder, because they have written tons of good songs including Apeman, which seems an obvious, but dare I say brilliant, choice to go with this posting.
- Question: Have you ever been able to be close to a gorilla? Tell us more in the comments section, we want to know.
* Gorilla picture by Dozyg (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Have posted on your Google plus page. Just testing to see if this will go here. Guess I don't really get this blog thing!
ReplyDeleteAh, it worked! So, here is my post from your page, Mark.
ReplyDeleteYes, I like gorillas. And I have been close to them though sadly only in a zoo environment. Still, I believe Edinburgh Zoo is at the better end of welfare & conservation.
Much as I love the Kinks may I suggest another song. I hope this link works - (if not I guess you copy it to browser)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQm_8uoljWM
John, I am very excited that you have been able to post a comment. I know you've been working hard to do this. I enjoyed the Jake Thackray song.
DeleteI was looking at the gorilla in the zoo in Berlin years ago. He was sitting fairly far off so I turned and read the the blurb about him on the side wall. As I turned back he'd come silently right up to the glass, which I was touching with my shoulder and his face was about 2 inches from mine.
ReplyDeleteI almost literally jumped out of my skin!
So I hope they have the ability to think back and chuckle as he played a blinder on me :D
Beautiful animals.
They are indeed beautiful animals and I wonder if they have a sense of humour which would include creeping up on people. Who knows?
DeleteI would absolutely say that the biggest threat to gorillas, as well as other animals, are humans. We're destroying animals and we're destroying nature.
ReplyDeletePrecious Monsters
I fear you are absolutely right.
DeleteGorillas are amazing beings. When I look at any primates it just amazes me to see how closely we are related. I've only seen gorillas in a zoo. I feel like you do, wishing that humans would just leave animals be! I hate to hear about all the poaching that goes on. So sad! Re: the Kinks' Apeman: indeed brilliant! I forgot about this song. It's probably going to be playing in my head all day now... :)
ReplyDeleteMichele at Angels Bark
I would happily sacrifice being able to see gorillas and other animals in captivity if they could be left to thrive in the wild. If only. Glad you liked The Kinks' Apeman. Maybe they'll feature in your letter K?
DeleteHi Mark - no I haven't been up close and personal with a Gorilla - though they are incredibly magnificent creatures ... but I have been up close and personal with Mr Aspinall when he was still alive ... it was in Namibia on the Angolan border ... and he pompously waxed lyrical!! I've never been to Howletts ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteJohn Aspinall was an intriguing man. He loved the animals at Howletts and I once saw him in the gorilla enclosure with some gorillas - quite extraordinary.
DeleteI really enjoyed this piece. Really made me think.
ReplyDeleteShawn from Laughing at Life 2