How do mother gorillas take care of their babies?

All living species have a special way of taking care of their infants and there is believed to be a strong bond between the mothers and their babies across all the species.

So how is this case with the mountain gorillas?
Mountain gorillas are found in the Virunga Mountains where they are protected in three separate cross-border habitats; Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Virunga National Park in DR Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The area is referred to as the Virunga Conservation Area and it also includes many other tourist attractions like golden monkeys and other primates, mammals, birds, and several volcanic summits.

A baby gorilla with its mum in Bwindi forest

The second mountain gorilla habitat is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda located outside the Virunga Mountains in the North. This habit has got the highest number of Mountain gorillas with more than half of their global population living here.

Mountain gorillas attract the highest number of tourists in the region who arrange gorilla safaris to trek these large and gentle primates in their natural habitat.

Mountain gorillas are the largest living primates and they share about 98% of the human DNA.

Gorilla mothers are perhaps the most loving primates to their infants as they provide complete care to the young ones during their first few years in the wild.

Mother gorillas do carry their young ones everywhere against their chest after birth and later they have them ride on their backs

Although this takes a lot of extra energy especially considering that they travel with their families every day coupled with feeding the babies, it seems the mothers have fully embraced this challenge for the sake of their babies.

Unlike humans and maybe other species, gorilla mothers hardly allow other family members to carry or handle their infants though sometimes a few members are allowed to lend a hand.

According to the researchers of the Fossey Fund in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, a few family members who are allowed by the gorilla mothers to lend a hand in carrying the baby gorillas are usually young females who have not yet given birth and were thus practicing their baby-handling skills. Others were maternal relatives to mothers like sisters and aunts.

The study revealed that non-mother handling of gorilla infants is less common compared to other primates. This was attributed to the weaker relationship between adult female gorillas than that of other primates.

However, the researchers were still puzzled about the benefits of infant handling. Could the practice be helping mothers to feed more freely or it relieves them of the burden of transporting them for long distances? For handlers, maybe it gives them an opportunity to become more successful future mothers.

What about other primates?

Golden Monkey in Mgahinga Gorilla NP

Among other primates like golden monkeys, the story is different. Monkey moms are more likely to accept help from other females who are mothers too and they also allow their infants to nurse from other mothers who also have infants. The bond among monkey moms who may not be related is stronger than that of mountain gorillas and that is why baby handling is far easier in the monkey community.

How you can trek mountain gorillas

Trekking mountain gorillas from either the parks within the Virunga Mountains or from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda is done all-year-around and has been described as one of the best wildlife experiences in the world.

What do you need to trek mountain gorillas?

Acquiring a gorilla permit is the key to trekking mountain gorillas. Gorilla permits are very limited on the market due to high demand and conservation regulations. Therefore, travelers who want to trek mountain gorillas are advised to book for their gorilla permits in advance (at least one year).

The best way to secure a gorilla permit is by contacting a trusted local tour agent like Gorilla Trek Africa. The agent is always in touch will the local tour authority who sells the permits. Usually, agents first bay a fee to the authority to book your permit and they purchase it fully when your trekking date is almost due.

In addition to buying your gorilla trekking permit, the agent will also help to arrange your accommodation and transport in all the destinations where you will be touring.