Nature & Environment

Ranger takes selfie with 'human-like' gorillas

By T.K. Randall
April 22, 2019

Image: Western Lowland Gorilla at Cincinnati Zoo
Credit: Kabir Bakie / CC BY-SA 2.5 (adapted) The picture, which was taken in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Virunga National Park, shows anti-poaching ranger Mathieu Shamavu in front of two young gorillas who have both adopted a remarkably human-like way of standing upright on two legs.

The photograph has gained international attention in the media and has helped to highlight the work that Shamavu and his fellow rangers do every day to protect the last few gorillas from poachers.

It's dangerous work - as evidenced by the fact that five rangers were killed last year alone.The two gorillas in the picture, who have lived in a special gorilla orphanage for most of their lives, have learned to imitate their human protectors.

"I was very surprised to see it... so it's very funny," said park deputy director Innocent Mburanumwe.

"It's very curious to see how a gorilla can imitate a human and stand up."



Source: ABC.net.au

Tags: Gorilla, Poaching