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Nov 30 2007

How Mountain Gorillas see, hear, touch, smell and taste

Published by admin at 10:23 am under Mountain Gorillas

The 5 Senses of Mountain Gorillas

Sight: Mountain Gorillas see more or less like we do. So they distinguish colors, dimensions and objects that are close by.

Smell: Their smell is probably a bit more developed than that of men. Interestingly the Silverback spreads a very particular smell from his armpits. This is why, if you are ever visiting Mountain Gorillas, the guide will tell you when he can smell them. The Silverback emits this odor when he senses strangers in his midst.

Taste: Mountain Gorillas have the same taste sense as man. It is very important for them because it teaches them how to avoid poisonous plants.

Sound: This sense is not as strong as ours.

Touch: Mountain Gorillas’ sense of touch is less sensitive than ours. These animals have the protection of hairs, and very thick skin on the soles of their feet and the palms of their hands. Mountain Gorillas are also able to eat nettles for example and do not suffer from wasp stings like we do, simple because they do not react like we do.

Photo_Buhanga 047.jpg

Buhanga, the Silverback, emits a smell when he senses strangers

Finally, we are going to Nairobi tomorrow for 1 week. We have been invited there to help with people who are writing a children’s book on the Mountain Gorillas of DR Congo, and the Kabirizi Family. We have never left DR Congo (apart from a brief trip to neighboring Rwanda), or been in a plane - so it is going to be an exciting adventure for us. We will take many pictures and post them here. In the meantime Jean Bosco, Director Mushenzi and Samantha will post some blogs while we are away on what is going on.

Diddy & Innocent


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34 Responses to “How Mountain Gorillas see, hear, touch, smell and taste”

  1. # Lisa, Californiaon 30 Nov 2007 at 10:26 am

    Diddy and Innocent, Thanks for a great post and good luck on your trip. How exciting for you! Can’t wait to hear how it went and see pictures. Lisa

  2. # Sheryl, Washington, DCon 30 Nov 2007 at 12:01 pm

    Oh wow, have a safe trip to Nairobi and take lots of pictures. Sounds very exciting!

    Thanks for a really great update, too. Looking forward to your post-trip report.

    s.

  3. # Robin, Johannesburg, Californiaon 30 Nov 2007 at 12:30 pm

    That’s very exciting, Diddy & Innocent! Have a wonderful trip. I can’t wait to hear all about it.

  4. # Wanda, Atlantaon 30 Nov 2007 at 12:42 pm

    You guys will have great write-ups and pics I know that — stay safe!

  5. # F. J. PECHIRon 30 Nov 2007 at 12:59 pm

    SOME GOOD NEWS!!!!!
    THE CONGO MINISTER OF THE ENVIRONMENT DIDACE PEMBE BOKIAGA HAS OFFICIALLY DECLARED EARLIER THIS MONTH THE SANKURU RESERVE TO PROTECT THE ENDANGERED BONOBOS. THIS RESERVE INCLUDES 11,803 SQUARE MILES OF THE PEACE FOREST. AND IS ENDORSED BY THE BONOBO CONSERVATION INICIATIVE IN WASHINGTON D.C. THE DIRECTOR OF BCI´S CONGOLOSE NGO PARTNER, ANDRE TOSUMBA, LED THIS CONSERVATION EFFORT IN SANKURU. THE INITIAL SUPPORT HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY THE GREAT APE CONSERVATION FUND. This reserve will, if all goes weel, protec also all the endangered wildlife of the area including okapis, elephants and more than 20 monkey species. I´m very glad to know this excellent news!

  6. # F. J. PECHIRon 30 Nov 2007 at 1:13 pm

    Our friends of Lola Bonobo must be really happy. But, as always, we must first see what really happen in the practice about this new bonobo reserve. I hope that this initiative really works!

  7. # Linda Nunnon 30 Nov 2007 at 2:15 pm

    Have a great trip you two! Enjoy Nairobi & am sure the book will be fabulous.

  8. # Sheryl, Washington, DCon 30 Nov 2007 at 2:32 pm

    While we’re on the subject of bonobos, it doesn’t look like they’re going to win this month’s SearchKindly poll.

    s.

  9. # F. J. PECHIRon 30 Nov 2007 at 2:33 pm

    Friends of Bonobos is in second place now in Search Kindly, please keep voting!

  10. # Sherri S.on 30 Nov 2007 at 2:53 pm

    Have a safe trip! Let us know when the book comes out — I’m sure my nephews would love it!

  11. # F. J. PECHIRon 30 Nov 2007 at 2:59 pm

    More good news!! WWf and authorities from DR Congo are celebrating the plantation of over 10 million trees around the Virunga National Park, and US$150,000 have been invested in this project in the last two months. If you remember the WWF plant this trees in order to try to stop the deforestation in the park in hands of the refugees of war. Many of the fuel utilized by this people has been from this plantations, helping to reduce the damage to the virunga forest, home of our beloved gorillas. A new forestry project jointly funded by Europaen Union and WWF will help communities to plant over 2000 hectares in North Kivu during the next 5 years, and again, this will help in the preservation of the original forests, since the people will use this plantations for fuel and the wood will be sold.

  12. # cathy-californiaon 30 Nov 2007 at 3:19 pm

    PLEASE VOTE SEARCHKINDLY for the
    BONOBOS. We are only 2% behind the current leader. I think the voting ends Sunday evening so there is STILL TIME.

  13. # Brunoon 30 Nov 2007 at 5:02 pm

    Have a great trip, I hope you enjoy yourselves !!

  14. # cathy-californiaon 30 Nov 2007 at 5:16 pm

    Diddy and Innocent,
    Have a safe and productive trip.

  15. # Pam/Shell Beach CAon 30 Nov 2007 at 5:42 pm

    Thanks Diddy & Innocent for the update. Have a great adventure on your trip!
    And thanks F. J. Pechir for the updates as well. It’s interesting info.
    Also, I heard another report on from Goma on NPR this morning. I keep hoping they will do a profile on the displaced rangers!

  16. # Baerbel, Germanyon 30 Nov 2007 at 5:46 pm

    I can only second and third what others have already written: have a safe and interesting trip to Kenia, Diddy and Innocent!

    Thanks for keeping us posted on all that is going on.

  17. # Annie/Texason 30 Nov 2007 at 8:42 pm

    I am voting voting!I really hope Bonobos can win…. Innocent and Diddy thank you so much for the great info…I am learning so much from you guys…have a safe trip! Saying a prayer for you guys! Take care!!

  18. # scarleton 30 Nov 2007 at 10:46 pm

    have a wonderful trip! i’m looking forward to seeing the pics and reading all about it.

  19. # Emmanuel (WildlifeDirect)on 01 Dec 2007 at 3:01 pm

    I just voted for Lola ya Bonobo. They’re 1/2 percent ahead. If anyone else can vote for them, it will make all the difference!

  20. # sheryl, washington dcon 01 Dec 2007 at 7:16 pm

    I’ve been visiting the business center here at my apartment complex every morning and voting on all the computers, as well as on my home computers. I think the holiday season has taken people away from their Internet duties.

    s.

  21. # Lisa, Californiaon 01 Dec 2007 at 9:41 pm

    I’m voting, voting, voting and keeping my fingers crossed that we can pull ahead! Lisa

  22. # Annie/Texason 02 Dec 2007 at 12:50 am

    I am still voting too…I love all animals…I noticed their was one for dogs and cats…second time rescue or something…I feel bad but still voted for the Bonobos!

  23. # cathy-californiaon 02 Dec 2007 at 12:55 am

    Annie, I felt bad too. If YLB wins, we could nominate Second Rescue(?) in Jan!

  24. # cathy-californiaon 02 Dec 2007 at 12:56 am

    Annie, I felt bad too. If LYB wins, we could nominate Second Rescue(?) in Jan!

  25. # cathy-californiaon 02 Dec 2007 at 6:43 am

    Bonobos are ahead by 3%. For anyone reading this who doesn’t know, please click on SearchKindly and vote Bonobo.
    Please keep voting. There is a real chance we could win. The voting will end at some point Sunday Dec 2nd.

  26. # cathy-californiaon 02 Dec 2007 at 4:33 pm

    We were behind but as of 12:30pm, we are 1/2% ahead. Please vote, every single vote counts.

  27. # bettyon 02 Dec 2007 at 5:55 pm

    Have a great trip. Will be anxious to hear all about it. Take care. Enjoy.

  28. # cathy-californiaon 03 Dec 2007 at 2:11 am

    Bummer. We came in 2nd on SearchKindly. I have contacted the website and requested that they allow us to run again but I’m not sure when that will be. I’ll keep you posted.

  29. # sheryl, washington dcon 03 Dec 2007 at 5:20 am

    Thanks for doing that, Cathy. I’m really disappointed, too, because I know you and a few others (Lisa, Gary, myself) really put in some time to get us ahead. It was a very close vote. We’ll get it next time!

    s.

  30. # Lisa, Californiaon 03 Dec 2007 at 10:51 am

    That’s a bummer! We were ahead in the polls just a bit for alittle while. Yes, we’ll get it next time. Lisa

  31. # Debbieon 03 Dec 2007 at 11:17 am

    Hello everyone,
    I have found a site that allows you to make a RSS feed widget to be placed on your website. If anyone has their own blog page, myspace page or website you can place the widget to help direct more people to this site and possibly help get more donations for our brave rangers. I have placed it on my myspace page already and plan on putting it on my usspmg.org site when I update the site. the myspace page is
    http://www.myspace.com/usspmg incase anyone wants to see what the widget looks like. I have it under the interests section. I am so happy to see so many caring people and am truly thankful for this venue to help bring us all together. I am blessed to hear all your thoughts and to know my feelings are shared by people like you. Thanks to the supporters of WildlifeDirect for constant caring and action. We will get the word out to save our precious wildlife and our endangered environment.
    Love to you all,
    Debbie
    P.S. I voted on all three of my computers with 2 browsers on each one everyday. I am sorry the Bonobo came in second.

  32. # Debbieon 03 Dec 2007 at 11:18 am

    I forgot to put the widget site url…
    sorry
    http://www.springwidgets.com/express/getFeed/

  33. # cathy-californiaon 03 Dec 2007 at 11:40 am

    Thanks to everyone who voted for the bonobos. I do think we will win next time!

  34. # F. J. PECHIRon 03 Dec 2007 at 12:39 pm

    More good news! In the December NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC magazine our gorillas have an space…a couple of pictures of Mburanumwe(the silverback), and Senkwekwe(the pregnant female) from the Rugendo family, both of them, among others, killed last july. NatGeo only give a few comments but Wildlife Direct, with others institutions, are mentioned. It will bring more readers to this blogs, and, undoubtely, will help in spread the world about the situation there in the Virunga National Park and its endangered wildlife.

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