DEEP in
the equatorial rain forest of the Central African Republic lies a natural
treasure that few have ever seen. We endured a 12-hour drive over rough trails
to reach the Dzanga-Ndoki National Park, a pristine wildlife reserve in the
southwest corner of the country, between Cameroon and Republic of the Congo.
Our goal was to meet Makumba, a western lowland gorilla, and Makumba’s family.
Along with our guide,
we were led by a tracker from the BaAka people, considered a Pygmy group
because of their physical traits and short stature. By means of the faintest
sights, smells, and sounds, the skilled native tracker can detect the presence
of the most elusive animals. Swarms of maddening sweat bees surrounded us. We
struggled to keep up as he strode with ease through the dense vegetation.
Soon our tracker was taking us through virgin
forest where few Westerners have ever trod. Then, abruptly, he stopped and
waved his arms over a large area near our path. There we could see crushed
bushes and matted grass where young gorillas had been playing, as well as
broken and stripped branches—the remnants of a midmorning snack. Our
anticipation mounted as we continued on.
A western lowland gorilla can grow to 6 feet (1.8 m) tall and
weigh over 440 pounds (200 kg)
After about two miles (3 km), the tracker
slowed his pace. To avoid startling the gorillas, he made a clack-clack noise
with his tongue. Close by, we could hear deep grunts punctuated by snapping
branches. Our guide slowly waved us forward. With a finger to her lips, she
indicated absolute silence. She told us to crouch and pointed through the
trees. About 26 feet (8 m) ahead, we saw him—it was Makumba!
The once boisterous forest was now quiet, and
all we could hear was the beating of our hearts. Of course, the question on our
minds was, Would Makumba charge? Makumba turned his leathery face in our
direction and, after what seemed to be a casual evaluation, welcomed us with a
yawn. Needless to say, we were relieved!
Although in the Aka language the name Makumba
means “Speedy,” during our time together, Makumba simply enjoyed a leisurely
morning meal. Nearby, two juveniles wrestled and tickled each other. Sopo, a
saucer-eyed ten-month-old, played near his mother, Mopambi, who gently pulled
him back whenever his boundless curiosity led him out of arm’s reach. The rest
of the family either stripped leaves and pith from branches or frolicked in
groups, briefly glancing at us before losing interest and resuming their play.
After an hour, our time was up. Makumba seemed
to feel the same, and with a single grunt, he hoisted himself up with his
massive arms and moved off into the forest. Within seconds, the entire family
vanished. Though we could spend only a short time with these magnificent
creatures, the experience will stay with us for many years to come.
1
GORILLA LIFE
Gorillas build their ponderous bodies one
shoot, branch, and leaf at a time, our guide explained. They also eat insects
and seasonal fruits and can travel up to 2.4 miles (4 km) a day in search of
food. The family may sleep on the ground or build nests in trees. The dominant
male is called a silverback, since the fur on his back grays with age. The
silverback usually sleeps on the ground to protect his family.
To help the gorillas become accustomed to
humans, trackers visit them every day for at least five years. Habituated
gorillas, as they are called, may then be visited by tourists, whose park entry
fees help pay for research and for the conservation of this endangered species.
Taken from AWAKE magazine at www.jw.org
No comments:
Post a Comment