What to do when a gorilla charges on you.
A gorilla charges when it senses danger or an attack or probably feels insecure or is in a bad mood
A gorilla charging is featured by a gorilla thumping its chest several times, grunting loudly , slapping the ground and releasing very strong odor that can be smelt by humans at about 26 yards away to mark it’s territory.
At this state , a gorilla is very aggressive and dangerous and it is important to keep safe in the most appropriate manner possible.
Below is what your can do when a gorilla charges on you.
Gently study the gorilla’s behaviour . This is to help you identify a suitable gorilla safety action to apply in the process of gorilla charging when the gorilla had grabbed you or tagged your clothes
Stay calm at this point. This involves remaining still and not screaming or running away . Simply act normal and tactfully ready to calm the atmosphere down .
Avoid direct eye contact with the charging gorilla . Direct Eye contact with the gorilla Is considered very provocative and intimidating and may force to gorilla to immediately harm you
Crouch down and make yourself small . This will enable the gorilla to see you as a very small ape and no challenge and instead of attacking you just calm down
Be submissive and quiet . During a gorilla charge, different attacks might be inflicted such as severe biting , tearing and slapping but remain quiet and do not try to fight back . Keep in mind that a Gorilla’s physical strength is a lot greater than that of humans.
Carry out grooming
Groom a Gorilla’s hand while loudly smacking your lips to distract the gorilla in a non threatening manner .
When it’s grip slowly relaxes gently move your griping hand to the gorilla’s hand showing keen interest in any vegetation you can come across .
Remain calm and passive until help comes or the gorilla probably loses interest in you. Trying to remove the gorilla’s hand shows a need for a challenge which will only harm you.
Conclusively, it is very important to consider being very calm at any time when dealing with the gorillas be it during charging or when just carrying out gorilla trekking
