"In the dense trees and forests of Africa, the Lowland Gorilla finds its home. There they live in families where the old silverback male dominates and protects the smaller females and their young. I saw this particular male in a zoo setting. The keeper just finished putting out new bamboo leaves and fruits in various places for enrichment for the gorillas. I waited for the gorillas to be released back into the enclosure.The smaller females were released first and they found the fruit hidden in the bamboo shoots. They picked up the fruit and carefully began to eat them. Soon I heard a loud thundering noise of the huge silverback male running full speed to where the females were sitting. The ground shook as he flew over the hill and across the waterfall. One female screamed and burst out through the trees, jumped up and grabbed a vine and sailed across the water out of the path of the silverback! She knew better than to stay and finish her fruit treats there. The gorilla is known more for its show of power than for actual confrontation, but obviously the female made the right choice to move. The power and strength of the silverback was definitely demonstrated that day. These amazing creatures have been killed and hunted for body parts by bounty hunters. Thanks to the African government and many individuals the killing is being reduced. I hope to see them in the wild some day."