The Boss

This is the dominant silverback of the Umubano family. His name is Charles and he is a very brave leader. At the time of this photo, he was the only silverback in his family. Currently, there is another silverback in the family named Bunyenyeri. However, Charles continues to be the dominant leader..

comments (8)

Claire Hamilton

Lion

What an utterly amazing experience to come face to face with such a magnificent animal. Posted 8 years ago
1. burak_dogansoysal
  
  Giant Tortoise
  
  I've have also been charged by this beast. It was not my favourite experience : ) Posted 8 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    That must have been scary! I heard that most of their charges are bluff, only meant to establish dominance, not to injure. What did you do when it happened? Avoid eye contact? Posted 8 years ago
  2. 1. burak_dogansoysal
      
      Giant Tortoise
      
      Yes, it was a mock charge. When that 175cm 210 kg beast runs towards you while pounding his chest, you instinctively drop down like a potato sack, avoid eye contact and wait for his anger to pass. It was probably 30 seconds of action but felt like a couple of hours to me. This is just after the first mock charge. Look at the focal length; 70 mm : ) It even got closer, brushed on me and sat next tome with his back touching my back. I really wish I had a wide angle lens with me at that moment. Posted 8 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        That's incredible! I have one more question. They say that it is recommended to avoid direct eye contact, how do you deal with that regarding photography? Do they see a camera as a threat or direct eye contact? Posted 8 years ago
    3. burak_dogansoysal
      
      Giant Tortoise
      
      No, they don't mind being photographed at all. But if you are filming and you set a tripod, especially the youngsters will come and check-it out. With some families, they don't let you go with a monopod or a tripod; probably the gorillas in that group have an unpleasant history. They don't mind the flash as well and some rangers say it's OK to use flash. However I advise against it for 2 reasons: 1- It probably irritates them as much as it irritates humans. 2- For quality reasons. A dark black object surrounded by the bush, with a regular flash, you will have too much shadows and reflections. Posted 8 years ago
  3. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Oh and thank you so much for taking Rwana of the list! Posted 8 years ago
  4. 1. burak_dogansoysal
      
      Giant Tortoise
      
      My pleasure... Posted 8 years ago

The Mountain gorilla

The mountain gorilla is one of the two subspecies of the eastern gorilla. There are two populations. One is found in the Virunga volcanic mountains of Central Africa, within three National Parks: Mgahinga, in south-west Uganda; Volcanoes, in north-west Rwanda; and Virunga in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo . The other is found in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Some primatologists say that the Bwindi population in Uganda may be a separate subspecies, though no description has.. more

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Similar species: Primates

Species identified by burak_dogansoysal