New study in Rwanda shows gorilla orphans thrive thanks to strong social ties
Issued on:
Young gorillas over the age of two that lose their mothers are still able to survive, and even thrive as relatives and group members rally round to ease the loss, a ground-breaking new study in Rwanda has revealed. The study, published in the journal eLife, uses data gathered over more than half a century in Rwanda’s famous Volcanoes National Park. It stems back to work carried out by the late renowned primatologist Dian Fossey. In this video, Kubaha, an 18-year-old male gorilla takes charge of the group and the four orphaned gorillas. Video Credit: Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.