All articles tagged with #gorillas
Research from Rwanda shows that female gorillas maintain strong social bonds over many years, often seeking out old friends when they move to new groups, highlighting the importance of female-female relationships in gorilla society and their role in social structure and dispersal.
Scientists from the University of Buffalo have identified a genetic mutation responsible for the small penises of male gorillas, which measure just 1.1 inches on average. This adaptation is linked to their polygynous mating system, where the alpha male's physical dominance reduces sperm competition. The study also suggests that these genetic findings could help explain certain cases of male infertility in humans, as similar mutations were found in genes linked to reproductive function.
A new study based on years of observation of mountain gorillas reveals that chest beating serves as an honest demonstration of body size, with larger males producing deeper sounds to broadcast their dominance and keep rival males away. The thumping is believed to diffuse fights rather than provoke them, as smaller males use their own chest thumps to alert dominant males of their presence while demonstrating they're no match physically. Additionally, the chest thumps correlate to reproductive success and may influence female behavior, with future studies set to explore their impact on attracting females from other social groups.
Michael R. Cranfield, a renowned veterinarian and wildlife conservationist, has died from West Nile virus, believed to be the first fatal case in the region this year. Cranfield, who led efforts to save Africa's endangered gorillas, fell ill after returning from a trip to Canada and was later diagnosed with West Nile virus and Powassan virus. The West Nile virus, transmitted through mosquito bites, has infected over 1,600 people in 44 states this year. There are no vaccines or effective treatments for the virus. Cranfield's work at the Maryland Zoo and the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project made significant contributions to animal health and conservation.
Animals, including primates like gorillas and bonobos, sometimes adopt the young of others for various reasons. Adoption can confer evolutionary advantages, such as providing caregiving experience for females without offspring and increasing their future young's survival chances. Adoption can also bridge social groups and boost social status. However, there can be negative outcomes, such as competition for attention between adoptive and biological offspring. The reasons behind animal adoptions can vary, from empathy and fascination with infants to misplaced maternal instincts or potential future favors. Orcas, in particular, have been observed adopting baby pilot whales, although the exact reasons remain a mystery.
Correspondent Bill Whitaker traveled to the Impenetrable Forest in Uganda with American virus trackers to locate and prevent the next virus from jumping from wildlife to humans. The forest is home to a growing population of mountain gorillas, and park ranger Wilbur Tumwesigye demonstrated his ability to communicate with the gorillas using their different sounds. Whitaker described the experience of observing the gorillas up close as magical.
A recent study published in Nature Ecology and Evolution reveals that there was a gene flow event from an extinct gorilla population to present-day eastern gorillas. By analyzing the genomes of gorillas, researchers discovered that up to 3% of the genome of eastern gorillas contains genes from this extinct lineage, which separated from the common ancestors of all gorillas over 3 million years ago. The study also found that the genetic input from the extinct ancestors can have functional effects on present-day species, such as the introduction of a bitter taste receptor gene that may have been under positive selection. This research provides valuable insights into the evolutionary history of gorillas and the effects of gene flows from extinct populations.
A research study led by the University of Vienna and the Institute of Evolutionary Biology has discovered evidence of gene flow from an extinct gorilla population to present-day eastern gorillas. The study analyzed the genomes of gorillas using modern statistical methods and found that up to 3% of the genome of eastern gorillas includes genes from the extinct population. The researchers also identified functional effects of this genetic input, including the introduction of a bitter taste receptor gene that may have been under positive selection. The study provides valuable insights into the evolutionary history of gorillas and the effects of gene flow from extinct populations.
The Toronto Zoo is requesting visitors to refrain from showing gorillas cell phone videos, as the unmoderated content can be upsetting and addictive to the primates. Signs have been posted to remind visitors not to show the animals any videos or photos, as it can affect their behavior and relationships within their family. One gorilla, Nassir, is particularly susceptible to videos and screen time. While the zoo does play videos for the gorillas, they carefully select the content to ensure it is appropriate. The zoo aims to allow the gorillas to be gorillas and connect with visitors on a natural level.
The Toronto Zoo is asking visitors to refrain from showing cellphone videos and photos to its gorillas, as some content can be upsetting and affect their relationships and behavior within their family. While no significant behavioral changes have been observed, the zoo wants to ensure the gorillas' lives remain as natural as possible. One gorilla named Nassir has shown a particular interest in videos and screen time, causing him to be distracted from interacting with other gorillas. The zoo already allows controlled viewing of nature documentaries for the gorillas and wants to ensure the content they see is appropriate.
The Toronto Zoo is asking visitors to refrain from showing videos to the gorillas, as it is disrupting their family relationships and behavior. One gorilla has become particularly "enthralled" by screen time. The zoo wants visitors to observe the gorillas in their natural state and connect with them on that level. Another zoo in Chicago had to put up a rope line to prevent visitors from showing their phones to a gorilla, as it caused behavioral changes.
Gorillas display remarkable resilience that exceeds that of humans and other species, according to a study by the University of Michigan. Gorillas who survive beyond the age of six appear largely unscathed by the difficulties experienced in their youth, indicating a superior capacity to overcome adversities compared to humans. The study identified six different types of early life adversity, including losing a parent, witnessing the death or killing of infants in their group, experiencing social group instability, having a limited number of age-mates in the social group, and having a sibling born soon after them. The researchers propose several theories to explain the resilience of these mountain gorillas, including the supportive nature of gorilla social groups and the resource-rich environment in which they live.
Gorillas who experienced early life adversities but survived until the age of 6 did not suffer long-term consequences in adulthood, in contrast to what has been observed in other species. Researchers from the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and the University of Michigan found that gorillas who survived past age six were largely unaffected by difficulties they encountered as infants or juveniles. Gorillas have very tight-knit social groups and live in a resource-rich environment, which may contribute to their resilience to early life adversity. The study suggests that species similar to humans can have significant resilience to early life adversity.
African mountain gorillas can provide scientists with information about diseases that may afflict humans as well as the interaction between the two. Gorillas are susceptible to diseases that tourists may carry, making it important for visitors to wear masks and keep a distance from the animals. Collecting food scraps soaked in saliva from an endangered species offers a noninvasive way of monitoring the gorillas for infectious diseases. Gorilla Doctors, a nonprofit group, helps care for the primates and works with other organizations to monitor their health and treat them if they become sick or injured.