Gorilla Research

Gorilla Research

There has been quite a bit of research on gorillas in the past couple of decades. Observing them in the wild is very different from doing so at the zoo. From observing them in the wild we have been able to successfully create homes for them in captivity where they are comfortable and where they are able to reproduce without problems. The research we have shows that gorillas are in danger of extinction if we don’t change our ways of destroying them their habitat.

The link between gorillas and humans is one that fascinates the world of science. The DNA of the two are so very closely related that we have to consider the fact that we may be a descendent of this animal. However, not everyone is willing to accept that type of theory – mainly because it makes them very uncomfortable. There is definitely much more about gorillas that we need to learn but it does take time.

Through gorilla research we know that these are very intelligent animals. They are able to learn a variety of skills that are taught to them. In the wild they do this as well through the use of tools for protection and to open up shells on nuts. They are able to adapt to a variety of new environments due to the way they are able to process information.

The level of communication that gorillas have with each other is better than just about any animal out there. They are known to have their own languages but we can’t interpret a great deal of it. They also are extremely caring and loving towards their offspring. They migrate for food on a daily basis which is very interesting to researchers.

What also fascinates them is that they gorillas will never sleep in the same nest twice. It isn’t understood why this is other than the fact that they move for food so they will need a new resting place. Yet even when they nap during the day and then sleep in the same area at night they will create a new nest each time.

Research has shown that gorillas are susceptible to a variety of different types of illnesses as well that humans get. They include measles, viruses, and even various types of intestinal problems. While these problems can occur in the wild it is very important that people working with gorillas in captivity are free of such problems so that the germs aren’t shared with them. Pneumonia is another common health problem that needs to be closely watched with those in captivity.

There is still so much that we don’t know about gorillas though. They have been heavily observed in the wild for the past 30 years, but that has also raised a variety of questions. Their level of intelligence as well as strong devotion to each other is very interesting to learn about. These are just a couple of ways in which they are very closely like humans.

There is plenty we don’t know either about where gorillas came from. The evolution process is one that has many theories but not enough information to really understand how they came to be the powerful animals that we know them as today.

While it is hard to get an exact number of gorillas in the wild due to them moving so often, the numbers are drastically low. They continue to be going down too and that is an area of research that has many concerned. Hopefully the research that has been done will help ensure that the conservation efforts in place are going to be a good way to see those numbers increasing.