Numerous Silverback Gorillas Clash with Fury in a Battle for Dominance

Gorillas are usually regarded as gentle giants. They share 98.3 percent of their genetic code with humans so they are one of our closest cousins. These guys are the largest of the great apes with broad chests and wide shoulders.

There are two gorilla species alive today which are the eastern gorilla and the western gorilla. Both species are found in equatorial Africa and their habitats are separated by about 560 miles of Congo Basin forest. Within the species, there are also subspecies such as the western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla).

In the clip below, we see how aggressive male gorillas can be towards each other.

Watch the Gripping Footage Below

Gorilla Social Groups

Gorillas live in groups comprising between four and six adults and their young – most groups are between two and 32 individuals. This is common amongst diurnal primates and helps to protect them from predators.

Within the group, there is one dominant mature male (a silverback) and around three of four females but some groups are larger. Female offspring usually stay with the group but the males leave when they are in adolescence. They live alone until they can establish their social group although they may also take some of the females from the original group with them.

Conflict Amongst Gorillas

The conflict in this clip has escalated into violence and is amongst several males. Female gorillas compete with each other for social access to the males but the silverbacks intervene to stop the disputes from escalating. Females can also be quite hostile to other females that they are not related to. Overall, the silverbacks keep a check on aggression amongst other gorillas.

However, aggression between silverbacks can break out. Severe fights between adult males are usually connected with gaining mating rights over females. It is not unusual to see silverbacks with wounds and scars after such conflicts. We hope that none of the gorillas were too severely injured in this incident!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Jurgen Vogt/Shutterstock.com