Incredible Video: Wild Gorillas Groom Man During Park Visit…as Huge Silverback Watches
- Posted on December 23, 2011 at 7:50am by
Liz Klimas
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A man visiting Bwindi National Park in Uganda identified as John probably had one of the most fulfilling, shocking, scary, exciting, awe-inspiring moments of his life.
USA Today reports that park rangers call such encounters rare, but notes that the man was on a gorilla-watching tour, so the animals could be accustomed to humans to an extent.
The footage catches John getting groomed and thoroughly examined by a pack of baby gorillas and their mom, all while the huge daddy silverback stands close by (note: zip to 2:32 to get right to the grooming):
First, a baby gorilla checks out John. John keeps his head down to avoid appearing threatening. Right when you think it’s all over because the silverback pulls the baby away and gives John a good stare, the babies just walk behind John and set up shop grooming, as if he were one of the pack.
John gets groomed by baby gorillas under dad's watchful eye.
The female gorilla was interested in John's ear.
As John’s colleague kindly notes, papa is just three babies away. How is John feeling? “My heart is racing. [...] I feel like one of the gang.” As his colleague observes, John’s black shirt may be what helped him join the crew.
When it’s all over. Both men have a laugh of amazement — and relief.
John's expression after the gorillas leave.
Is John set to becoming the Jane Goodall of gorillas?
[H/T io9]
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Comments (154)
wrshpn
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 10:14amThat was AWESOME! This gentleman got his money worth that day, and an experience most of us will never have. Good for him.
Report Post »MEANS2RESIST
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 11:54amDick Cheney monkeying around…
Report Post »gurneyelaine
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 12:50pmWhy do you liberals always have to make such demeaning remarks. Shows how small you are
Report Post »Luke611
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 1:06pmWHOA!!! What an experience!!! Im certain this is against the rules, but if he would have had a banana to offer, those little suckers would have sat on his lap. Who wouldn’t wish for an experience equal to that?
Report Post »Victoriajensen
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:17pmThat was awesome I can just imagine the excitement in him. Too cool thanks for sharing.
Report Post »nifongnation
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:51pmObama’s family would not treat Cheney that way.
Report Post »Unix
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 9:48pmNature at it’s best, this time, next time, may not work out so good. Maybe we’ll be reading about this type of thing again sometime, who knows? Wild animals should be left to the wild, IMHO. But God’s glory shone in the Silverback, did he not! Like a good dad, he steered the young one away from the human. These wild animals are majestic, but best left alone.
Merry Christmas Blazers
Report Post »Anti_Spock
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 11:10pmAHHHHHHHHhhhhh………………………………………………………………………… stunning………………
Report Post »silentwatcher
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 11:37pmHe’s going to feel like one of his b*tches if he starts kicking his arse
Report Post »Segosa
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 1:53am@gurneyelaine… his comment wasn’t that bad. Sort of funny actually. Be open minded and don’t let things get under your skin so much. It’s time we learn to take small jokes, esp with people on our cheer leading team making remarks like nifongnation.
@nifongnation… go back to your cave and stop giving conservatives a bad name. It’s people like you that throw fuel on the fire of the liberal slander machine.
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 5:30amWhen ever I see an idiot like this I always think of ‘Timothy Treadwell.’
Good thing Gorillas aren’t big meat eaters. Still, the idea of being beaten to death by your own leg makes me shy away from such an encounter.
Report Post »dejon
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 10:47amLook the obama family is messing with a white dude again. Man, can ya just love that family.!!
Report Post »Gorp
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 11:18amThat would be awesome but I’d have to clean my shorts afterward!
Report Post »thetreyman
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 11:06pmthe racist comments are most unnecessary. grow up!
Report Post »Finley McKinney
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 6:29pmI would have needed to change my shorts.
Report Post »angelcat
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 9:46amGreat story! I‘m glad the man didn’t panic and allowed it to unfold. My cats groom my hair sometimes too, but of course that is not in the category of this man’s experience.
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 2:56pmmy horses groom me and it can be frightening to those who arent expecting it. cool story!
Report Post »LobsterBoy
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 9:45amJust when you‘re feeling like there couldn’t possibly be anything more wrong with the world and that we’re all on a fast track to hell in a handbasket, something like this comes along and offers a glimmer of hope for our existence as a species.
It’s shortlived however as you glance over to the sidebar on the same page, only to see 2 homosexuals kissing, being celebrated as some long overdue accomplishment for mankind.
Report Post »betsyyoung
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 6:10pmI am with you Lobsterboy!!
Report Post »Lucky Strikes
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 9:31amAmazing. I’m sure his thought of being killed at any second ran through his mind, but he ramianed calm and that kept him alive.
Report Post »MSrebel
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 7:04pmHe‘s lucky the silverback didn’t twist his head off and poop down his neck! Remember the lady with the male chimp, that tore the face and hands off the women’s friend. A gorilla is twice as big as full grown chimp. I’ll bet he soiled his undies!
Report Post »Sara72
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 9:28amAmazing… WOW… Thanks Blaze staff.
Report Post »semihardrock
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 9:28amthe lady in Connecticut who just had plastic surgery to re-attach her face has a little different version.
Report Post »Zen Patriot
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 10:04amYeah, difference is that the angry Chimp ate human food and smoked cigarettes.
Report Post »bucklywheat
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 11:22amGive it a rest semihardrock. Humans are much more vicious and unpredictable than gorillas and most other creatures. If we let them live in their own world there would never be confrontation. That chimp was put in a non-chimp world and expected to act like a human. It‘s owner just didn’t understand it’s language but expected it to understand hers. She should never have been allowed to have it. Wild animals should be left in their own environment. What do you expect.
Report Post »Rowgue
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 12:11pm@BUCKLEY
Chimps are actually very confrontational with each other and occassionally canibalistic in their natural enviornment. People have just been bombarded with the images of semi-domesticated chimps for so long that they have a false sense of these animals being gentle loving creatures.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 12:12pmROWGUE:
Report Post »Sort of saying that gorillas are Christian and chimpanzees are muslim? Sounds about right.
Consentiondum
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 11:37pmAnd the hippies and gays are Bonobos… love those things.
Report Post »skypilot77
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 9:25amCheck your shorts guy.
Report Post »larryj1978
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 1:00pmHe definitely pissed himself. You can see the wet spot getting bigger at the beginning of the video.
Report Post »DebbieFisher
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 8:56amIn the Garden of Eden, according to those who accept the Bible as the literal truth, this would have been an everyday sort of encounter with all of the creatures that coinhabit the earth. Every now and again, God draws back the veil of that epoch and lets us see what we have been missing, to provoke our “jealousy” (the Apostle Paul’s word) and so prod us at least in the direction toward salvation.
Oh, and my compliments to the entire visiting party for their good sense and calm demeanor in this startling encounter. When people get hurt in this sort of a scenario, it’s usually because they panic or otherwise get excited and alarm the creatures into a defensive strike.
Oh, one more thing: Did you get the impression that this family group were touring the human encampment much like the way we visit the “wildlife safari” parks here at home — and out of good will toward us at that!
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 9:27amI think I’m gonna get buck naked and go join the gorillas if humans keep acting uncivilized.
Report Post »Hydra
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 9:30amAccording to those that believe the bible is literal truth, this planet has only been around for a few thousand years. So yeah, they are idiots.
In response to the video in this article, he is lucky his face wasn’t ripped off like that lady a year or two back, wild animals are still wild yet beautiful creatures.
Report Post »hi
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 10:03amDebbie
Report Post »I like your post! Before Adam and eve sinned there was no death, destruction, nor suffering. Animals were vegetarians. Paradise will be restored when Christ returns! It will be so fun to experience this as you said!
Revelation says wolf and lamb will graze side by side which means there will be no more death or suffering!
Merry Christmas!
spikebu
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 10:24am@hydra…according to mythology, Hydra was a many (8 or 9?) headed serpent slain by Hercules. Your basic statement was the Bible is a myth and anybody who believes it is an idiot. Do you see where I’m going? Have you cast a whole bunch of stones lately? Never fear, God is very forgiving.
Report Post »spikebu
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 10:31am@v-man…I actually laughed out loud. I did not lol!
Report Post »Johnny Cocheroo
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 10:49am@Hydra
“According to those that believe the bible is literal truth, this planet has only been around for a few thousand years. So yeah, they are idiots. ”
We‘ll then you’re one of those people who believe that the universe exploded from a point that was infinitely small, when time didn’t exist and has grown into a size infinitely large. That also implies that there is another planet exactly like ours where you are doing the exact same thing at this exact moment. There are also infinite planets like ours where we have made different choices (China rules the world, we have blown ourselves up from nukes, you are a millionaire, etc).
And you’re calling them crazy?
Report Post »SgtB
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 11:31amI bet you are one of those people who believe that since there was no death in the garden of Eden, lizards just kept growing and growing along with fish and sharks and that really, the T-Rex was just an overgrown monitor lizard. Sorry, but you aren’t convincing anyone with your logic.
What this incident was, was shear f’n luck. If that guy did a single thing to upset those wild animals, they would have had him in quarters in a second flat. He is one lucky guy. End of story. And do you really believe that without humans, our planet would be full of animals that NEVER kill each other for food or territory? You have got to be delusional.
Report Post »SgtB
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 11:39am@ Johnny cocherochoo,
Your attack of someone who doesn’t take the bible for literal truth is pretty narrow and shallow. First off, you and most people in this world don’t truly understand or appreciate the big bang theory. For starters, most of you assume that there is only one universe and only one big bang. Apparently you haven’t the slightest clue how big INFINITE is do you? Also, just because you believe in the theory that we live in an expanding universe does not mean that you automatically believe in alternate realities/dimensions or the possibility of time travel. These ideas are not synonymous.
Report Post »sdavidson
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 2:00pm@SGBT You say, First off, you and most people in this world don’t truly understand or appreciate the big bang theory.
Don’t need to understand it and certainly not appreciate it as the whole theory is just that a theory. Utter ridiculousness.
Try this. Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the Heavens and the earth.
Report Post »Johnny Cocheroo
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 3:45pm@SgtB
“Your attack of someone who doesn’t take the bible for literal truth is pretty narrow and shallow.”
Sgtb…. read the posts. I wasn’t picking on him for not believing in the bible – he was picking on somebody else and I pointed out that both “theories” are equally as crazy.
I’ve got a pretty good idea of what the scientists are talking about and judging by your post, I’d be willing to say I am at least on equal footing with your knowledge. I have read & watched articles about different theories including universe expansion, contraction, rips, dissolution of gravity and the universe becoming black wasteland. I have also read about parallel universes, the stretching of time and the REAL possibility of a planet exactly like ours because of the possibility of the universe being INFINITE (do you understand the meaning?)
So what exactly aren’t I appreciating?
BTW – they actually are kinda synonymous, considering that they all theories of the universe ;-)
Report Post »Roger Bryant
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 7:48pmDebbiefisher,
Report Post »Your insight must have come from the WORD written in your heart. How delightful! — Roger
SpankDaMonkey
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 8:50am.
That was Cool…..
Merry Christmas Ya’ll……
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 9:53amYou ever going to acklowledge this avatar Monkey?
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 12:07pm.
Report Post »Yes I have several times Purple & Gold look great on you
hauschild
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 8:50amTypical, modern human with no concept of reality.
At any moment, they could snap his neck like a twig and you’d all be sending your sympathies.
Face it folks, we’re getting dumber and more unwitting with each passing year.
Report Post »bpodlesnik
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 9:35amAnd what would you have done if you were caught in that situation? Run around flailing your arms? Seriously, he had no choice but to take a seat and watch it unfold.
Report Post »bucklywheat
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 11:33amGorillas wouldn’t do that unless provoked, so back off hauschild. Who’s really the dumber. Those who are afraid to experience a true adventure of a lifetime, or the one who hides under a rock and lets the world go by? It‘s phobics like this that are dangerous to every living creature that isn’t human.
Report Post »Warphead
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 8:45amWild animals do odd things sometimes. I was once sitting out side on a deck. The deck was probably 30 feet off the ground. Suddenly I saw two glowing eyes staring at me through the deck rail. A moment later there were two more, then two more etc. Finally one was brave enough and climbed through the deck railing. It was a young raccoon. He came over and sniffed my pant leg. Then his buddies emerged. There were seven in all. I sat very still so as not to scare them. The first one that appeared stood up and put his paws on my leg. I slowly reached out to pet him and he seemed OK with it. At least he didn‘t seem to have rabies and I didn’t suspect any did considering seven had followed him. I petted him for maybe 30 seconds and then he just casually climbed up onto my lap. The little guys have sharp claws. This lasted for probably 30 to 45 minutes. During that time all seven had taken turns sitting on my lap and getting petted. As quickly as they arrived they left. I never did see them again. On my fridge there is still a picture of two raccoons sitting on my lap. My girlfriend managed to get the picture from inside the house through a window without startling our little guests.
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 8:51amThat’s so cool! You‘re lucky that the little guys weren’t rabid and that your GF had the presence of mind to grab the camera.
Merry Christmas!
Report Post »Darla_K
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 8:55amI saw a raccoon attack a guys hand and tear it up. It was a pet and did not like this guy who did not like him either.
Report Post »Warphead
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 9:00amCome to think of it I have many unusual encounters with animals. I have been around dogs that just don’t like people. The owners have warned me that they will bite. Usually within 2 to 5 minutes I’m petting the dog and he is following me around like his long lost master. Same with cats. Maybe this is why I have eight resue dogs and 1 cat. They all showed up within two months of each other. I wonder how they knew to come to my house? Well, the dogs live the good life. They have a huge yard and their own doggie mansion complete with heat & air, a front deck to lounge on and plenty of room inside. Sorry, NO Vacancies! Eight really is enough.
Report Post »Warphead
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 9:13amRabies did cross my mind and I have also heard stories of someone getting hurt badly by a raccoon. I was dealing with seven so you could say I was taking a risk. My movements were slow, deliberate and careful as to not make the animal feel as if I’m trying to grab him. After the encounter I didn’t receive so much as a nibble from any of them. There was only one who gave me trouble as he seemed facinated with my hair and ears. Try sitting still with a raccoons nose sniffing around in your ear. As for the guy who had his hand bitten. You said he didn’t like the raccoon. I would imagine the raccoon somehow felt this. Generally I have found animals to be sincere with their emotional body language and expressions, unlike most humans I deal with.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 9:55amI saw a rabbit leap ten feet and tear a mans head off. Oh wait, that was a Monty Python movie.
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 11:34am“That rabbit’s dynamite!”
Report Post »Unforgiven718
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 9:26am@Warphead:
I have had many similar encounters with raccoons, as well as skunks, opossums, and even a wild fox . I think animals can sense when you are afraid of them and if you mean them harm. I have always had an affinity for animals, and I suspect you do as well.
Report Post »Reload
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 8:41amThat would be a great story to lay on the proverbial “one upper” that everyone knows.
What an awesome experience to have!
Luck guy for sure!
Report Post »ares338
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 8:40amGorillas are amazingly gentle creatures unless you show aggression. It‘s a good thing he didn’t try to do the grooming thing himself. I wouldn’t try that with a chimp though.
Report Post »Darla_K
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 8:54amI had my picture taken with a young chimp years ago before I knew how agressive they could be.
Report Post »Darla_K
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 8:57amI cannot imagine hunters hunting them in the wild. They have always fascinated me and I could watch them for hours.
Report Post »JimmyP
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 1:26pmAnd you know the mind of a gorilla and how they define “agressiveness”? What if the gorilla
Ya know, this is a sweet, Kodak moment and perhaps this guy is a Jane Goodall expert, but I think his actions are foolhardy. I hope this doesn’t encourage your average Joe/Jill putting themselves or their kids at risk.
What if this silverback was the Ndamukong Suh of the gorilla world?
Just sayin!
Report Post »donotdrinkthekoolade
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 3:56pmThat’s a sweet sentiment, Ares, but not entirely true. If a male gorilla perceives that you are a threat, even when you are not, you are still in danger.
Report Post »JustPeachy
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 8:40amI truly hope they realize how risky this is. Wild animals can be totally unpredictable.
From the look of relief on his face after they left, it seems they do.
Glad it turned out OK!
Report Post »Devotedpatriot
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 8:40amThat was incredible and amazing! Wow!
Report Post »Wigglesworth
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 8:39amA 150 lb chimp can tear a human apart so you can imagine what a 350 lb gorilla can do.
Report Post »searching for the Truth
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 8:37amGlobal Warming theorists.
Report Post »cemerius
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 8:19amCan’t wait to read the follow up, who will think “they too” can do this and get horribly mauled?
Report Post »quicker
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 8:29amMaybe the gorilla was gay and wanted a little strange
Report Post »louise
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 8:13amSomething else!!! wow
Report Post »HOWEVER, this will not be on my bucket list!!! lol
biohazard23
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 8:11amHoly crap!!! I guess his new nickname will be Tarzan?
Report Post »grannyrecipe
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 8:07am‘So I was in the jungle the other day and all of the sudden these baby Gorillas were grooming my hair and the huge silverback male mas standing 3 feet away, staring at me point blank. No I wasn’t scared, we were doing mushrooms’.
Report Post »MattO
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 8:05amAbsolutely amazing!!!! :)
Report Post »NickDeringer
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 8:00amNice ear you got there, Dude. Be ashame if some one were to bite it off.
Report Post »americansfightingforcommonsense
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 7:59amVery cool. could have been a very bad experience had Big Daddy got involved though.
Report Post »bigdaddyt46
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 8:48amwhy would you say that???? i wouldn’t hurt anyone. LOL
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 7:53amHe would have to “groom” the poop out of my underwear…
Report Post »laurie64
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 8:37amheeheehee~~~i agree totally! but still, amazing!!!!
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