Recent fieldwork has revealed that threats to gorillas in the wild have caused them to relocate to swamps in some areas to avoid poaching. Armed with this information, visitors continue their journey through the lush vegetation. A jumble of blown-down trees flanks the path, and the sunlight that pierces the vegetation nourishes the small fruit trees that provide food for the gorillas. Another viewing area is just ahead. Reed-like vegetation is growing in a mud wallow surrounded by what looks like elephant tracks.
Visitors have a clear view of an eroded bank, where gorillas move gracefully.
Then, civilization appears. A second viewing structure allows for intimate views of gorillas in this forest environment. Of the three subspecies of gorillas, the western lowland is the best climber, scaling 30 yards or more in search of tree fruits. A placid silverback seems to eye us on the other side of the glass, his potbelly a consequence of the especially large intestines he needs in order to digest his bulky vegetarian diet. Mist descends from the tree canopy as visitors make their way along the path.