Silverback gorilla
Silverback gorillas, also known as mountain gorillas, inhabit the elevated terrains of two protected parks in Africa, covering home ranges of 10 to 15 square miles.
Nomadic in nature, they construct new nests daily at dusk using bent branches or grasses.
Recognized for their silver saddle of hair, adult male mountain gorillas, or Silverbacks, have a stocky build with long arms, broad chests, and wide hands and feet.
Living in groups, each led by a silverback, they employ intimidating behaviors to scare away other animals.
Measuring around six feet tall for males and five feet for females, and weighing approximately 350 pounds, gorillas are herbivores, primarily foraging for bamboo and leafy plants.
Discovered in 1902, they face threats from habitat destruction due to farming and fuel use, as well as poaching.
The Silverback Gorilla is the most endangered among gorilla species, succumbing to habitat loss and poaching activities intended for other animals.
Are silverback gorilla dads gentle to their own kids?
According to Zoo Atlanta, “Gorilla fathers actually play an incredible role in raising their kids. Now they may not be as active as some animal parents, but it is up to them to protect the whole gorilla troop. They also have been known to play with their youngsters very gently and can be extremely patient with their kids’ crazy antics. Gorilla dads are also extremely important to their male kids as a role model. As young male gorillas grow, they watch their father so they can learn how to be a silverback gorilla as well as how to protect and lead a troop of their own.”
While a gorilla’s behavior is never predictable, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are violent creatures.
Just look at the gorilla dad in this adorable video shared by a YouTube channel called ‘Amazing Animal by love life05.’
It was a video taken just recently at Taipei Zoo which has a rich history spanning over 90 years.
Quick trivia.
Did you know that Taipei Zoo originated in 1914 as a private zoological garden established during Japanese rule in Taiwan?
After World War II, it transitioned to public ownership and, in 1986, relocated to the Muzha district in southern Taipei.
Now, the zoo brags a whopping 165 hectares of land area.
The zoo focuses on conservation, education, research, and recreation, attracting over four million visitors annually and serving as a leader in environmental education and wildlife conservation.
Everyone, meet, D’jeeco.
According to the video’s description, D’jeeco “was born on 10/22/1998 in Bijdorp Zoo in Rotterdam and moved to Taipei Zoo on 11/24/2016.”
He has two sons, Jabali, born on October 31st, 2020 from his mother, Tayari, and Ringo, born on May 28th, 2021 from its mother, Iriki.
The video started with D’jeeco and his two little ones who were messing with him inside their enclosure. The two baby gorillas were obviously bored so they’ve both decided to annoy their dad who quietly having his me time in one corner.
Jabali and Ringo tried clinching to their dad but they were just powerless against D’jeeco.
Ringo even tried biting his dad but it didn’t bother the gentle giant, he moved not even a single inch from where he was seated.
Considering D’jeeco’s strength, he easily tossed (gently) his sons around and deflected all their petty attacks.
By the looks of it, D’jeeco was more than ready to play along with his boy’s funny antics.
This candid video of D’jeeco and his two sons, Jabali, and Ringo, is living proof that even wild animals can be loving parents to their little ones.
Watch the video below to see D’jeeco as he squares up with his two adorable sons.
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