As some of our closest genetic relatives, primates are incredibly intelligent and are always amazing us with their capabilities! From sign language to puzzles, primates often remind us of our origins in incredible ways. Seeing their behavior is often like looking into a mirror of our ancient past.
Gorillas are part of the primate subsection known as “great apes.”
Great apes include gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, and bonobos. As humans, we share from 94-99% of the DNA from these creatures. As a result, great apes are among the most intelligent creatures in the world!
Being so intelligent, most great apes can learn sign language.
If you have ever seen “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” you may know that most apes can speak to us using sign language. While they aren’t likely to take over the planet, they are beautiful and incredible creatures to watch and interact with.
One gorilla knew the rules better than the humans!
In the Miami Zoo, something pretty incredible was caught on video! As zoo-goers were watching a large gorilla, it began to motion with sign language at his audience.
After some study, it is revealed what the gorilla is trying to say.
While most people can’t sign, after a bit, the people found out what he was saying! He kept on motioning to the people “Gorilla, don’t feed” or “don’t feed gorilla.”
This is a rule that we often see in zoos.
With many animals needing special diets and care, it is unwise to take the liberty to feed zoo animals. The animal may not react well to the food.
It seems this gorilla knew that the humans weren’t allowed to feed him.
This gorilla knew that he might get in trouble if he weaseled food from the watchers. We can’t see off-camera but it seems he was doing it for a reason.
As a little time goes by, a man throws a piece of an orange to the gorilla.
Breaking the rules, a man threw food to the massive ape. The gorilla must have seen the man getting ready to try and feed him and attempted to stop him. Seeing the man breaking the food up, he said “don’t feed me” to him!
Despite the gorilla’s request, the man still threw the food.
What is funny is that the gorilla knew that he shouldn’t have the food! After slyly catching the orange, he turned to see if the keeper was watching and proceeded to enjoy.
We hear the keeper get angry with the people soon after.
Understandably, once the keeper saw that someone fed the gorilla, he was a bit upset. You can’t blame the gorilla, especially after he tried to stop him! Like a human saying, “no, I really shouldn’t…but alright,” the gorilla tried to resist but couldn’t.
Regardless of the ethics behind the situation, it is pretty amazing to see.
The man shouldn’t have fed the gorilla, we get that, but it sure was a funny situation! Watching the gorilla respond to the rules much like a child is incredible to see.
Check out the video below!
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