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THROUGH E L G N U J E TH G N O L Y A D ALL Although their mighty teeth suggest otherwise, gorillas are herbivores and primarily feed off leaves, small branches, and roots. On rare occasions, fruits are on the menu too. Since plants have a low energy count, the animals are busy looking for food most of the day. In doing so, they roam areas that are up to 30 square kilometres big. The food search is only interrupted by an extended break around midday. Gorillas sleep in nests on the ground or in trees that they can build within a few minutes using branches.
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Thanks to the work of Fossey, environmental organisations endeavour intensively to preserve the gorillas that live in several national parks guarded by rangers. Until her violent death in 1985, the researcher herself appeared in talk shows in her home country to promote the protection of the animals. Her book, ÂťGorillas in the MistÂŤ, was made into a film starring Sigourney Weaver in 1988. But the ongoing deforestation of the rainforests still destroys the natural habitat of these noble animals. And the hunt for their meat, the so-called bushmeat, still poses a threat for their survival. Time will tell whether the efforts of Fossey will help the gorillas in the long run.
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