Meet the Gentle Giants: Why Gorillas Are More Human Than You Think

When most people picture a gorilla, the image that comes to mind is often shaped by movies, myths, and outdated stereotypes: a towering, chest-beating brute lurking in the jungle. Yet nothing could be further from the truth. In reality, gorillas are among the most emotionally complex, socially intelligent, and gentle animals on Earth.

Meet the Gentle Giants: Why Gorillas Are More Human Than You Think

In fact, gorillas are more human than you think not just biologically, but emotionally, socially, and even culturally. From their deep family bonds to their ability to grieve, learn, communicate, and express compassion, gorillas blur the line we often draw between “humans” and “animals.”

In this in-depth exploration, we will meet these gentle giants up close and discover why gorillas deserve not fear, but admiration, respect, and protection.

Understanding the Gentle Giants

Gorillas are the largest living primates, yet they are also among the most peaceful. Adult males can weigh over 180 kilograms (400 pounds), while females are typically smaller but no less impressive in intelligence and emotional depth.

Despite their size, gorillas spend most of their days engaged in calm, almost meditative activities:

• Eating leaves, shoots, fruit, and stems
• Grooming family members
• Playing with infants
• Resting in close proximity to one another

Aggression within gorilla groups is rare, and when conflict does occur, it is usually resolved through displays rather than violence. This alone challenges the long-held myth of the “savage gorilla.”

When we begin to look closer at their behaviour, it becomes increasingly clear why gorillas are more human than you think.

Our Shared DNA: A Biological Connection

Humans share approximately 98% of our DNA with gorillas, making them one of our closest living relatives. This genetic closeness explains why so many of their behaviours feel strikingly familiar.

Gorillas:

• Have opposable thumbs
• Use tools in the wild
• Exhibit facial expressions similar to humans
• Experience complex emotions

Even their skeletal structure, social organization, and communication methods reflect a shared evolutionary history.

This biological connection is not just a scientific curiosity, it is the foundation for understanding why gorillas think, feel, and relate to one another in ways that feel profoundly human.

Family First: The Heart of Gorilla Society

One of the strongest reasons gorillas are more human than you think lies in their family structure.

The Gorilla Family Unit

A typical gorilla group, or troop, consists of:

• One dominant male (the silverback)
• Several adult females
• Their offspring

Contrary to popular belief, the silverback is not a tyrant. He is a protector, mediator, and caregiver whose primary responsibility is the safety and stability of the group.

Silverbacks:

• Defend their families from threats
• Break up disputes between members
• Comfort distressed infants
• Lead the group to food sources

This role mirrors that of a caring parent rather than a dictator.

Emotionally Intelligent Beings

Gorillas experience a wide range of emotions, joy, sadness, fear, empathy, and even grief.

Expressions of Emotion

Researchers and caretakers have documented gorillas:

• Laughing during play
• Sulking when upset
• Hugging one another for comfort
• Mourning deceased family members

When a gorilla dies, group members may sit silently with the body, touch it gently, or refuse to leave the area for hours or even days. Mothers have been observed carrying their deceased infants for extended periods, a behaviour deeply reminiscent of human grief.

Such moments powerfully illustrate why gorillas are more human than you think.

Communication Without Words

While gorillas do not speak languages like humans, their communication is remarkably sophisticated.

They use:

• Vocalizations (grunts, hoots, roars)
• Facial expressions
• Body posture
• Physical touch

Each sound and gesture carries meaning. A low grunt might signal contentment, while a sharp bark can indicate alarm. Chest-beating, often misunderstood as aggression, is usually a form of communication, a way to announce presence or deter conflict without fighting.

The Power of Touch and Affection

Touch plays a crucial role in gorilla relationships.

Gorillas frequently:

• Hold hands
• Groom one another
• Embrace after conflict
• Sleep close together

These behaviours strengthen bonds and reduce stress, much like human physical affection does. Young gorillas raised without sufficient social contact often show signs of emotional distress, further highlighting their deep need for connection.

Once again, we see evidence that gorillas are more human than you think.

Intelligence Beyond Instinct

Gorillas are not driven by instinct alone. They are capable of learning, reasoning, and adapting.

Problem Solving and Tool Use

In the wild and in controlled environments, gorillas have been observed:

• Using sticks to test water depth
• Fashioning tools to access food
• Learning sign language
• Remembering routines and individuals

Famous gorillas like Koko, who learned over 1,000 signs and understood spoken English, demonstrated emotional awareness, humour, and even creativity.

Culture Among Gorillas

Culture is not exclusive to humans. Different gorilla populations display distinct behaviours passed down through generations.

Examples include:

• Unique grooming styles
• Different foraging techniques
• Varied vocal patterns

These learned behaviours show that gorillas do not just survive, they learn, remember, and teach.

Mountain Gorillas: A Closer Look

Mountain gorillas, found in the forests of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, offer some of the most compelling insights into gorilla humanity.

Living in close-knit groups, they demonstrate:

• Exceptional tolerance of infants
• Strong female friendships
• Cooperative parenting

Their calm demeanour around humans during regulated ecotourism further reinforces the idea that gorillas are gentle, thoughtful beings.

Misunderstood Through Media

For decades, popular media has portrayed gorillas as monsters or symbols of raw aggression. These portrayals have done lasting damage, shaping public fear rather than understanding.

In reality:

• Gorilla attacks on humans are extremely rare
• Most confrontations occur only when gorillas feel threatened
• Given space and respect, gorillas are peaceful and curious

Changing this narrative is essential if we want people to recognize that gorillas are more human than you think and worthy of protection.

Why This Understanding Matters

Recognizing the humanity in gorillas is not just emotional, it has real-world consequences.

Conservation and Compassion

Gorillas are critically endangered due to:

• Habitat loss
• Poaching
• Disease
• Climate change

When people see gorillas as thinking, feeling individuals rather than distant animals, they are more likely to support conservation efforts.

Empathy leads to action.

What Gorillas Teach Us About Ourselves

Perhaps the most profound reason gorillas feel so human is because they reflect us back to ourselves.

They remind us:

• Strength does not require violence
• Leadership can be gentle
• Family and connection are essential
• Emotions are not weaknesses

In a world often driven by speed and conflict, gorillas embody patience, presence, and balance.

How You Can Help Protect the Gentle Giants

If learning that gorillas are more human than you think has moved you, here are ways to help:

• Support reputable conservation organizations
• Avoid products linked to deforestation
• Share accurate information about gorillas
• Choose ethical wildlife tourism

Every action, no matter how small, contributes to their survival.

Final Thoughts: More Than Just Animals

Gorillas are not monsters. They are not myths. They are not symbols of brute force.

They are parents, children, leaders, learners, and companions.

When you look into the eyes of a gorilla, you do not see a beast, you see awareness. Curiosity. Recognition.

And that is why, now more than ever, it is time to understand and accept the truth:

Gorillas are more human than you think.

At Maseke Adventure, we do not sell safaris, we design experiences that stay with you for a lifetime.