Mountain Gorilla

MOUNTAIN GORILLA Gentle giant of the great apes Close to us in temperament With compassion and love of family Mighty vegetarian walking the Congo Hunted and endangered species. Silver-backed male Father and protector Too heavy to sleep in trees Sleeps on the jungle floor While his family sleep safely above. Babies cling to mothers’ backs Carried through the jungle With silver-back on guard for danger Loving family group of nine Moving peaceably from place to place. Villagers of the Congo Hunt and kill gorillas for meat Selling skins on the black market While hunters kidnap the young Selling them to zoos for public display. Days of gorillas in the wild are numbered Soon only to be found Gentle giants caged in zoos Paraded for human entertainment Great apes so close to us in temperament. Colin Ian Jeffery