Support Gorilla Conservation >
What is a Silverback Gorilla?
A silverback mountain gorilla is an adult male identifiable by the swathe of silver hair on its back. As well as this impressive signifier of maturity, they are famed for displays of aggression and dominance including whooping, charging, chest beating, tree slapping, and less commonly, physical duels.
A typical silverback weighs 430 pounds (195 kg) and stands 5 feet (1.5m) tall. Silverbacks are incredibly strong and can lift over 1763 pounds (800kg) of dead weight. That’s roughly twice as much as a well trained weightlifter. In the wild, a silverback uses its immense strength to fell trees in order to reach their fruits. This makes mountain gorillas a keystone species in Virunga, since they significantly affect the ecology of their environment.
-
01The Dominant Silverback
A male gorilla matures into a silverback at around fourteen years old. Although there can be multiple silverbacks within a troop, there is always one male that dominates over all other gorillas (except in rare instances of matriarch-led troops). In Virunga National Park, habituated families are normally named after the silverback leading the troop at the beginning of the habituation process – a method of conservation by which gorilla families become accustomed to close contact with humans.
-
02The Silverback - Female Relationship
Mature females regularly migrate between families to improve reproductive chances and avoid inbreeding. No matter the family a female belongs to, she will strive to have close contact and a strong bond with the dominant silverback. This helps prevent harassment from other males and reduces the threat of hostility from non-related females encountered through migration.
-
03Blackbacks and Subordinate Silverbacks
The ultimate goal of all silverbacks is to maximize chances of reproductive success by becoming dominant. A blackback is mature sexually but not physically strong enough to challenge for dominance. Once a male develops into a silverback he may then form a coalition with the dominant silverback or challenge for control of the troop.
01
The Dominant Silverback
A dominant silverback is responsible for directing troop activities such as nesting, feeding and migration between seasonal feeding areas. While vying to retain and recruit females during clashes with other troops, a dominant silverback will defend members of his troop to the death.
Despite a dominant silverback retaining mating rights over all females within his troop, higher ranking silverbacks in multi-male groups are often able to mate with a small proportion of females.
02
The Silverback - Female Relationship
Nevertheless, a dominant silverback will rarely choose sides in an all female dispute, for his ultimate goal is to foster conditions favourable to reproductive success.
03
Blackbacks and Subordinate Silverbacks
Internal conflicts between silverbacks normally constitute displays of aggression rather than physical contact. However fights do occur, sometimes to the death.
Coalitions may lead to subordinate males preventing females from migrating during clashes with rival troops.
Although it may appear the subordinate silverback is defending the position of the dominant silverback, his true motivation is to retain access to females within the troop in the hope of one day deposing the dominant silverback. An alternative to coalition forming or challenging for dominance is for a silverback to become solitary.
Solitary Silverback
There are several solitary silverbacks roaming the slopes of the Virunga mountains. Park Rangers do their utmost to monitor them and the dynamics of families they interact with.
The desire to reproduce is thought to be the most common driver behind solitary male emigrations. Occasionally a solitary male may stumble upon an all-female group, as was the case in February 1998, when a solitary male is known as Munyaga briefly took control of the Zunguruka family following the death of its leader. Often, solitary silverbacks remain alone for many years, challenging dominant silverbacks from other troops along the way in search of females to form a troop with. Karateka is one of Virunga’s longest-standing solitary silverbacks, remaining solitary since 2001.
Silverback and Blackback Gorilla Statistics
-
No of Silverbacks
32There are 32 silverback gorillas in the Park among all the habituated gorilla families.
-
No of Solitary Silverbacks
7Out of 32 silverbacks, there are 7 that are solitary in the Park.
-
Age of Youngest Silverbacks
1515 years old is the age of the youngest silverbacks that roam the Park.
-
Age of Oldest Silverbacks
4242 years old is the age of Kabirizi and Mapuwa, the oldest silverbacks in the Park.
-
No of Blackbacks
6The Park counts 6 blackbaks, an age group for young males aged between 10 and 13.
Photo credit: Virunga National Park
The love of our Park and protecting the fauna and flora led me to become a tracker. Gorillas are exposed to many dangers if they are not properly cared for. Despite the security situation in Eastern Congo, I do my best to find a way to monitor them.
-
1994Mareru disappears into the wilderness
-
1998Karateka becomes solitary
-
2000Karateka temporarily rejoins the family
-
2009Mukunda becomes solitary
-
2017Gourba becomes solitary
-
2017Sebagabo becomes solitary
Support Virunga this Christmas!
Treat yourself or a loved one with a meaningful gift that supports Virunga National Park.
-
Support Gorilla Conservation
Your support is crucial in empowering the Park’s 98 community trackers to continue their vital work in protecting Virunga’s mountain gorilla population.
Donate Now
-
Clothing & Accessories
Every purchase protects wildlife, empowers communities, and preserves Virunga for future generations.
Shop Now
-
Virunga Origins
Exclusively available in Europe, Virunga Origins offers vegan chocolate, Arabica coffee, and other artisanal delicacies made in Congo, making them perfect celebration gifts.
Shop Now