Caught on camera, the terrifying moment a gorilla dragged a tourist off into the jungle

The Mail ^ | 4th January 2008 | staff reporter

[Daffynition]

More pix at source.

[xcamel]

It was Hillary... whe wanted the blue dress back...

[Tijeras_Slim]

!!!!!

[mtbopfuyn]

Hmm, let’s see. Day after day, groups of gorillas tramp through my living room and I wouldn’t get upset after a while and bop one on the head with the remote?

[kindred]

It is not good to stand so close to a full grown silverback male gorilla. Look at the first picture and you will see that they provoked him by coming dangerously close to him.

[whipitgood]

What this incident reminds me of:
The gorilla: Radical Islam
The tourists: American Liberals
Their comment: “Nobody told us they could be dangerous!”

[cowboyway]

got between the male gorilla and the true object of its attentions, a young female

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Reminds me of the guy who was taking pictures of a pride of lions. Not getting the action shot he hoped for he walked up and slapped on of the lions on the flank.

The results were both predictable and bloody.

They are called wild creatures for a reason. Calculated what you think is a "safe distance" and then double it. And even then you are still going to occasionally lose a tourist.

[GiovannaNicoletta]

Why are people so shocked to find out that wild animals are...wild animals?

[Daffynition]

[Cvengr]

I’m sorry guys,...too much camera blur, ...let me reset the shutter speed and aperature settings,..and one more time from the top,...lets walk back over there and this time just a little closer so I can get everybody in the frame....

[Daffynition]

LOL ... is that a Canon or are you just happy to see me?

[Tarpon]

Always have very big gun handy when getting up close and personal with animals, especially big animals.

[Daffynition]

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

Several years ago, I saw a mature male silverback gorilla up close and personal at the Knoxville, Tennessee Zoo (one of the finest in the country) as it sat back against the safety glass in the observation area.

The sheer size, power, and beauty of these animals is simply amazing!

[grey_whiskers]

Reminds me of the guy who was taking pictures of a pride of lions. Not getting the action shot he hoped for he walked up and slapped on of the lions on the flank.

Sounds like a real "Here, hold muh catnip" moment!

Full Disclosure -- did a double take when I read your screen name. What happens when a tourist slaps you on the flank?

[raybbr]

"Go ahead eat me. If you're going to eat me just do it." (Or something very close to that)

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

I saw a mature male silverback gorilla up close and personal at the Knoxville, Tennessee Zoo (one of the finest in the country) as it sat back against the safety glass in the observation area

I still recall my 18 month old daughter rounding a corner in the ape house at the National Zoo in Washington and coming face to face with a "30 stone" gorilla behind a sheet of safety glass. I think the exhibit is designed for shock value, you round a corner and are confronted by a live gorilla. The effect on pre-toddler was pretty dramatic. (She didn't burst out crying, just pulled up abruptly and recoiled a bit. When Daddy and Mommy didn't show any alarm (after a second) she recovered fine. )

[BenLurkin]

And don't look him in the eye unless you want to start a fight.

Sounds like an L.A. gang thug.

[lowbridge]

One likely explanation is that the tourist – an American – got between the male gorilla and the true object of its attentions, a young female