The mountain gorilla: A little known chapter of pioneering studies

Abstract

The contribution of South Africans to studies on the mountain gorilla (Gorilla gorilla beringei orGorilla beringei beringei)is described and discussed. South Africa played a key role in the late 1950s and early 1960s and, in addition to augmenting our knowledge of the biology of the subspecies, provided an important foundation stone on which subsequent research, notably that of Schaller, Emlen and Fossey, could be built. In recent years, with improvements in the political climate, South Africa has again become involved, auguring well for a future in which southern and eastern countries of Africa contribute together to the study and conservation of this and other higher primates.