For my 6th #BrightenYourDay video, we return to Kahuzi Biega National Park​, #DRC to wonder at the athletic skill of Chimanuka, possibly the biggest known silverback of the largest sub-species - #GrauersGorilla, aka #EasternLowland #Gorilla. He noticed an edible parasitic plant growing at the top of a sapling, so he ascended it with grace, then used his massive bulk to break the tree so he could sit comfortably on the ground to eat the plant. Bearing in mind he probably weighs as much as the 3-person film crew you glimpse with Gordon Buchanan Wildlife Filmaker​ at the end, this is pretty impressive. Gordon and the crew were making the BBC Two​ series #GorillaFamilyandMe at the time, in 2015.

Sadly, the DRC parks department, ICCN, has just closed the park to tourists (to protect the gorillas from the Covid19 pandemic) but the work to protect them goes on, and the courageous rangers need our support more than ever via NGO partners such as The Gorilla Organization​, Born Free Foundation​, Pole Pole Foundation​, Gorilla Doctors​, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International​, OBJECTIF BROUSSE​, Wildlife Conservation Society​.

You can still take a virtual safari to #KahuziBiega via www.vEcotourism.org or by downloading the vEco Tours app, for use with or without a #VR headset.