The Wildlife Divas Adventure Team by Lisa M Randolph

Author:Lisa M Randolph [Randolph, Lisa M]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9798885040044
Publisher: New Degree Press
Published: 2021-12-09T11:16:20+00:00

Chapter 7

Rules Rule

* * *

Kevin Byarugaba stood in the center of the group. The girls stopped talking and gave him their full attention.

“Tomorrow morning, we will start our gorilla trek into the jungle.” He motioned to a path leading into the forest, “But first, we need to go over information that is of vital importance to your assignment, the reason why we are here, and a few critical rules before we get started.” He scanned their faces, which were filled with nervous excitement.

“As you know, you were asked to come on this particular assignment to help bring attention to the plight of the critically endangered mountain gorillas here in Uganda. Poachers are kidnapping baby gorillas and selling them for large sums of money. This practice is highly illegal, and it is our sworn duty to protect these animals.” Kevin continued. “Due to poaching and habitat loss, there are less than nine hundred mountain gorillas left on the entire planet. They live nowhere else in the world other than here in the African nations of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.”

His next words were especially important.

“It can be exciting and fun, but you must remember at all times that this is a dangerous mission. So, it’s important that you pay attention to what we are about to discuss. In the forest there are wild animals. Some you’ve never encountered before in your lives. And then there are the poachers. We asked you here to help save baby mountain gorillas. The poachers have been quite active hunting, setting traps, and kidnapping them. They are armed and they are dangerous. I cannot stress enough the danger they present. I need you to listen carefully, and do not be afraid to ask questions. Your lives depend on it.”

He ended this portion of the speech with a solemn face. He looked at each member of the team, noting if they were paying attention. He needed them to understand the seriousness of his words, then said, “Now, the rules.”

Kevin paced back and forth in front of the Divas. He held up one finger. “Rule Number One! This rule is the most important of all. Don’t! Run!”

They looked at one another, wide-eyed and a bit confused. That couldn’t be right. Did he just say “don’t run?”

Timidly, Yalani raised her hand to ask a question.

“Kevin, when you say don’t run … Don’t run from what?”

“Well, the gorillas of course. I know this goes against your instinct when threatened, but if you find yourself face to face with a gorilla, if one charges toward you, you should not run away. Stand your ground or better yet, assume a squatting position with your head lowered. Gorillas see this posture as submission, sort of like an apology in gorilla language.” He gave them an example by sitting and squatting, head down. “Like this.” he said, allowing the information to sink in.

“For the most part, gorillas are gentle creatures, but if you run, the gorilla takes it as a sign of aggression, and he will chase you, maybe even strike you,” he explained.

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