In the Kingdom of Gorillas by Bill Weber

Author:Bill Weber
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

IN EARLY 1980 we were contacted by Barbara Jampel, who was producing a film on mountain gorillas for the National Geographic Society. We explained that there might be problems since they sponsored Dian’s work, but Barbara told us that National Geographic had recently ceased funding for Karisoke. When it was clear that she was serious about filming the MGP conservation story, we agreed to collaborate.

The National Geographic team arrived in early June, hoping to catch the very beginning of the dry season: after the rains, but before the dust and haze would dull the beauty of the landscape. They were a little early, but proved to be good sports about the rain. They also adapted quickly to the Visoke parking campground, where their multicolored tents added a certain flair to the black lava surroundings. The Geographic team of two Dutchmen and Barbara was less preoccupied with eating than the French or Japanese, and managed well on mostly local fare. After dinner, however, fine single malt scotch and Cuban cigars appeared for all who cared to share. Life with film crews could prove addictive.

Moving around the forest with the Geographic team posed a problem. The Geographic camera was bigger than any we had seen before and the cameraman was significantly older. And heavier. Sweating profusely and taking strategic breaks, however, he proved his mettle as Group 11 led him over some of the more rugged parts of its range in the course of their two-week stay. He was also extremely skilled at his craft. So, too, was Barbara, whose interviews not only allowed us to tell the full conservation story, but also brought out deeper feelings about the gorillas and our motivations that we rarely shared with others. The result made up the final segment of Gorilla, an hour-long special that received the highest Nielsen rating of any nature film ever shown on American television when it appeared in 1981. It reran throughout the 1980s and remains on American video rental shelves to this day—where our sons can see their once skinny father and pregnant mother. Unfortunately, although National Geographic made a great profit on the film, it was never translated into French or otherwise made readily available for use in Rwanda.

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