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Step 1
Monitor the gorilla's sounds. They can grunt, snort and grunt, howl and whimper, and whoop and chest pound. Sometimes the grunt signals the end of their nap, and chest pounding may be used to show dominance. Let the gorillas know you are there by grunting every so often.
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Step 2
Smell the air near the gorillas. When silverbacks feel threatened, they emit a pungent odor. You may not be able to smell other pheromones, but these odors can tell you the health and reproductive status of the gorilla. If you can smell a pungent odor, it may be in your best interest to back off.
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Step 3
Do not stare directly into the gorillas eyes, because this signals aggression. Gorillas' facial expressions are similar to humans. When a gorilla is nervous, their eyes may dart back and forth. If they are in a playful mood, their eyes and mouth will be relaxed. If they are upset, their face muscles will be tense, and they will often show their teeth. Mimic the playful facial expressions so the gorillas know that you mean no harm.
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Step 4
Grooming is very important among gorillas. This is a relaxing, social time. If you have another person with you, start pretending to groom them and see how the gorillas react. This will show that you are coming in peace. You can also pretend to eat leaves off of the trees so the gorillas feel as though you are one of them.
