A wildlife conservator has shared a terrifying experience with a gorilla while exploring a forest in Cross River, Nigeria.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), he recounted how he and his group accidentally wandered into a gorilla’s den during a field expedition, just as a female gorilla was giving birth and the alpha male was guarding his territory.
He explained that during their return from the Great Kwa River in the Oban Division of Cross River National Park, they lost their way in the dense tropical rainforest.
While trying to find their path, they unknowingly entered a gorilla’s territory—at the worst possible moment.
“As a wildlife conservator, we’re taught to feign death when faced with an enraged gorilla,” he wrote.
He described how a 10ft-tall male gorilla suddenly emerged and launched an attack, throwing one of the forest rangers across the area with incredible force.
The ranger pretended to be dead, which eventually stopped the attack.
“The gorilla roared and returned to the forest. After 30 minutes, we crawled back to the ranger, who we thought was dead—but he wasn’t. He only faked it to survive,” the conservator added.
The team later shot a flare into the sky to alert the camp, as there was no network in the forest. Help eventually arrived and took them back.
Reflecting on the experience, he said, “No human can beat a gorilla. They are far more athletic and powerful than any man. I’m speaking from experience—we lost that fight.”
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