Photographer Andy Rouse journeys into the forests of the Virunga Volcanoes to document the behavior one of man’s closest living relatives. Photos from the book,Gorillas: Living on the Edge
Male and Female
Reclusive by nature, the endangered mountain gorilla can be found in only two populations. In 2010, the Virunga Volcanoes population numbered 480 gorillas, though conservations say that that amount is on the rise.Andy Rouse / Naturepl.com
Old Timer
The face of the silverback Kwitonda, "the elder statesman of the Rwandan mountain gorillas. I love working with him as he is so chilled out and always accepts our presence with a diffident air."Andy Rouse / Naturepl.com
Expressive
Muninya, a powerful silverback (or male) of the Hirwa group.Andy Rouse / Naturepl.com
Awe
Akarevuro, a silverback charges towards me beating his chest. At that moment, Rouse writes, "I had little time to remind myself that gorillas are gentle giants."Andy Rouse / Naturepl.com
Down Time
"When they aren't feeding," Rouse observes, "mountain gorillas spend their time chilling out and sleeping." This one is yawning.Andy Rouse / Naturepl.com
Group Shot
The gorillas scatter when a young silverback charges through them.Andy Rouse / Naturepl.com
Pair
"The silverback," Rouse writes, "is the top of the pecking order and he decides where the group feeds and sleeps. Every member of the group is deferential to him. Here a female prepares to groom him."Andy Rouse / Naturepl.com
Transport
For protection, "Novice mountain gorillas often hitch a ride on their mother's back when the group moves off to a new feeding area."Andy Rouse / Naturepl.com
Open Wide
The teeth may look scary, but this gorilla has been photographed in mid-yawn.Andy Rouse / Naturepl.com
Trek
A group of visitors hikes into the gorilla's habitat. Rwanda has developed a successful system of sustainable ecotourism which helps provide revenue that is used to preserve the gorilla's habitat.Andy Rouse / Naturepl.com
