Looking directly into the eyes of a silverback gorilla shows that you are ready to challenge the endangered ape. ... Direct eye contact will, therefore, trigger the silverback to charge and fight you in defense of his family. If you want peace with gorillas, therefore, avoid direct eye contact.

Is it bad to stare at a gorilla?

If you want peace with gorillas, avoid direct eye contact with gorillas. ... Like shy humans, staring directly into the eyes of gorilla make them feel uncomfortable and insecure and when disrupted by your direct eye contact, they can charge aggressively at you to defend themselves.

What to do if a gorilla sees you?