THE LARGEST BRONZE GORILLA STATUE ARRIVES IN NEWYORK CITY

The largest bronze gorilla statue has arrived in New York City. This statue is named King Nyani after artists Gillie & Marc Schattner. The statue was unveiled in Bella Abzug Park at Hudson Yards. The Statue is to create awareness about the endangered mountain gorilla species that currently are around 1000 remaining in the world and change the perception of gorillas among New Yorkers. This statue was designed with huge hands to hold 2 to 3 people at a time

Gillie & Marc with their initiative of love last which highlights the endangered species has not only designed King Nyani (LARGEST BRONZE GORILLA STATUE ). In 2018, their statues of the last three northern white rhinos were displayed in Astor Place (now only 2 of the rhinos remain).

King Nyani is based on an actual gorilla. The head of a family of mountain gorillas that Gilli & Marc met on their trip to Uganda. King Nyani is 23 feet long, 8.5 feet high, and weighs 4766 pounds.

Lauren Pelosi who is managing the press for the sculpture said “People usually have this idea that a gorilla is scary, it’s like King Kong, it’s monstrous, But Nyai, as you can see by posture, He’s smiling. He sitting there with open arms, He’s very friendly and welcoming. According to the press release, Gillie & Marc were so “struck by the empathy and kindness on display I the gorilla family, the artists made it their goal to bring this same message of empathy to the art they were creating.” Marc says, “it was beautiful watching the silverback interacting with his family. He was so gentle and loving and cared deeply for his family”.

Mountain Gorillas in Uganda are found and seen in the forests of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park & Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. tracking gorillas in Uganda can also be done in the sectors of Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija, Nkuringo in Bwindi then Ntebeko in Mgahinga.

With about 1063 mountain gorillas that still exist on earth today, Uganda is home to more than half of all these endangered Great Apes making it one of the only 3 countries in the world where mountain gorillas live and gorilla trekking is done. Uganda gorilla trekking tours are only done in two national parks.

20 gorilla families have been habituated and already set for tourism purposes, 19 of which are tracked in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and only 1 is found in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Trekking gorillas in Uganda is such a thrilling primate watching experience that any visitor on Uganda safari shouldn’t miss out.

Mountain gorillas are among the Earth’s rarest and most majestic creatures and encountering them while on tours in Uganda will make you one of the luckiest people in the world.

Largest of the great apes, mountain gorillas also are the most endangered: Fewer 1500 remain in existence.

Uganda is home to more than half of the world’s population of Mountain gorillas. Since these endangered creatures can’t survive in captivity, the only way to see them is by trekking up to their natural habitat: misty cloud forests that can reach altitudes of 14,763 feet (4,500 meters).

Once you spot these mysterious apes, you will understand why the legendary American primatologist Dian Fossey spent 18 years of her life in the rugged forests of East Africa saving and protecting them from heartless and cruel poachers who were prepared to wipe them out for profit. Sadly, Fossey paid for her love for the African gorillas with her life when she was murdered in December 1985.

Visitors who undertake a gorilla trip to Uganda often say that ‘peering into the eyes of these intelligent apes changes you. Suddenly, it becomes clear how precious these and the other wild creatures on the planet are−and how our world would be a much emptier place without them’.

Not forgetting, when going for gorilla trekking in Uganda, it goes beyond gorilla trekking clothes. The best backpack for gorilla trekking should also include the following gorilla trekking essentials/items.

• Cameras and extra batteries: Photography is an important component of a gorilla safari in Uganda. You should ensure that you have your camera ready and you’re advised to charge your batteries very well and if necessary, carry extra batteries as you will need to take many photographs during your one-hour encounter with the mountain gorillas. You are strongly advised to switch off your flash while taking gorilla photographs.
• Binoculars: Remember that you are on safari and you want to have clear views of everything. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park is biologically diverse with over 360 bird species, 120 species of mammals including black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, L’Hoest’s monkeys, bushbucks, duikers, forest elephants, and buffaloes. So, during your mountain gorilla trek, you will have a chance to spot some of the above.
• Water: Trekkers are advised to carry 2 liters of drinking water because trekking gorillas can take from 1 to 8 hours.
• Packed lunch, gorilla treks can sometimes last longer into the afternoon.
• A small waterproof backpack: This will be useful to carry your water, packed lunch, camera, and binoculars.
• A walking sticks: A Gorilla trek is not a walk in the Park, but the terrain can be tough to navigate. A walking stick frees you up and gives you balance. There is the more ornamental, carved walking stick that makes an excellent souvenir of your most gorilla tours in Uganda. You can buy this walking stick at the start of your Trek, obtain it free of charge from some lodges or buy an ornamental one at a souvenir shop.
• Energy giving snacks: Trekking gorillas in Uganda can take from 1 to 8 hours and that’s why a certain level of fitness is required. Also, it is advised that you carry some energy giving snacks as supplements. You can buy your energy giving food in Uganda. You can ask your guide to take you to a nearby supermarket.
• Insect repellent/bug spray: This will discourage mosquitoes and other biting insects.
• Sun Blocker cream/sunscreen: This will give protection to your face and eyes from Uganda’s hot Equatorial sun.
• Extra shocks for hiking:  Trekking Uganda gorillas can sometimes take up 8 hours or a whole day and while trekking, you find that the ground is wet and muddy. Therefore, the pair of socks you’re wearing when you start the trek will become wet either from the conditions or from sweating. After your 1-hour encounter with mountain gorillas, you can swap into a fresh pair of socks for the hike back to headquarters. It will feel amazing and your feet will thank you.

Note: Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Parks are mountainous and heavily forested and can present trekkers with quite a challenge if gorillas are a fair distance away. The path is often slippery. Therefore, if you think you’re going to struggle, it is highly advised to hire a porter who can carry your day pack and lend a hand getting up and down the hill.