Are gorillas predators or prey?

Gorillas are natural prey for leopards, crocodiles and poachers, but they eat only vegetation. They occasionally get caught in traps and snares set for other animals. Fewer than 800 mountain gorillas remain in the wild.

Gorillas are shy, gentle and retiring, despite their huge, ferocious presence. Gorillas group in troops of 2 to 40 individuals, and are led by a dominant male who controls group actions, such as time to rest, the direction to go and settling family disputes. If the group is threatened, he defends to the death. A shrinking habitat may account for increased interaction between predators and prey.