Female mountain gorillas wield a lot of power

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Whether it's King Kong climbing the Empire State building or Donkey Kong throwing barrels at unsuspecting Italian plumbers, gorillas in popular culture are symbols of male power. This interpretation by filmmakers and video game creators has some truth to it. Silverback males rule gorilla troops, and occupy a place of power they only vacate after combat or death. The first studies on gorilla behavior began in the 1950s, through the pioneering fieldwork of George Schaller and Dian Fossey.