The Heart of a Dad, the Strength of a Silverback

What happens when a 400-pound silverback gorilla decides to take charge? In this video, you’ll see six unforgettable moments when Mokolo, the powerful silverback at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, shows his family—and the zoo visitors—exactly who’s boss. From a startling smack against the glass to snatching food, storming at rowdy youngsters, and keeping the peace among the females, Mokolo proves why the role of silverback is all about strength, leadership, and love.

Silverbacks like Mokolo aren’t aggressive for no reason. Their job is to protect their troop, maintain order, and make sure everyone feels safe. Whether it’s calming down baby gorillas like Kayembe and Jameela, reminding the females who leads, or reacting to the noise of the crowd, Mokolo is always watching, always aware, and always ready to step in.

Mokolo may be strict at times, but he’s also a devoted dad. He keeps his troop together, defends them from disturbances, and makes sure they all get along. These six moments show both his power and his heart—and why a silverback’s role is one of the most important in gorilla society.

🐵 What do you think—Is Mokolo being too tough, or just a caring protector? Let us know in the comments!

🌍 Thanks for watching! We're Beth and Jim from @OurSweetTravels.

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🦍 Want to see more gorilla encounters? Check out this playlist
   • Gorilla Videos  

🦍 Filmed at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
📷 Filmed with: Canon R7 Camera (#ad) https://amzn.to/3YUnZVw
Lens: https://amzn.to/44fsIou
and with: DJI Osmos Pocket 3 (ad) https://amzn.to/4dd8ga6

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🛌 Where to stay when visiting the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Kimpton Schofield Hotel by IHG - (ad) https://booking.tp.st/JonBONO5
(Very nice, pet-friendly hotel in downtown Cleveland)

🐾 Support Animal Conservation
Join an AZA-accredited zoo like Cleveland Metroparks Zoo! With 230+ zoos across the U.S., your membership supports world-class care and global conservation. Learn more at AZA.org.

🎵 Music: "Call to Adventure" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...
🎵 Music: "Rynos Theme" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

#gorilla #gorillafamily #gorillabehavior #clevelandmetroparkszoo #clevelandzoo #animalvideos #silverbackgorilla