For this poor hill gorilla, the pain is clearly all too much. In a clear and emotional display of mourning, the distressed gorilla is keeping park ranger Patrick Karabaranga for some support.

The picture was taken in the Virunga National Park in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The bond in between Patrick, the park ranger and the gorilla is incredible, and the gorilla is plainly showing his recognition by putting his hand on the ranger’s leg.

This photograph likewise highlights the gorillas capacity to express grievance and Patrick’s appreciation for another species that is not his very own. This is an important skill in such a world where we as people seem to be negatively impacting the gorilla population which our activities.

Unforuntately, hill gorillas are seriously endangered, this is as a result of two human beahviors. The first is mass deforestation which has resulted in serious habitat loss for gorillas and all animals of the rain forest. Every single day, 80,000 acres of the jungle are ruined due to industries such as agriculture and mining.

The 2nd risk to the gorillas is poaching. Gorilla meat is sadly a popular industry and they need to be stopped. Conservation efforts recently have caused some success in restoring the wild gorilla populations but as explained from this photo, there is still lots to be done.