Filed by KOSU News in Science.
October 12, 2011

The folks at Virunga National Park, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, alerted news media this week about a baby gorilla rescued from the clutches of poachers. You can tell a lot about little Shamavu’s recent ordeal from this photo. With less than 900 mountain gorillas remaining on Earth, according to Virunga National Park, one gorilla saved is an accomplishment.

Shamavu had already experienced plenty of contact with humans, not all of it good: He was stolen by poachers and put up for sale before being saved by Virunga park rangers — the fourth such rescue this year.

When veterinarian Jan Ramer set Shamavu down last Friday, it wasn’t immediately clear whether he would allow her to pick him up again. But apparently, a few moments after this image was taken, Shamavu decided he wanted more attention from his rescuers, and he really hasn’t been put down again since. [Copyright 2011 National Public Radio]