The Volcanos National Park in Rwanda is a special place filled with a bio-diversity that is unique. One of the most famous characters in the forest is Titus, star in the current Nature documentary,"The Gorilla King."
The famous Titus, the main character for the Nature movie "The Gorilla King," greets me in the forest.
Titus is a big boy, but gentle and wise.
If you haven't seen the documentary movie yet, I encourage you to take a look. It can be ordered off of the Dian Fossey organization web site, www.gorillafund.org.
It's very well made and informative.
Cheers from Rwanda,
Dean
Hi Gavin,
Thank you for the post on my blog. That’s pretty cool you have learned so much about mountain gorillas.
Great questions. Mountain gorillas parts were valuable, because so few exist. Some people once believed it would be cool to have a mountain gorilla head on their wall as a trophy from hunting.
There are no mountain gorillas in zoos only western lowland gorillas. The scientist theorizes that mountain gorillas don’t handle the stress very well found in the zoo environment. I’m glad you like the podcast, it makes all the hard work worth it!
DO you want to see gorillas in the wild one day?
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | May 23, 2011 at 12:58 AM
Hi James,
Thank you for the post on my blog! Great questions.
The DRC is so unstable because the government has been corrupt for many years, making it very unsafe for the ordinary people and animals that live there.
I have had the privilege of seeing many different gorillas in the wild mostly while I worked the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
Do you want to see gorillas in the wild one day?
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | May 23, 2011 at 12:52 AM
Hi Henrik,
Thank you for the post on my blog! The scientist theorizes that mountain gorillas don’t handle the stress very well found in the zoo environment. I hope to spend the rest of my life exploring the world, taking photos of animals and visiting schools to teach young people about the world!
I live in Nebraska.
Do you want to go explore the world one day?
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | May 23, 2011 at 12:47 AM
Dear Caleb,
Thank you for the post on my blog! I’m glad you are enjoying the information!
I spent 5 days in the DRC the first time, and returned several times after that.
Do you want to go explore in Africa one day?
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | May 23, 2011 at 12:44 AM
Hi Connor,
Thank you for the post on my blog! Yes, exchanging glances with a mountain gorilla is a special experience!
I never felt scared when I was with the gorillas, that’s why it’s so special to be with them.
They call them mountain gorillas, because they live on the sides of volcanoes way up high, from 6,000 to 14,000 feet. The forest changes as the altitude climbs, but the gorillas still roam there.
Do you want to see gorillas in the wild one day?
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | May 23, 2011 at 12:40 AM
Hi BaiLee,
Thank you for the post on my blog and all the great questions!
When they first started studying them the population got as low as approximately 400 at one point. So the trend is in the right direction, but we have a long ways to go! The permit is easy to get as long as there is space, they limit the number of people who can see them each day. If they fill up, then you have to wait.
You can help the gorillas by buying fair trade coffee and such things on the Dian Fossey website, www.gorillafund.org.
I’m glad you like the video! Makes all the hard work worth it!
DO you want to see the gorillas one day in the wild?
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | May 23, 2011 at 12:32 AM
Reilly,
Thank you for the post on my blog! Those are good questions! I’m going to have to write my scientist friends in Rwanda to find the answer to how many are male and female.
The scientist theorizes that mountain gorillas don’t handle the stress very well found in the zoo environment. You might be right if the zoo could actually create the correct environment to keep them, and for sure zoos have gotten much better at creating such things. As of today, the best place for them to live is in their natural habitat, and given there are so few left, people are doing their best to protect them there.
Would you like to see the gorillas in the wild one day?
Thanks Reilly!
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | May 23, 2011 at 12:25 AM
Dear Mr. Jacobs,
My name is BaiLee and I am a 6th grader at Van Arsdale Elementary.
I learned a lot from your video about mountain gorillas of the DRC. I liked the pictures in the video because it just made me feel like I was there with the gorillas.
I learned that there are less than 700 mountain gorillas left in the world. Wow! That isn’t very many. I also learned that the Dian Fossy fund has been studying the mountain gorillas for more than 40 years. Do you know how many gorillas there were when they started studying them?
Did you have a hard time getting your permit to see the gorillas? Also can anybody help the mountain gorillas in any way?
I enjoyed your video and can’t wait to see where you go next. Thank you for making the video.
You’re Friend,
BaiLee
Posted by: BaiLee | May 20, 2011 at 03:06 PM
Dear Mr. Jacobs
My name is Reilly. I am in sixth grade and just watched your podcast, Mountain Gorillas of the DRC.
I have a couple questions about the Gorillas. First with the approximate 700 gorillas left in the world what part of that is male and female?
From your video I learned that Mountain Gorillas can’t survive in zoos and I was curious why not.
I personally think that they would be able to if the zoo mimicked their habitat and gave the right food. Wouldn’t they live longer?
Thank you for teaching me about Mountain Gorillas, I really learned a lot.
Your pal,
Reilly
Posted by: Reilly | May 20, 2011 at 02:59 PM
May 19, 2011
Dear Mr. Jacobs,
I'm a sixth grade student from Van Arsdale. We watched your podcast about Mountain Gorillas in the DRC.
What I really liked about your podcast is when that gorilla stared right at you. It felt like it was staring at me. Another thing I was surprised to see that Mountain Gorillas allowed you in their habitat so freely. Were you scared to be surrounded by the Mountain Gorillas? Mountain Gorillas live to be 35 in the wild, but live to be 50 years old in captivity. The one thing I connected to was what I said earlier the girl gorilla stares right at you. One thing is why do they call gorillas Mountain Gorillas if they're in the jungle. Thanks for letting me watch your personal experience with Mountain Gorillas.
Posted by: Connor | May 19, 2011 at 04:19 PM
Dear Dean Jacobs,
I am a sixth grade student at Van Arsdale Elementary in Colorado; I am very impressed with your work and what you’ve done. I really liked your podcast and I learned how many Mountain Gorillas are left in the DRC; how sad is that? I also learned about how much time you could spend with the Mountain Gorillas, that’s cool. How many days did you stay in the DRC to see the Mountain Gorillas and do other stuff?
Learning about the Mountain Gorillas amazes me to know how many are still alive of the species. I am impressed that the Mountain Gorillas eat 50 pounds of food a day. Thank you for your time and have fun exploring.
Your friend,
Caleb
Posted by: caleb | May 19, 2011 at 04:18 PM
May 19, 2011
Dear Mr. Jacobs,
Hi I am a sixth grade student, at Van Arsdale elementary. I learned a lot about mountain gorillas from your website!
I got a few questions, why can’t mountain gorillas live in the zoos? I learned that mountain garrulous each has different noses that’s how you can tell them apart. How long do you plan on going around filming animals? Do you live in the U.S.A.? Thank you for going out and filming these animals, because there aren’t that many people like you. Thank you so much, be is safe.
Your six grade friend,
Henrik
Posted by: henrik | May 19, 2011 at 04:17 PM
May 19, 2011
Dear Mr. Jacobs,
Hello, I am a 12 year old 6th grader. I love animals. I studied gorillas in the fifth grade. I know a lot about Gorillas, but your website gave me tons more information on mountain gorillas of the DRC.
One thing I learned was that silver back gorillas are the leaders and the protectors of the group. I heard that people kill the mountain Gorillas for their body parts and furs. Why are mountain gorilla’s body parts so valuable? I also learned that mountain Gorillas live to about 35 in the wild, and in captivity they live to about 50, why is that?
I appreciate how much time you spent to learn about the Mountain Gorillas, and to make the podcast for us to watch.
You’re Friend,
Gavin
Posted by: Gavin | May 19, 2011 at 04:11 PM
May 19 2011
Dear Mr. Jacobs,
Hi, my name is James. I am a sixth grade student from Arvada Colorado. Some of my class mates and I have seen your website and watched the podcast mountain gorillas of the D.R.C. I like how you care so much for mountain gorillas.
I never knew that the mountain gorilla population is under 700. I wonder why the D.R.C is unstable? Also, how many mountain gorillas have you met besides the mountain gorillas in the podcast? It looked like there were a lot of mountain gorillas in the podcast. I think it is great that you give up a lot of your time for the mountain gorillas.
Thank you for teaching me about mountain gorillas. It is very interesting to learn about these fascinating animals. Good luck exploring.
Sincerely,
James
Posted by: James | May 19, 2011 at 04:11 PM
Hi Darlene,
Thank you for your post on my blog and for all the kind words you wrote. I’m happy to know you learned lots of new information about mountain gorillas on my web site!
Africa is a special place; I hope you get to go visit it some day!
Yep, I’m a live person! And hope to keep it that way for a long time! I do have plans to go explore the Amazon later this year, let’s hope the snakes leave me alone! ☺
Some people think it’s a cool souvenir to have the hand of a gorilla, which is very sad!
To the best of my knowledge, no person has ever been hurt by a gorilla. The gorillas like to scare people sometimes. I was never afraid when I was with the gorillas, it did make my heart skip a beat sometimes to be so close!
It is good that you care Darlene, the animals don’t have voices in the world to ask for help, but with people like you who care, they have a chance to survive.
Send me a post card from Africa one day, OK?!
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | April 20, 2011 at 08:22 PM
Hi Ryan,
Thank you for your post on my blog and for all the kind words you wrote. I’m happy to know you learned lots of new information about mountain gorillas on my web site!
Trying new things is one of the best things in life!
Growing up in Nebraska I used to dream about exploring the world, until the day finally came and I went!
It has taken me most of my life to figure out what I wanted to do, but now I’m doing it, and when you follow your heart, magical things unfold.
We need good lawyers in the world!
The adult gorillas do like to take naps, what about you?
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | April 20, 2011 at 08:13 PM
Hi Jenna,
Thank you for your post on my blog and for all the kind words you wrote. I’m happy to know you learned lots of new information about mountain gorillas on my web site!
I love animals too and have had the privledge to see them all over the world!
The sound the rangers made, are very similar to the sounds made by the gorillas when they communicate with each other.
I have been to over 50 countries in the world and each one has something special to offer!
Growing up in Nebraska was cool! And it’s still cool! ☺
Do you want to see mountain gorillas in the wild one day?
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | April 20, 2011 at 08:08 PM
Hi Bailey,
Thank you for your post on my blog and for all the kind words you wrote. I’m happy to know you learned lots of new information about mountain gorillas on my web site!
The rangers made a deep belching sound, similar to the type of sound the gorillas make. I did get to visit my guide the next time I visited Africa, it’s fun to make friends all over the world. Actually there are no mountain gorillas in captivity, the gorillas that you see in the zoo are western lowland gorillas.
One of the great things with being with the mountain gorillas in the wild is you don’t have to be scared. They are very tolerant of people.
Do you want to see mountain gorillas in the wild one day?
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | April 20, 2011 at 06:51 PM
Hi Hayden,
Thank you for your post on my blog and for all the kind words you wrote. I’m happy to know you learned lots of new information about mountain gorillas on my web site!
It’s cool you like to play soccer, it’s the most popular sport in the world, I’ve seen people play it for fun in almost every country I’ve explored!
When I first saw the gorillas, my heart skipped a beat, I was so excited to see them, they are such special animals!
The silverback is the leader, because he has taken on the responsibility to watch over and protect the group. Mountain gorillas can be in groups of 3 to 45.
I didn’t get scared when I saw the mountain gorillas, I was in awe in how amazing they are. I’m happy to know you learned lots about the gorillas Hayden, when people learn and understand things, it can be used to make good choices in making the world a better place.
Do you want to see the gorillas one day in the wild?
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | April 20, 2011 at 01:14 PM
Dear Mr. Jacobs,
Hi my name is Darlene. I am an 11 year girl from Van Arsdale Elementary.
If I could go anywhere in the world I would go to Africa to visit endangered animals like you. When I heard we were going to learn about gorillas I was really excited. I was even more excited to hear I was going to write to a real live person. I liked your video because of how the female gorilla looked into your eyes which made me feel like it was looking at me. Why do people kill gorillas for their hands and fur? I’ve seen fur coats but I don’t know if they’re fake, or made out of real animal fur. I wish people would not use real animal fur. Are gorillas dangerous? Were you ever worried about your safety?
I liked how your pictures made me feel like I was there. You must have a fun job going around the world visiting endangered animals. If I could do any thing I wanted I would raise money to help animals in need.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.
You’re 6th grade Friend,
Darlene
Posted by: Darlene | April 18, 2011 at 04:07 PM
Dear Mr. Jacobs
My name is Ryan, and I am a student at Van Arsdale Elementary School in Arvada, Colorado. I recently watched your video about your visit with the gorillas in the DRC. I was inspired by you trying new things. I have only seen a gorilla in a cage at the zoo. When and where did you get your inspiration?
When you were younger did you want to be an explorer and a photographer? I want to be a lawyer. I have learned that gorillas are hard to find in the wild. I liked that you shared your experience with us. I wonder how hunters found gorillas in the 1900’s. I liked learning that the gorillas have a scheduled nap time?
We learned a lot from you, and appreciate all that you shared with us. Thank you Mr. Jacobs.
Your friend,
Ryan
Posted by: ryan | April 18, 2011 at 03:58 PM
April 6, 2011
Dear Dean Jacobs,
Hi, my name is Jenna. I live in Arvada, Colorado, I am 12 years old. I love animals, lucky you, you get to see very neat creatures in person. The closest I have ever been to a gorilla was at the zoo.
My favorite thing about your video on Mountain Gorillas was the way you filmed the video. It made me feel like I was looking directly at the Gorillas… it made me feel like I was there.
When the rangers make sounds to let the gorillas know that you are in their presence, wouldn’t that scare them? It would seem to me that the noise would startle them. How many places have you traveled to and what was your favorite?
I learned that scientist have been studying Mountain Gorillas for forty years. The photos took in the D.R.C was a big part of your life. It helps you remember your trip there. I’ll bet growing up in the western part of Nebraska on a farm made you realize the real purpose in life. THAT’S COOL!!!
One last thing, your video taught me and my writing group a lot about Mountain Gorillas in just a short time.
Your Friend,
JENNA
Posted by: Jenna | April 18, 2011 at 03:47 PM
Dear Dean Jacobs,
Hi Mr. Jacobs my name is Bailey, and I live in Arvada, Colorado. I learned about what you did in the DRC.
I also watched your pod cast on the mountain Gorillas in the DRC.
It was really cool how you did your pictures of the gorillas. What kind of noise did the rangers make to let the gorillas know you were there?
It would be cool if some of your family or friends came on your trips with you. Did you ever come back to visit any of your guides that lead you on your trips?
I thought it was interesting that mountain gorillas live longer in captivity than in the wild. It’s kind of sad that the poachers kill the gorillas. In your article it said people thought that gorillas are dangerous. Were you scared to see the gorillas up close?
Thank for sharing your wonderful experience.
Sincerely,
Your friend Bailey
Posted by: Bailey | April 18, 2011 at 01:05 PM
Dear Mr. Jacobs,
I would like to let you know about me. My name is Hayden I liked to play soccer and I enjoy reading books about animals.
I enjoyed watching your pod cast video about gorillas. I liked that the pod cast showed the significance of the mountains gorillas. What was your reaction when you first saw the mountain gorillas?
Do you know why the silver back is the leader of the gorillas? It is amazing that they let you roam their rain forest. It’s cool that gorillas travel in pack of 20. I can understand that people think mountain gorillas are scary. Did you get scared when you saw the mountain gorillas? I liked that you gave us a lot of facts. I learned a lot because of the information you gave me.
Thank you for caring about the mountain gorillas, and for sharing what you learned with us.
Your friend,
Hayden
Posted by: Hayden | April 18, 2011 at 12:59 PM
Hi Ethan,
Thank you for your post on my blog and for all the kind words you wrote. I’m happy to know you learned lots of new information about mountain gorillas on my web site!
Way back then at that time, hunters were some of the few westerns exploring the remote places of Africa. They were called big game hunters.
I tend to travel alone. This allows me to take certain risks and to make changes to the route quickly. Sometimes I do have friends to come and join me for windows of time, but not so often.
Ethan, if you could go anywhere in the world, where would you like to explore?
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | April 16, 2011 at 12:29 AM
Dear Mr. Jacobs,
My name is Ethan and I go to Van Arsdale Elementary.
I watched your podcast called Mountain Gorillas of the DRC for a writing project. The photos were very high quality and nice looking. I learned that the rangers keep track of gorillas by their noses and that gorillas were discovered in the 1900’s by hunters. Why were hunters the first people to discover gorillas? Do you ever travel with anyone else like your friends or family?
Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
Your friend,
Ethan
Posted by: Ethan | April 15, 2011 at 03:45 PM
Hi Andrew,
Thank you for your post on my blog and for all the kind words you wrote. I’m happy to know you learned lots of new information on my web site!
Once you exchange a long glance with a mountain gorilla in the wild you realize how special nature is and all of its amazing creatures.
The information in that first podcast wasn’t quite accurate; a recent census shows there are now 782 mountain gorillas left in the world. This is a modest gain, but for sure in the right direction.
I’ve been to over 50 countries now in the world, with plans to visit the Amazon late this year, all of these places have touched my heart in some way.
There is a special joy that comes inside when you follow your dream that only can be felt and experienced by staying true to your heart. I am convinced when we live life this way it has the potential to change the world for the better.
It makes me happy to share this wondrous journey with you, thank you for coming along and reading about it on my website.
If you could go travel the world, where would you like to go?
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | April 15, 2011 at 02:01 AM
Hi Paige,
Thank you for your post on my blog and for all the kind words you wrote. I’m happy to know you learned lots of new information on my web site! The area in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is designated to be a National Park; unfortunately the government system is generally corrupt and doesn’t function with honesty. So people end up telling lies and finding creative ways to steal from people and any other way to make money. Thus even though the gorillas are supposed to be protected, the system created to protect them fails and gorillas become the victims of a bad system to organize life.
Even with all the mess the place is in, I do want to go back and to learn more about this very interesting place. And not everyone is corrupt, there are people doing their best to make things work.
The place was a little unstable, but sometimes when we take risks we are rewarded with a great experience.
It was always my dream to go explore the world, and back in 2000 I quit my job and sold my house to follow my heart’s dream. Since then, I have never looked back. Now my days are filled with making plans and exploring new places and finding ways to share this with school students like you!
I have explored over 50 countries all over the world and seen amazing animals in most of them.
That is super cool you want to go to see new places, it will open up a whole new world to you! What would be the top five places you would like to explore?
Follow your heart, aim with your mind and know you are never alone on this journey!
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | April 15, 2011 at 01:43 AM
Dear Mr. Jacobs,
My name is Andrew, and I live in Arvada, Colorado. We just learned about the mountain gorillas on your website.
I recently watched your podcast Mountain gorillas in the DRC. I can’t believe how close you got to the gorillas. I think it is very interesting to learn about your travels and the gorillas in the DRC. How did the experience with the gorillas change your life? I learned that mountain gorillas were discovered in the early 1900s, and they’ve been studying them for the past forty years. I also learned that there are only 400 mountain gorillas left in the wild. Have any other places influenced you as much as the mountain gorillas in the DRC.
I can’t believe how you followed your dreams and have tried your hardest to change the world. I liked the picture of the gorillas eating.
Thank you for the wonderful experience from learning about mountain gorillas from someone that was actually there.
From,
Yours truly Andrew
Posted by: Andrew | April 14, 2011 at 03:18 PM
Dear Mr. Jacobs,
Hi my name is Paige and I live in Arvada, Colorado and the school that I go to is Van Arsdale Elementary. I loved the pictures and videos on your web site about the Mountain Gorillas of the DRC, and your videos made me feel like I was right there. I wondered why the area that you went to was a protected area but yet people still killed the gorillas. Do you want to go back?
From what I heard the place that you went to was an unstable place and you were brave enough to go there and see the gorillas up close. I learned that if you see a tail it’s a monkey. I also learned that in the wild the gorillas barely live up to 35 and in captivity they can live up to or past 50. When did you get inspired, and what made you want to do what you do now? I learned that the head of a group of gorillas is called the silver back. Have you ever gone any where else to see other animals? Does your family travel with you? You inspire me to go to new places because I love animals, and I hope you can visit more places you dream about.
Your friend,
Paige
Posted by: Paige | April 11, 2011 at 03:59 PM
Hello Mr. Dean,
Mountain gorillas are really cool!
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | February 03, 2011 at 01:10 PM
Hi Kellie,
Thank you for attending the session at ISTE today, I'm happy to know you enjoyed it. I look forward to exploring the possibilities of working with your students.
Enjoy the rest of the conference.
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | June 28, 2010 at 10:54 PM
Dear Mr. Dean,
I really enjoyed the lesson at ISTE. I plan to use your website in the future. Thanks for all the work you have done. The gorilla project is great.
Posted by: Kellie | June 28, 2010 at 02:23 PM
Greetings Mrs. Brown’s 3rd grade class!
Thank you for the post on my blog and all of your great questions!
You asked if it hurts the gorillas when the scrunch up the nettles, I don’t think it does because they are very careful in the way they gather the nettles up and it didn’t seem to bother them. For the time I was there, I only saw mountain gorillas eating nettles, no other animals. Yes they will eat the flower petals of some plants. Have you ever eaten a flower petal?
The gorillas have been around for thousands of years according to the scientists who study them.
Each tourist pays the fee of $500 to see the gorillas. The groups are limited to no more then eight tourists and there are eight groups that can be visited each day, the gorillas I viewed with the researchers are not visited by tourists, which made it extra special. The researchers do not pay to see the gorillas, it is their job to learn about and study the gorillas, pretty cool job huh? Do you want to see gorillas in the wild one day?
You are welcome; it’s been fun sharing with you about the amazing mountain gorillas!
Have a great summer!
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | May 20, 2010 at 10:16 PM
Dear Mr. Jacobs,
We are students in Mrs. Brown's third grade class at Highland Elementary. We just read your article about mountain gorillas and watched the podcast about them too. One thing we learned is that mountain gorillas eat over 200 different kinds of plants. One of the plants they eat is nettles. The gorillas bunch the leaves up when they eat them so they won't get pricked by the thorns. Does it hurt when they scrunch the leaves up in their hand? Do other animals eat nettles too? Do they have a special way to protect themselves? Another question we have about their food is, do they eat the flower petals of some plants?
Researchers have been studying mountain gorillas for over 40 years. How long have mountain gorillas existed? When tourists visit mountain gorillas they spend $500 an hour to see them. Does each tourist pay the $500 or does a whole group pay $500? And do the researchers have to pay to see the gorillas too?
Thank you for taking the time to write back to us. And thank you for teaching us so much about mountain gorillas!
Your friends,
Mrs. Brown's 3rd grade class
Posted by: Mrs. Brown's 3rd grade class | May 20, 2010 at 11:22 AM
Hi Ms Shughart’s class!
Thank you for the post on my blog.
That stone path is in a small national park near where I am staying. It’s a path through the forest.
The gorillas trade and share the Frisbees! Cool huh?
Do you like the circle in the sky? I took that photo as a reminder that beautiful things show up all over, even in the sky.
The circle is formed from ice crystals in the sky when the conditions are just right.
It has been wonderful to have you along for the journey, I wish you all a wonderful summer.
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | May 21, 2009 at 04:10 PM
Dear Dean,
Greetings from Ms. Shughart's second grade class. Thank you for responding to our blogs. Yes, most of us would love to see gorillas in the wild. It would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We could learn many more things about gorillas if we observed them in the wild.
Yesterday, we watched your slide show in Highland's cafeteria. We had a few questions about some slides. First, we are curious to know where the stone path leads to, if anywhere? Second, do the gorillas trade Frisbees or do they keep their own? Finally, can you explain the slide of the sky with the circle and clouds?
Thanks for taking your time to meet with us via Skype. We know you'll be returning to the States very soon. Travel safely!
Best wishes,
Ms. Shughart's Class
Posted by: Ms. Shughart and Class | May 20, 2009 at 03:44 PM
Hi Ben, Foster, Garret, and Kasandra,
Thank you for the post on my blog. Yes, the students here get a new teacher every year, just like you. Yes, all students are required to wear a uniform. Gorillas can live up to 50 in captivity. Being around Titus was magic! Being around active volcanoes makes life interesting!
Do you want to see a active volcano one day?
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | May 14, 2009 at 04:32 PM
Hi Jayden, Sydney and Tyler,
Thank you for the posting on my blog. Dian Fossey was killed because she was trying very hard to save the gorillas. I don’t know who the oldest mountain gorilla is. I did see a female gorilla that was 41 years old though.
Do you want to see gorillas in the wild one day?
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | May 14, 2009 at 04:30 PM
Hi Marshall, Charlotte and Alyssa,
Thank you for the posting on my blog. I am not sure how many gorillas die each year because of poachers. It is rare now that a poacher kills a gorilla, what happens is a gorilla gets caught in a snare made to capture other small animals and then gets hurt.
I will show you how to pronounce the names of the volcanoes when I come visit. They are called lowland gorillas because they don’t live as high as mountain gorillas, but they are changing the name to Grauers gorillas. One of the fun parts of being the president of Rwanda is that you get to name to gorillas.
Do you want to see gorillas in the wild one day?
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | May 14, 2009 at 04:29 PM
Hi Christian, Josh and Thaddeus,
Thank you for the post on my blog. No, I never get bored watching gorillas, I think they are so cool! . I gave a few of the Frisbees to the orphaned gorillas, they really liked them! I took some photos to show you. I have heard a gorilla scream, it is impressive! Yes, when I visit Highland, I will make a gorilla sound.
Do you want to see gorillas in the wild one day?
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | May 14, 2009 at 04:27 PM
Hi Emma, Allen and Giovanni,
Thank you for the post on my blog. Lowland or Graures gorillas are larger because that’s the way nature designed them to be. Today I gave a few of the Frisbees to the orphaned gorillas, they really liked them! I took some photos to show you.
Thank you for caring about the gorillas!
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | May 14, 2009 at 04:26 PM
Hi Kai, Josh, Trent and Grace,
Thank you for the posting on my blog. One of the fun parts of being the president of Rwanda is that you get to name to gorillas. I am not sure how old Titus is now, somewhere around 35. Mountain gorillas are increasing because of the effort to protect them in the national park, the other primates are loosing habitat. Lowland gorillas also have shorter hair. Poachers don’t sell them anymore, because if they get caught they would go to jail.
Do you want to see gorillas in the wild one day?
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | May 14, 2009 at 04:25 PM
Hi Becca, Luke, Clay and J.T.,
Thank you for the post on my blog and for the kind words. The kids eat at home, there is no kitchen at the school, only classrooms. I met the Dian Fossey people the last time I traveled through Africa. I took many photos of Shinda, and kept only the best ones. They call them stinging nettles, because when you touch the stems and ends of the leaves, you get stung.
Do you want to travel to Africa one day?
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | May 14, 2009 at 02:21 PM
Hi Victoria, Baylee, Shanli and Jaylynn,
Thank you for the post on my blog. Yes, the students get a new teacher every year as they advance. The students eat at home, there is no kitchen at the school, only classrooms. Some animals in life display differently, like male birds are often very colorful.
Do you want to see gorillas in the wild one day?
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | May 14, 2009 at 02:20 PM
Hi Asha, Dana, Danielle and Kiya,
Thank you for the post on my blog. No, I don’t have to wait three weeks after being sick, I just need to make sure I am well and fully recovered from the sickness.
The students get a new teacher every year as they advance, just like you.
The kids eat at home, there is no kitchen at the school, only classrooms. Shinda died of old age, eventually the body wears out.
Do you want to see gorillas in the wild one day?
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | May 14, 2009 at 02:18 PM
Hi Eric, Grant, Nick and Daejour,
Thank you for the post on my blog. I am glad to know you learned a lot of new information. The schools don’t provide notebooks because they only have a little money. A mountain gorilla can live up to 45 years in the wild, I saw one that was 42 years old a few months ago. The kids in blue are the girls, the kids in tan are the boys. I started traveling because it was my dream.
Do you want to travel one day?
Cheers,
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | May 14, 2009 at 02:17 PM
Hi next explorers of the world Allie, Ireland and Lauren,
Thank you for the posting on my blog.
Yes, the students get a new teacher every year, just like you do back in Colorado. No, the school does not provide any kind of lunch or food for the students. They go home to eat. Yes, they can wear their own cloths, but often the school uniform is better than their own cloths. Sometimes a school uniform is the only set of clothes they own.
I have never petted a gorilla, they are wild animals that can catch a disease from me, so I always try to keep my distance.
Shinda used to bother Titus to prove how tuff he was. The average life span of a gorilla in the wild is around 35 years. In captivity they can live up to 50.
Felix works for the Karisoke Research Center.
Do you want to see gorillas in the wild one day?
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | May 14, 2009 at 02:16 PM
Hi Morgan, Clare and Natalie,
Thank you for the post on my blog. The volcano that might erupt is far from where the mountain gorillas are found. The mountain gorillas are called primates because they share characteristics with other animals in that scientific category, such as complex hands and feet and large brains. They eat so much because they have large bodies and require a large volume of energy to maintain them. I never saw Shinda alive, but the researchers tell me Shinda liked action. I’ve never tried to pet a gorilla, there is too much risk of giving the gorilla a human disease. They used to design the schools with fewer windows to help keep it warm when it’s cold.
Do you want to see gorillas in the wild one day?
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | May 14, 2009 at 02:13 PM
Dear Dean,
We are 2nd graders at Highland Elementary. We learned that the President of Rwanda names all the baby gorillas. Why does the President of Rwanda get to name all the baby gorillas?We also learned mountain gorillas are increasing in population. We liked the story about Titus. How old is Titus? Why are the mountain gorillas increasing in numbers and the other primates are not increasing? How are the lowland gorillas different from the mountain gorillas? Is size the only thing different between the mountain gorillas and the lowland gorillas? How much do the poachers get for the hands and the skins? Thank you for answering all our questions and taking your time.
Your friends,
Kai, Josh F., Trent, and Grace
Posted by: Kai, Grace, Josh F., and Trent | May 12, 2009 at 01:32 PM
Dear Mr. Jacobs,
Hi, we are 2nd graders in Ms. Shughart's class at Highland Elementary. We looked at Titus and Shinda. We learned there are 300 MG in Rwanda. MG are increasing in numbers. LG are bigger than MG. We liked the MG of the DRC podcast. Why are LG bigger than MG? Are you giving some of the frisbees we sent to the MG? Hope you write more soon.
Your friends,
Emma, Allen, and Giovanni
Posted by: Emma, Allen, and Giovanni | May 12, 2009 at 01:25 PM
Dear Mr. Dean,
We are students in Ms. Shughart's second grade class. We watched the podcast about the first time you saw Mountain gorillas. There are only 700 Mountain gorillas in the world. We like that you help us learn all about the world and Mountain gorillas. Do you get bored seeing the gorillas? Did you give the frisbees to the gorillas yet? Have you heard a gorilla scream? When you get back can you make a gorilla sound?
Thank you for helping us learn about the world.
Your friends,
Christian, Josh, and Thaddeus
Posted by: Christian, Josh, and Thaddues | May 12, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Dear Mr. Jacobs,
We are three kids at Highland Elementary School in Centennial, Colorado.
We looked at the part of the website and it was a mini-movie about mountain gorillas. We learned that the President of Rwanda gets to name the baby gorillas. How many gorillas die each year because of the poachers? How do you pronounce the two volcano's names? Why are the lowland gorillas called lowland gorillas? Does the President of the DRC get to name the mountain gorillas? Thank you for making this website.
Your Friends,
Marshall, Charlotte and Alyssa
Posted by: Charlotte, Marshall, and Alyssa | May 12, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Dear Dean Jacobs,
We are second graders from Ms. Shughart's class at Highland Elementary. We looked at a lot of your website. We learned that Lowland Gorillas (LG) are bigger than Mountain Gorillas (MG). We learned that Diane Fossy started observing the gorrillas. Why was she killed?
We noticed the gorilla groups have names, but do the Gorilla group names mean something. Who is the oldest MG in the forest?
Your friends,
Jayden,Sydney,and Tyler
Posted by: jayden,Sydney,and Tyler | May 12, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Dear Dean Jacobs,
We are fifth graders from Highland Elemantary in Mrs.Franks class. We went to your blog site and read about Titis and bistate school.
We learned that the people and gorillas that live by the volcanoes. It was interesting to learn that gorillas opposable thumbs on their ands and feet. It made us sad that some children only had one piece of crumpled paper as there note book for the entire year! And only one pencil for the entire year. We enjoyed learning about all the different countries you visited but especially the ones with gorillas. We have some questions after your blog.
1. Do students in Africa get a new teacher every year?
2. Do all students need a uniform?
3. How long do gorillas live in captivity?
4. What was it like to be around Titus for so long?
5. What was it like to be around active volcanoes?
Thanks,
Ben, Foster, Garret, Kasandra
Posted by: Ben, Foster, Garret, Kasandra | May 12, 2009 at 11:48 AM
Dear Mr.Dean,
We are in Mrs.Franks 5th grade class. Today we have been looking at Rwanda schools and mountain gorillas. First of all, the mountain gorillas live near a volcano that might erupt. Do they know that they live near it and that they could be in danger? Why are gorillas called primates? We learned that gorillas eat 40 to 50 pounds of food a day. We were also wondering how they eat so much. Did Shinda like action or was he easy going like Titus. We really liked all he pictures that you took. They're amazing to look at. Have you ever gotten the chance to pet a gorilla before? About the schools, there is only one window near the door,why? If you get the chance please write back!
your friends,
Morgan,Clare,and Natalie
Posted by: kids in fifth grade from highland elementary school | May 11, 2009 at 01:42 PM
Dear Mr. Dean,
We are three fith grade girls in Mrs. Franks class. We just looked at pictures and articles about Shinda,Titus, the army, and the school in Rwanda. Our favorite thing about your website is the podcasts and all of the detailed pictures! We learned that children in Rwanda must bring their own papers and pencil to attend class,and that a classroom is four dry mud walls as well as the floor,there is one door and window, and a tin roof.A few more interesting facts we learned are that Titus and Shinda didn't get along, and that Titus was very smart to move away from Shinda! May you please answer some of our questions? We were wondering if the students get a new teacher at the beginning of a new school year,does the school provide lunch for the students, if they can not afford their own uniform can they wear their own clothes? Now we have a few questions about the gorillas. Did you ever pet a gorilla, Why did Shinda bother Titus, how old is the average life span of a gorilla? We also have a question about Felix. How did you get to meet Felix?
Thank you for your time, and inspiring us to learn about differant cultures.
The next explorers of the world,
Allie,Ireland,and Lauren
Posted by: Mrs. Franks' 5th Grade Class | May 11, 2009 at 01:16 PM
Dear Mr.Dean
We are four Highland 5th grade students.
We looked at the Rwanda army soldiers, then we looked at the schools in Rwanda and saw that they don't have to buy supplies to go to school, and we look at Titus and Shinda and it was awesome. We learned that the primates in the Rwanda are dying. We learned that there are two volcanoe named Karsimbi and Bisoke.The schools have a metal roof that rain would get me mad and I could not live or learn in that kind of life. I liked Titus and Shinda it was really cool to learn about this. Why don't the schools provide notebooks and pencils for the students? How old can a mountain gorilla be before it dies in the wild. Why do some kids wear blue and
some don't? How did you ge to traveling aroud the world
and writing.
From your friends, Eric,Grant,Nick,Daejour
Posted by: Mrs. Franks' 5th Grade Class | May 11, 2009 at 01:14 PM
Dear Dean Jacobs,
Hello! We are from Mrs. Franks 5th Grade class at Highland Elementary. We learned about Titus and Shinda. We're sorry to hear that Shinda has pasted away.We looked at the photos of the children at school.And we also looked at the gorilla pictures too!We also looked at newspaper columns. What we like about your website is the pictures, information about Titus, articles, and more.When you go to see the gorillas and you have to wait 3 weeks at the end of the 3 weeks and you are sick do you have to wait 3 more weeks or wait until you recover from your illness? And is it every year that the children get a new teacher or do they have the same teacher every year that they go to school? Do the kids there have to bring a lunch or does it get served, or do they only eat before and after school? And do you know how Shinda died from natural causes? I know it is because he was old but is there any other causes? Thank you for taking your time to read this letter we really hope you can write back.
Sincerely,
Asha,Dana,Danielle,and Kiya
Posted by: 5th Grade students at Highland Elementary | May 11, 2009 at 01:12 PM
Dear Mr.Dean,
We had a lot of fun on your website but we have a few qustions and comments about your website.Do they get a new teacher each year? Also does the school have to serve food or do they have to bring there food? Why are there only male silver backs?
We love reading your blog!!!
Your friends,
Victoria,Baylee,Shanli,and Jaylynn
Posted by: Mrs. Franks' 5th Grade Class | May 11, 2009 at 01:09 PM
Greetings Ms Z,
Sorry for the slow reply to your blog questions. My internet struggles make it hard to keep up. But, non-the- less, here are the answers to your students questions.
Cheers,
Dean
Dear Dean,
Do you know how the gorillas are named?
From,
Alyssa
Hi Alyssa,
Good question! The people who follow the gorillas in the forest like trackers and guides, people that spend a great amount of time with them pick three names based on their behaviors. Then at an official naming ceremony one name is chosen from the three by panel of people.
Cheers,
Dean
Dear Dean,
I am Leah. I am 9 years old. I wanted to ask how many species of gorillas are there in Rwanda? What is it like traveling around the world?
Your friend,
Leah
Hi Leah,
Rwanda only has one species of gorillas, the mountain gorillas. Traveling around the world is one of the most amazing things for me! Do you want to travel one day?
Cheers,
Dean
Dear Dean,
I was wondering do you remember any more gorillas that have a sickness like the Silverback Shinda had?
-Nicole
Hi Nicole,
To the best of my knowledge, I am not aware of any other gorillas having the same sickness as Shinda. Most likely some have had the same sickness in the past though. Diseases are one of the main reasons people should not get to close to gorillas, because we can get sick from the same infections.
Cheers,
Dean
Dear Dean,
How long are you staying in Rwanda?
-Noelle
Hi Noelle,
I am staying in Rwanda for 7 months, which is the longest period of time I have ever stayed in one country!
Cheers,
Dean
Dear Dean,
It was cool talking to a person in Rwanda from Pennsylvania that could actually hear you. I hope that we can talk again.
-Abigail
Hi Abigail,
It was fun talking with all of you too! Good luck with school.
Cheers,
Dean
Dear Dean,
Who taught you how to talk to the gorillas and tell them you are harmless and other things?
-Zach
Hi Zach,
The researchers at Karisoke taught me how to talk to the gorillas. All of the studies of how gorillas behave and communicate was started by Dian Fossey.
Would you like to talk to gorillas in the wild one day?
Cheers,
Dean
Dear Dean,
I think it is REALLY cool that you got to hang out with gorillas, but how do you tell which one is which?
Your friend,
T.J.
Hi T.J.
Good question. All the gorillas look different just as you and I look different. Over time you notice small things like a mole on a cheek or the way they act. One of the most important ways researchers tell them apart is by what they call a nose print. Each nose is different and by looking at it’s shape, the researchers can determine who is who. Pretty cool huh, the nose knows!
Cheers,
Dean
Dear Dean,
It was really cool to see you again. After we walked out of the classroom, I forgot I wanted to ask you: what the gorillas act like when you're around?
From,
Molly
Hi Molly,
The cool thing about being with gorillas is they act normal when you are around. Not all are this way though, only the groups that are habituated, which means they are used to human presence. If they are not habituated, they just run away into the forest.
Cheers,
Dean
Dear Dean,
I have a question: how old is the silverback gorilla right now?
Your friend,
Jack
Hi Jack,
There are many silverbacks in the forest, some that lead the groups, some that are members of the groups but aren’t the leaders, and some that roam the forest alone hoping to attract females to start their own group.
They generally live into their late thirties in the wild. I’ve seen a female gorilla that was 42!
Cheers,
Dean
Dear Dean,
What's the most interesting thing you've ever seen?
An entire grass field filled with fireflies right after a thunderstorm at the beginning of night in Fremont Nebraska.
Dear Dean,
I hope you are having a good time in Rwanda and I hope some day I can go there and see what it is like in person. But for right now I want to stay in the USA. I hope you have fun every minute of the day.
Your friend,
Harley
Hi Harley,
Rwanda has been an amazing adventure, thanks! That would be the coolest when come see it for your self. Making the most of every minute is a good way to live life!
Cheers,
Dean
Dear Dean,
I have a web cam at my house also and was wondering if we an do the web cam with each other and give emails also. Are you able to visit us next year or in Junior High? Did you ever wish that you didn't sell your house and want to go back home? Why did you want and start traveling the world? Did you want to be what you are now or something else when you were little?
Your friend,
Danielle
Hi Danielle,
Thank you for the posting on my blog. I will do my best to answer your emails, sometimes it gets really busy around here. I would love to come visit your school again, let’s hope it works out that way! You asked some great questions! I have never regretted selling my house to go explore the world, it has given me an endless treasure that lives in my heart. It was my dream and curiosity that pulled me out into exploring the world. When I was little sometimes I would think about being a train engineer. But I never imagined I would become a world explorer. One of my personal goals is to help inspire young people to have dreams, what ever that might be for them!
What do you dream of becoming Danielle?
Cheers,
Dean
Dear Dean,
I talked to you on the web cam and you called me Nathan, my name is really Nick. What is the gorillas like? What do they act like?
From,
Nick
Hi Nick,
Sorry I got your name wrong Nick, sometimes the connection is not too good from Africa. The mountain gorillas are cool, they huge, have thick black hair, and sometimes they act like people when they play games and hang out together.
Cheers,
Dean
Dear Dean,
We had a wonderful time talking to you over the compute. Unfortunately, I didn't get to ask you a question so I would like to now. Out of all the places you visited was this one of your favorites? Hope you have fun on the rest of your journey!
From,
Kayla
Hi Kayla,
Thank you for the posting on my blog. Sorry you weren’t able to ask your question, sometimes life goes that way, but good for you for sending it to me and not giving up!
I don’t have a favorite, because ever where I go I meet wonderful people, see interesting things and have amazing experiences!
Do you want to travel one day?
Cheers,
Dean
Dear Dean,
My name is Amanda. I really liked your slide show and the pictures you took. The pictures you took were very nice. After we leave Highcliff I wanted to know if you could come visit us at the Junior High. We really liked when you visited us a few months ago. If you do visit us you can share new information and new photos you took. I'm sure they'll be as good as the ones you showed us a few months ago and if you took more since the last time we talked to you on the web cam we would like for you to share them with us. It was nice talking to you.
(No Name)
Hi Amanda,
Thank you for the posting on my blog and the kind words. I would love to come visit your junior high school, lets hope that might happen! Do you like to take photos?
All the best with school!
Cheers,
D
Posted by: Dean Jacobs | May 06, 2009 at 01:27 AM
He's cool.
Toni.
Posted by: Toni Sorensen | April 11, 2009 at 05:48 PM