Preface --

In the mountain meadow of Carl Akeley and George Schaller --

Second beginning: Karisoke Research Centre, Rwanda --

Karisoke field impressions --

Three generations of one gorilla family: group 5 --

Wild orphans bound for captivity: Coco and Pucker --

Animal visitors to the Karisoke Research Centre --

The natural demise of two gorilla families: group 8 and 9 --

Human visitors to the Karisoke Research Centre --

Adjustment to a new silverback leader: group 4 --

Growing family stability: group 4 --

Decimation by poachers: group 4 --

Formation of a new family lends hope: Nunkie's group --

Epilogue --

Appendixes: --

A. Food vegetation types --

B. Birth frequency graph --

C. Rainfall distribution in the Virungas --

D. 1981 census findings --

E. Common gorilla vocalizations --

F. Autopsy findings --

G. Parasitology research --

Bibliography --

Index --

Maps: Habitats of the mountain gorilla ; Gorilla food vegetation zones ; Gorilla group ranges --

Family lines.