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Left: Native dancers performed before
the gorilla trek.
Below: Tourists are instructed to stay
20 feet away from mountain gorillas,
which roam the rainforest.

Continued from the previous page naughty child, had found a vine and was bent them over almost to the ground and
climbing it. His mom pulled him back ate the leaves.
The Scheuerells were on their toes strain- and sat him down on the ground, only
ing to see the gorillas ahead when the to have him do it again and again. The After what felt like only a few minutes,
guide whispered, “The gorillas are coming group watched the troop rest, play and the one hour Scheuerells’ group had to
up behind us. Move over to the right as eat. To eat, gorillas climbed trees, then view the gorillas was up, and it was back
far as you can and allow them to pass.” through the jungle to meet up with the
There was not much space to move in the jeep and a ride back to the park exit.
thick jungle, as the area was close to a
hill, but the tourists moved to one side, While only an hour was spent with
holding their breath to be this close to the the gorillas, the whole park experience
gorillas. Along came the gorillas, walking lasted about six hours and was magical,
on all fours, big, beautiful animals. They said Judy Scheuerell. She smiles at the
passed closely by the tour group. Appar- memory of almost shaking hands with
ently Judy Scheuerell wasn’t far enough one of the gorillas, and the casual sweep
off the path to the gorillas’ liking, and of the huge hand to gently move her a
one of the females casually reached out, little farther away from the troop. It was
and with a kindly movement of her hand, a moment to savor.
gently swept the Texas resident farther
back and walked on. Bob Scheuerell was
right behind his wife and was able to catch
her before she stumbled, as the movement
from the gorilla had been unexpected and
caught her off guard. Later when asked by
the group if she were scared, she said “No,
I was thrilled. I was actually touched by
one, and I’m the only one in the group who
had that experience. It was wonderful.”

The Scheuerells’ group, following the
path the troop took, resumed walking
and caught up with their troop, who were
spread out here and there through the
jungle and eating. One tiny baby, like a

64 | SUNRAYS JULY 2015 ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG