Australian researcher finds female gorillas in same-sex act

More researchers are filming evidence of animals engaged in same-sex act. Barely a month after Nicole Cambre, a Belgian photographer, captured on camera two African lions in an apparent bromance, an Australian primate expert documented for the first time two female gorillas in same-sex behaviour.

Dr Cyril Grueter, an associate professor and primate expert at the University of Western Australia found the two female primates in the mountains of Rwanda. She believes the act was motivated by sexual arousal.

Grueter observed it while studying the feeding ecology of mountain gorillas. At that time, there was strong rain in the jungle and the female gorilla were enjoying the sunshine, while courting male gorillas which were not interested in the females.

The find made Grueter observe the female species more. He explains, “We decided to delve a little deeper, because it reminded me of human homosexual behavior … Gorillas are closely related to humans and we thought by looking at this behaviour we could learn a little more about our own evolution,” quotes The Sydney Morning Herald.

After observation, Grueter noted that female gorilla sexuality was very flexible, similar human women who are more fluid in sexuality in comparison to men. “They can easily switch from a preference for males to a preference for females,” he adds. When there is no male gorilla around, they entice other female to mate with them.

Grueter observed 22 female gorillas, 18 of which engaged in same-sex activities such as genital rubbing. But he stresses, “We believe it is simply a function of sexual arousal, it doesn’t have another function.”

The study, titled "Homosexual behavior in female mountain gorillas: reflection of dominance, affiliation, reconciliation or arousal? has been published by Plos One. The study was facilitated by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International.