Sir David Attenborough's 1978 gorilla encounter revisited in new documentaries

11 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Apr 27

As Attenborough nears his 100th birthday, two documentaries, including a Netflix film and a BBC special airing May 3, revisit his 1978 meeting with mountain gorillas in Rwanda's Virunga Mountains.
The documentaries explore the original encounter, the story of the gorilla family—especially Pablo, who became a silverback leader—and the lasting conservation impact sparked by the broadcast.
Attenborough's footage helped shift public perception of gorillas, contributed to conservation efforts, and inspired eco-tourism, with the Virunga gorilla population now rising from under 285 to around 600.

Did the fame from Attenborough's visit create unforeseen dangers for the gorillas?

What secrets from his 1978 diaries does Attenborough finally reveal in the new film?

After 50 years of progress, is the mountain gorilla now facing its greatest threat?

What does Pablo the gorilla's life story reveal about leadership and family?

How are rangers fighting a war to save Virunga's wildlife from armed rebels?

Can Rwanda's tourism model save wildlife in other conflict-prone regions?