In the lush forests of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, wildlife photographer Christophe Courteau was quietly capturing shots of a gorilla troop when the unexpected happened.
In a fraction of a second, a 250-kilogram alpha male charged, fist raised—and Courteau managed to snap one final frame just before the blow landed. What caused the sudden aggression? A bellyful of fermented bamboo and a rival male in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The Charge in Volcanoes National Park
Courteau was photographing mountain gorillas during the rainy season, when the animals migrate to the Virunga Mountains to feed on bamboo. The alpha male of the troop, normally indifferent to human presence, suddenly barreled through the vegetation and struck Courteau with his left hand.
According to the photographer, the gorilla’s attention wasn’t on him—he was chasing off a rival male positioned just behind Courteau. The punch wasn’t an attack, but a push through an obstacle.
The Cause: Fermented Bamboo Feasting
The incident was linked to the gorilla’s diet. During bamboo season, gorillas eat large amounts of the shoots, which ferment in their stomachs and can produce an intoxicating effect. Courteau, experienced with photographing this species, noted their usual timid behavior.
But under the influence, the alpha had become noticeably more volatile. Reports from other photographers, including Andy Rouse in 2009, confirm similar encounters with gorillas showing signs of mild inebriation after bamboo binges.
One Last Shot and a Scar
Incredibly, Courteau captured a photo just before the gorilla made contact. “In less than a second, he was on me,” he later said. “With the shock, I felt all his power and weight on my body.”
Despite the force of the hit—comparing it to being tackled by a rugby player—Courteau was not seriously hurt. He walked away with a scar on his forehead and a photograph documenting the moment just before impact.
A Rare and Wild Moment
Courteau’s encounter occurred in October 2014 and was later covered by international news agencies. The event offered a rare view into both gorilla behavior during bamboo season and the unpredictable nature of working alongside wild animals.
Though startled, Courteau returned with more than photos—he left the forest with a moment he said he would remember for the rest of his life.
While photographing gorillas in Rwanda, Christophe Courteau captured one final image just before a 250kg alpha male struck him in the face.
The massive gorilla, apparently intoxicated from fermented bamboo, charged through the forest and delivered a punch Courteau will never… pic.twitter.com/16eJiSUq26
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) June 2, 2025