Michael Silver Mediator & Arbitrator

See how Dispute Resolution is carried out with higher order primates. It is very reminiscent of human behaviour and demonstrates that our approaches have not arisen in an evolutionary vacuum.

The following is actual footage taken by Mike Silver in Volcanoes National Park (neighbouring Virunga National Park) in Rwanda in 2013. Trekkers were allowed to spend only 1 hour/day with “family” groups which have been acclimatised to humans and located earlier in the morning. This clip occurs right at the end of the session but I kept filming. One can hear the Guide say "for the last time” referring to the request that we must leave. My disobedience rewarded me with a scene few are lucky enough to observe!!

The clip shows a female lazing on her back (the aggressor) suddenly get up and attack another female(the victim). They commence fighting behind a bush. The big Silver Back male, who is the head of the "family" looks on and does nothing until the aggressor bites the victim. He then rushes over and sits by the squabbling females, as if his mere presence should be enough to stop them.

It is not and when he sees the aggressor bite the victim, he bites the aggressor to sanction her out of bounds behaviour.

Then the aggressor leaves, kow towing and holding her head low as if in shame, but the victim follows her and taunts her-pushing her and squealing-almost making fun of her--as if to say "Ha Ha, you got in trouble!!” The Silver Back is looking on, but when he sees the former victim's taunts culminate in her biting the aggressor he deems that she has gone too far. A horrified look appears on his face (it is very visible-slow down the video and look at it), as if to say "You can't do that—that is not your role to do. How dare you! Discipline is my prerogative!!”

He then rushes over and bites the victim who has bitten the aggressor. There is huge commotion but eventually the females quieten down and the Silver Back sits in the middle, lording it over the rest of the “family” and achieving the peace he desires.

What do we make of all this?

There is no question the gorillas are displaying some very human characteristics relevant to dispute resolution.

a)  There is a hierarchy, and the Silver Back is police, mediator, judge and jury. He is the individual whom the community trusts and they repose in him the authority to act fairly. He is the statesman and if necessary, the enforcer.
b)  Some conflict is allowed but it is not permissible to cross a certain line.
c)  Dispute resolution is at first more facilitative, and if that does not work, more coercive.
d)  Peace, calm and harmony in relationships between individuals is the community goal. We can see elements of human behaviour in this clip. We can only hope that efforts to conserve the mountain gorilla habitat and population are successful.

Michael Silver
July 2019
 
 
Michael Silver Mediator & Arbitrator
355 St Clair Ave W, 1806
Toronto, ON M5P 1N5
Phone: (416) 656-3841
Fax: (416) 656-8143
Email: mikesilvermediator@gmail.com