It's said that they have the mentality of a human toddler. Looking into their eyes you can see the intelligence and love shining through. If the time is taken, they can be taught to communicate using sign language. This allows them to express joy, sadness, and even to tell jokes. They've even been known to lie.

Thick muscles covered by coarse black fur, they are intimidating large beasts. If you stumbled upon one in the wild, a grown man would weep in distress. But there is no need to fear. They are gentle despite their intimidating size.

Do not mistake their gentleness for weakness. When the family is in threatened their leader will not hesitant to defend. Ruthless in battle, they can tear the limbs from their opponents with barely an effort.

Few know of their smell, a thick pungent musk that clings to the air. It's only amplified by the sweltering tropics of Africa, where exclusively live.

They are a critically endangered species, poaching and a recent outbreak of the Ebola virus making their numbers scarce.