A MIGHTY Silverback gorilla dubbed “The King” once starred in a popular film with Sigourney Weaver.
The young gorilla first starred in “Gorillas in the Mist”, a film about the famed gorilla conservationist Dian Fossey.
Dian was portrayed by Sigourney Weaver in the popular hit film.
Orphaned at the age of four, Titus, began his ascent as the “world’s biggest gorilla” after joining a group of bachelor gorillas led by the ape gang’s leader Beetsme.
After several years as Beetsme’s subordinate, and fathering several offspring in secret, Titus wrestled control from his former king at the age of 17 and was crowned king of his tribe in a bloodless coup.
Titus sired more children than any other gorilla on record and by 2004 controlled the largest known gorilla troop in the world.
While his 15-year-long reign was long and fruitful, it came to an end for the 35-year-old, 32st gorilla after two of his sons tried to take control.
Titus’ first born Kuryama displaced his father in 2007 after he made a bid to become the group’s dominant male.
However, unwilling to give up his position, Titus split with the group and his loyal followers remained with him until he was murdered two years later.
At the age of 35 and not as strong as he once was, Titus was challenged by his 17-year-old son Rano who had not been seen for two years.
The young Silverback gorilla threatened his father’s position, and in turn, Titus fled on foot to keep the young usurper away.
However several weeks of fleeing Rano weakened the gorilla king as he struggled with the stress.
Field trackers from Karisoke Research Centre found the aged gorilla dead in his nest on September 14.
Titus’ legacy was immortalised in the BBC documentary “The Gorilla King”.
The documentary looks at his life and his rise to power in Rwanda’s Virunga Mountains.
The documentary description reads: “Titus is not just one of the most powerful silverbacks in Rwanda’s Virunga Mountains, he is possibly the most remarkable gorilla ever known.
“His life story is as full of drama, intrigue and tragedy as any human soap opera.
“Against a stunning backdrop of misty volcanic peaks cloaked in bamboo and giant lobelia, Titus has successfully steered his family group through thick and thin. Now he is under pressure again.”
The large Silverback also made a lasting impression on Sir David Attenborough, who met Titus, then 5, as the young orphaned gorilla jumped on his back.
He said: “He was a charming little animal. Certainly, it was very memorable and I haven’t been allowed to forget it.”
Born in August 1974, Titus was initially thought to have little chance of survival.
His uncle Digit, was killed by poachers in 1978 and had his head and hands hacked off. The same poachers later returned to slaughter Titus’s father, Bert.
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