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In any study of animal behaviour, it is important (although often overlooked) to test the reliability of the data collected (Martin and Bateson, 1993). Such reliability-testing allows quantification of the level of confidence which can be given to the interpretation of the results. Without this testing, it cannot be determined whether the results provide a true reflection of the behaviours performed by the study animals, or are simply a function of the methodology employed, or of the observers themselves. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the reliability of data collected during a quantitative survey of the behaviour of a reintroduced group of orphan gorillas in the Republic of Congo.