>>207 The words "alpha gorillas" were interpolated by me, not without irony, because:

1) they are really not alpha gorilla types
2) they are not at all hairy
3) they like to think they are alpha gorillas

You are right to say that the underlying reason for the phrase was that they were at the top of the tree at that particular gathering - hence the circling/rivalry and the onlookers' mirth.