A bright light has dawned on the vast, tropical, misty montane forest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park after the birth of a baby gorilla. Uganda, as a proud gorilla destination, woke to the splendid news of the addition of a new bundle of joy, specifically in the Rushaga gorilla sector of Bwindi. The news struck the nation with absolute joy and confidence to see the conservation and protection efforts of the mountain gorillas continue to bear fruit.
This new baby gorilla was born into the Mucunguzi gorilla family of the Rushaga gorilla sector. This latest addition has raised the number of members in the Mucunguzi gorilla family to 18 members, making it one of the largest groups in Rushaga. This new birth of a healthy baby gorilla in Rushaga is the result of the unseen conservation efforts underway.
For many years, mountain gorillas were declared a critically endangered primate species by the IUCN. With years of protection and continued funding for conservation efforts through the purchase of gorilla permits, the world population of mountain gorillas has seen a significant increase. The last count put the mountain gorillas’ numbers worldwide at about 1,062, but there have been many births since the last count.
How many mountain gorillas are in Bwindi?
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the leading gorilla destination in the world, with over 459 recorded mountain gorillas. This huge number of mountain gorillas means Bwindi harbors the largest population of these primates in all the gorilla destinations. A large number of mountain gorillas call for extra conservation efforts and a wide habitat, and Bwindi has just that.
From the time Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was gazetted as a gorilla habitat and elevated to a national park status, many measures were taken to improve the gorilla population. This saw the eviction of the Batwa pygmies from Bwindi to create room for the expansion of the gorilla territory and pave the way for numerical expansion of the mountain gorillas.
Today, Bwindi stands as a beacon of primate activity and an iconic gorilla destination. And this growth potential is just increasing as more gorillas give birth. The continued preservation efforts of the gorilla habitat and conservation have also seen lower mortality rates of the gorillas. This is attributed to the constant monitoring and excellent research and veterinary services that keep these primates healthy.
How many gorilla families are in Rushaga?
Gorilla families are the definite evidence of the mountain gorillas’ likeness to humans, topped off by a 98% DNA match. These families are headed by a dominant male gorilla called a silverback. Rushaga sector of Bwindi has a sizeable number of mountain gorillas as shown below.
Mucunguzi gorilla family
Recent times have been fruitful for the Mucunguzi gorilla family, with the addition of one more member. The Mucunguzi family is a resident of Rushaga and is part of the habituated families up for exploration. This name, Mucunguzi, is a word in the Runyakole-Rukiga language, meaning “saviour.”
This family was named after its dominant silverback, which was once part of the Bweza family. He broke off after losing a fight to the dominant silverback. He lived a solitary life until he invaded the Bikingi family and took some females. He grew the family to now 18 members.
Bweza gorilla family
Still part of the Rushaga sector, the Bweza gorilla family thrives in the misty, steep jungles. From a double split of the Nshongi and Mishaya families, Bweza was formed. Mishaya was a silverback in the large Nshongi group, but went his way with some females, and Bweza, another silverback, went along. Later, Bweza left as well to venture and begin his family with a few females. The Bweza gorilla family now stands strong with over 14 family members.
Mishaya gorilla family
After leaving the latter Nshongi group, the silverback Mishaya set off with a few females for a new family. He was a fighter, thus growing the family quickly by adding non-habituated members to his family. Mishaya the giant died in 2014 from an obstructed intestine, leaving the family vulnerable.
Many members left for Bweza and Bikingi, threatening the end of the Mishaya family. Later in 2018, Tinfayo, a silverback emerging from the Nshongi, reorganized the Mishaya group and took over its leadership. Mishaya gorilla family currently prides itself on over 12 members.
Nshongi gorilla family
Nshongi gorilla family comprises 10 individuals and is headed by Nshongi, the silverback, and it is located in the Rushaga region of Bwindi. It was the largest group ever habituated, with about 32 gorilla individuals in September 2009, and had over 4 silverbacks that lived in harmony and were led by Nshongi.
This family was named after the river Nshongi, where the gorilla family was first sighted. This massive family, later in July 2010, split into two families that is Mishaya and Bweza gorilla families, and it remained with only 10 individuals.
Kahungye gorilla family
The Kahungye gorilla family was first sighted on the Kahungye hills, thus named after the hills. It was one of the largest gorilla families in Rushaga with over 29 members by 2011 when it was opened to trekking. It was later divided into the Busingye group after a fight for dominance that led to Busingye, the second dominant silverback, leaving with some females. The family now has about 17 healthy members.
Busingye gorilla family
Busingye gorilla group broke away from Kahungye family back in June 2012 after the silverback Busingye chose to be independent and create his own family. This family consists of 9 individuals led by Busingye, the silverback.
This family gets its name from the local word ‘Busingye’, which means ‘peace’. This family is rarely seen at the park edge since it is fondly known for foraging within the forest center. Busingye, the silverback, is known for the ruthless conquering of females from other families, and he is also known as a legendary fighter.
Rushaga gorilla sector is a predominant habitat with over 10 gorilla families, which continue to grow. This is evident with the new birth of a baby gorilla in the Mucunguzi gorilla family. Book with us at Monteero Safaris for an unforgettable journey to encounter the new baby gorilla in the misty Rushaga jungles.