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Rare Gorilla Twins Born in Congo Jungle
8 Jan
Summary
- Mountain gorilla twins were born to a 22-year-old ape in eastern DRC.
- Twin births are rare, occurring in only 1% of mountain gorilla births.
- Park rangers have implemented special protections for the vulnerable newborns.
In a remote forest within the Democratic Republic of Congo, a remarkable event has unfolded: a pair of mountain gorilla twins was born. Discovered on January 3 by conservationists at Virunga National Park, the two infants were observed to be in good health. This birth is particularly significant given that twin births are exceedingly rare, estimated to occur in only one percent of all mountain gorilla births.
The mother, Mafuko, a 22-year-old ape belonging to the large Bageni family of 59 gorillas, has previously given birth. While she had twins in 2016, sadly, they did not survive. The park is implementing special protections for the new family, recognizing the vulnerability of young gorillas in areas affected by poaching. Virunga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a vital sanctuary for the fewer than 1,100 mountain gorillas remaining in the wild.
Conservation efforts in Virunga, supported by the EU and UNESCO, have led to the species' status being upgraded from 'critically endangered' to 'endangered.' Despite ongoing challenges, including rebel control and past incidents like anthrax poisoning affecting other wildlife, the birth of these twins represents a crucial victory for species protection. The park director emphasized the importance of these births for conservation aims.
