A pair of male mountain gorillas were born to a mother named Mafuko in the conflict-affected eastern Congo, as reported by Virunga National Park. The twins were discovered on January 3 and were deemed healthy during the initial observation. The national park, spanning over 7,700 square kilometers, is a crucial habitat for the endangered mountain gorillas, although a significant portion of it is currently under rebel control, leading to forest degradation.
Raising twins can pose challenges, especially in the early stages when the infants rely entirely on their mother for care and movement. The newborn gorillas are under close monitoring to ensure their well-being and survival.
Images released by the park’s press service show Mafuko, a 22-year-old gorilla, cradling the twin babies amidst the lush greenery. Mafuko, originally from the Kabirizi family, integrated into the Bageni family after her mother’s tragic death at the hands of armed individuals in 2007.
The birth of the twins is a significant event for the Bageni family and contributes to the conservation efforts aimed at supporting the growth of the endangered mountain gorilla population within Virunga National Park. Mafuko has now given birth to a total of seven offspring, including a previous set of twins that sadly passed away a week after birth in 2016. The Bageni family, now with 59 members, stands as the largest gorilla family within the park.