A national park in war-torn eastern Congo has announced the birth of twin mountain gorillas, labeling it a significant occurrence for the endangered subspecies. The arrival of two male gorillas to mother Mafuko was confirmed on January 3, with the twins appearing healthy during the observation. Virunga National Park, spanning over 7,700 square kilometers and housing a substantial population of mountain gorillas, faces challenges due to rebel control and increased forest loss.
The park highlighted the potential challenges in caring for twins, especially in the initial months when the infants rely entirely on their mother for care and movement. The newborns are under close observation to ensure their well-being and survival. Images released by the park’s press service depicted 22-year-old Mafuko cradling the baby gorillas amidst a natural setting.
Mafuko, originally from the Kabirizi family but later joining the Bageni family after her mother’s unfortunate demise at the hands of armed individuals in 2007, has now given birth to seven offspring. This includes a previous set of twins that tragically passed away a week after birth in 2016. The Bageni family, now consisting of 59 members and being the largest in the park, sees the birth of the twins as a pivotal moment for their family dynamics and ongoing conservation efforts to bolster the mountain gorilla population within Virunga National Park.