NEW BABY GORILLA IN RUSHEGURA FAMILY

Uganda is one of the landlocked country in East Africa however been blessed with a lot of wildlife, Flora and Fauna, Hospitable people with diverse history and ethnic background. The mandatory conservation programs under different ministries in the country have been paramount in protecting and ensuring that all tourist attractions are safe for anyone to undertake the adventure. The country therefore is a habitat for the few remaining endangered primates named on the IUCN RED LIST which are Mountain gorillas in the conservation areas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park hosting over 480 primates and there are numerous gorilla families that have been habituated for human encounter all year round. And luckily one of the gorilla families in Buhoma sector known as Rushegura family on the eve of 3^rd December welcomed a new baby gorilla thus increasing the number to the family.

The birth of a new baby gorilla to Rushegura family clearly indicates and dignifies the area and It’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site which means that Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park has the highest possible level of conservation management. UWA monitors the mountain gorilla population closely. Bwindi is home to 19 groups of habituated gorillas and a home to the largest mountain gorilla population found anywhere in the world and best for gorilla tracking adventure.

The news of the birth of the new baby gorilla was discovered by Bwindi Veterinary Doctor known by the names of Mr. Stephen Rubanga who encountered the female gorilla Ruterana the mother to the baby on an early supervision to the family where he found the mother holding her baby closely. The family presently has approximately 19 members under the leadership of Kabukojo the dominant silver back and the other members are kyinvi, kibande, Buzinza, Nyamunwa, karungi as adult females, kalemezi the sub adult male, Ruterana sub adult female, Nyampazi, kanywanyi and kafuruka as juveniles, kibande and Karungyi as baby juveniles, Kyirinvi, Buzinza, Nyamunwa, Kibande and katabazi as infants. Recently, Rurena gave birth to a newborn baby expanding on the family

Mwirima the dominant silverback died a couple of years ago and apparently the family is led by Kabukojo the dominant silver back. Previously Mwirima before his death was known for his strong and courageous character as he would fight for the sovereignty of his family and succeeded in many battles with different Gorilla groups. Therefore the birth of the new baby gorilla in the family greatly reveals the succession and continuity of the family due to increase on the number of family members and as well an increase to the liveliness in the tracking sector since having an encounter to a family with playful juveniles has been termed as one of the exciting moments on a trek to mountain gorillas in the jungle.

Therefore the birth of this new baby in Buhoma is not only a blessing to the gorilla family but entirely good news to the tourism sector and conservation bodies since this itself attracts and motivates more visitors to visit the area and witness the presence of the baby which in turn provides revenue to the country and community empowerment thus development and improved standards to the people in the neighboring communities.

Ensure that you book your gorilla tracking permit to the sector in time and stand chances of meeting this new baby gorilla of Rushegura gorilla family in Buhoma sector, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Note: Gorilla permits are sold on first come first serve basis and 8 visitors are allocated to a specific group per day per trek.  The chances of encountering the gorillas in the jungle are 98% so be assured of having a close look to the primates at a distance of 7meters and an hour experience where you will take plenty of pictures and ask questions on what you would love to know about these gentle giants from researchers and ranger guides.

Gorilla trekking is currently one of the fore front activity that any visitor would include on his travel package since chances of having an encounter to these primates is assured and you can not go wrong minus seeing them. its indeed memorable meeting them and getting to understand how they survive in the jungle and as well how they relate to human presence without any violence while on the trek.