New Baby Gorilla in Ruhija Sector, Bwindi

It is yet another great news in the mountain gorilla habitat as a new baby gorilla excite conservationists in Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park! According the statement released by officials from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the gorilla birth was recorded in Ruhija, the Eastern gorilla trekking region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

The gorilla birth was recorded in Mukiza gorilla family of Ruhija area. Thanks to Twijukye adult female mountain gorilla! The new born baby gorilla was registered on 11^th.10.2020. With the current gorilla birth, Mukiza gorilla group now accounts for 15 endangered mountain gorillas. It is an interesting habituated gorilla family to track while on Uganda gorilla safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Mukiza gorilla group split from Kyaguriro gorilla family group of Ruhija area. It was formed in 2016 after breaking away from Kyaguriro group and this was under then leadership of Mukiza silverback. The group’s composition includes adult female gorillas, juveniles, infants, silverback and others.

Brief about Ruhija gorilla trekking region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Ruhija sector is the Eastern gorilla tracking area in Bwindi National Park. This gorilla safari park alone refuges over 459 mountain gorillas and Ruhija area shelters about 4 habituated gorilla families. They include Mukiza group that has recently recorded gorilla birth, Oruzongo gorilla family group, Kyaguriro group and Bitukura group family.

Oruzongo gorilla family

Oruzongo is one of the 4 habituated gorilla groups set for gorilla trekking in Ruhija region of Bwindi. This gorilla family was officially opened for tracking around 2011 under the leadership of Bakwate silverback gorilla. It has a composition of about 17 gorillas including many playful juveniles that make it an interesting group to explore on Uganda gorilla safari.

Kyaguriro group

Kyaguriro gorilla family is considerably the oldest of all the gorilla families in Ruhija Uganda region. It underwent habituation in 1995 although it is also the least explored by visitors on gorilla trekking tour in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This gorilla family was originally headed by Rukina silverback but unfortunately, he was struck by lightning. He was replaced by Mukiza silverback but around 2016, the family broke into 2; the Kyaguriro A also known as Rukara and Kyaguriro B that is headed by Mukiza.

Bitukura gorilla family

Bitukura gorilla group takes its name from the river where was first sighted. It underwent habituation in 2007 then officially opened for gorilla tourism in 2008. It has a composition of about 14 mountain gorillas although it originally comprised of 24 members. Note, the composition of these impressive apes keeps changing depending on a number of factors like fights, family breaks in which another silverback leaves original family to make his or others decide to migrate to another gorilla group.