Twin Mountain Gorillas Born in Virunga National Park
Twin Mountain Gorillas Born in Virunga National Park. The twin mountain gorillas born in Virunga National Park are the latest addition to the growing population of the endangered mountain gorillas in the world. On 3rd January 2026, community trackers that are responsible for monitoring the health of the mountain gorilla population in Virunga National Park, discovered the birth of twin mountain gorillas. The twins are born in the Bageni family of mountain gorillas. With further investigation, it is confirmed that the twins are born to adult female, Mafuko, in Bageni family indeed. The twin mountain gorillas born in Virunga National Park by Mafuko are male. Both the twins and the mother, Mafuko, appeared to be in healthy condition at the time of observation.
This twin birth is the 1st birth recorded in Virunga National Park in 2026. The birth of the twins has increased the membership of the Bageni family, to 59 individuals. The Bageni family is the largest mountain gorilla family in Virunga National Park of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Twin births in mountain gorillas are a rare occasion, and as such, potential challenges are faced especially during the early months when the infants are entirely dependent on the support of the mothers. With this recent twin birth, park officials have put up additional monitoring and protection measures in order to closely observe the twins and support their furthering of health and potential survival in their critical first few months.
Who Is Mafuko – The Gorilla in Virunga National Park?
Mafuko, the mother of the twin mountain gorillas born in Virunga National Park, was born into the Kabirizi family on May 23rd 2003. Armed persons assassinated Mafuko’s mother on June 8th 2007 when she was less than 5 years; following this Mafuko stayed with her sister Tumaini in Kabirizi family. Upon the split of the Kabirizi family in January 2013, Mafuko joined the Bageni family, which her sister Tumaini also joined 3 years later.
The twin mother Mafuko is 22 years old, and has given birth to a total of seven newborns, including a set of twins in 2016. Unfortunately, the twins born in 2016 died only a week after birth. With the birth of the recent twins, this makes Mafuko one of the few rare mountain gorillas that have given birth to twins, more so more than once! We hope these twins shall live a full time.
Why are twin births amongst mountain gorillas often resulting in deaths?
- This is because the milk production and energy demands needed to support 2 infants simultaneously is high.
- The pressure on milk production itself can place a major metabolic burden on the twin mother.
- Twin mothers also constantly carry gorilla infants in the early months; with the constant foraging, managing 2 infants is physically draining to the mother.
- Unlike other mammal species, alloparenting is minimal; gorillas do not routinely share in infant care.
With all this, twin births have often resulted in the loss of one or both infants. With the additional monitoring and protection measure put however, we do hope that these new twin mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park shall have all the necessary support for their thriving.
The arrival of the twins is a symbol of hope – an encouraging sign that with continued protection and awareness, mountain gorilla populations can thrive for generations to come.
What are Mountain Gorillas?
Mountain gorillas are subspecies of the Eastern gorillas, commonly known for their thick fur, large size, living in high-altitude volcanic mountain rainforests in East and Central Africa (DRC, Rwanda and Uganda) only, in the wild. Mountain gorillas are endangered and can only be found in their natural habitats in 3 countries as stated above. In the DRC Mountain gorillas are in Virunga National Park, in Rwanda mountain gorillas are in the Volcanoes National Park while mountain gorillas in Uganda can be found both in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park inhabits more than half the total world population of mountain gorillas, and is by far one of the best gorilla trekking destination.
What is Gorilla Trekking?
Gorilla trekking is an activity that involves hiking through the rainforests in search of the mountain gorillas, in their natural habitat. A typical gorilla trekking experience takes you to encounter only the fully habituated mountain gorillas, where you spend up to 1 hour with them, an activity that is one of the once in a lifetime Africa safari activities that Rowin Africa Safaris can plan for you.
Do you want to encounter these mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda? Reach out to us, Rowin Africa Safaris, to help you plan your ultimate gorilla trekking safari experience. A 5 Days Double Gorilla Trekking and Habituation Experience Safari, 2 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trek from Kigali Rwanda among others are a great way to encounter endangered mountain gorillas. If you want to meet the new twin mountain gorillas born in Virunga National Park, wait until peace is restored in the area, and enjoy your gorilla trekking safari with Rowin Africa Safaris!
