After multiple gorilla births this fall in Virunga National Park in the Congo, Adventure Consults is happy to report that a simian babe was also born in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Businza, an adult female
from the Rushegura family, gave birth on Friday, 11th November according to the park’s Facebookpage. The mother and baby were seen by a Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) tracker later in the day. Rangers say this is Businza’s second birth.
According to Mr. Ezuma, the UWA’s area conservation manager, Businza’s first child was born was on the 14th April 2011, which demonstrates a five-year, inter-birth interval for Bwindi gorillas.
Less than 900 mountain gorillas are left in the world and over 50% are found in Uganda. Therefore, every single gorilla birth is a huge reason for celebration.
The most recent birth is the third in as many months. Dr. Andrew Seguya, executive director of the UWA, says the baby boom shows that the consistent and sustained conservation efforts to ensure the survival of the mountain gorillas are finally paying off.
“Over the last 10 years, Uganda has been leading in conservation of the mountain gorilla and we believe that the pristine and safe habitant is the crucial link in the survival of the gorillas as well as their health and wellbeing,” Dr. Seguya explained.
He adds that as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest has the highest possible level of conservation management. This, coupled with safe and secure environment, is reflected in the growing number of baby mountain gorillas