In a significant boost for conservation efforts, a pair of rare mountain gorilla twins have been welcomed into the world at Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A Rare and Hopeful Discovery
Park officials confirmed that community trackers, who monitor the health of the endangered apes, made the exciting discovery. The twin boys, born to adult female gorilla Mafuko, were spotted appearing to be in healthy condition. This event marks the first recorded gorilla births of 2026 in the park and is a notably rare occurrence for the species.
Strengthening the Bageni Family
The new arrivals have expanded the Bageni family group to 59 individuals, solidifying its status as the largest gorilla family within Virunga National Park. Park authorities described the twin birth as "a major event" for both the family and the ongoing work to increase the mountain gorilla population in the reserve.
However, officials also noted that twin births present unique challenges. "Twin births among mountain gorillas are rare and present additional challenges, particularly during the early months when infants are entirely dependent on their mother for care and transport," a park statement explained.
To support the twins' survival during this critical period, the park is deploying additional monitoring and protection measures to closely observe their development and health.
Mother Mafuko's Remarkable Journey
The mother, Mafuko, has a poignant and resilient history. Born into the Kabirizi family in 2003, she stayed with the group after her own mother was killed by armed individuals when Mafuko was just four years old. Following the split of the Kabirizi family in 2013, she joined the Bageni family.
Now 22 years old, Mafuko has given birth to a total of seven babies. Tragically, a previous set of twins born in 2016 died just a week after birth, making the health of these new twins a focus of intense hope and care.
Mountain gorillas, a subspecies of eastern gorilla, inhabit mountainous forests spanning the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda. Thanks to sustained conservation work, their global population is estimated to be around 1,000, a remarkable recovery from a low of roughly 400 individuals in the 1980s. The birth of these twins represents another hopeful step forward for this critically endangered species.
