It is Raining Babies in Our Adopted Gorilla Groups! | International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP)International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP)

At least 10 mountain gorilla babies from Igisha and Isimbi mountain gorilla groups will be named during this year’s 20^th Kwita Izina mountain gorilla naming ceremony. Igisha and Isimbi are two of IGCP’s three adopted mountain gorilla groups.

The Igisha babies to be named are 9-month-old infant from Adult Female Umihigo, 1 month old baby from Adult Female Imbaga, 3-month-old infant from Adult Female Ikigega and 1 and a half year old infant from Adult Female Twongere. On the other hand, Isimbi’s 6 babies include 8 month infant from Adult Female Rwandarushya, 11-month-old infant from Adult Female Africa, 7-month-old infant from Adult Female Isura, 1 year old infant from Adult Female Ejoheza, 1 and a half months infant from Adult Female Sugira and 7-month infant from Adult Female Dukundane.

Speaking about the amazing number of babies, rangers credit these groups’ lead Silverbacks for protecting the females and their babies. “The dominant Silverbacks Igisha and Muturengere are known for executing their fatherly role perfectly. They have time and again protected the females and young ones against any intruding groups. They have equally protected their home range, and this has decreased interactions with other groups,” says Godfrey Ngabonziza, Head Ranger for Isimbi group.