Rwanda Names 40 Gorilla Babies at Kwita Izina 20th Anniversary | International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP)International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP)

September 5^th, 2025 – Today at least 8000 international and national conservation enthusiasts have joined Rwanda to name 40 baby mountain gorillas as the country celebrated the 20^th anniversary of the iconic Kwita Izina Gorilla naming ceremony.

The namers were a blend of global leaders, football legends, artists and conservation champions. The namers’ list included ;  Michelle Yeoh Todt – Internationally acclaimed actress & UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, Jean Todt – UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, Princess Ingeborg zu Schleswig-Holstein – Artist, philanthropist, and Chairperson of the Louisenlund Foundation, Mathieu Flamini – Arsenal legend & CEO, GFBiochemicals,  Claver Ntoyinkima – Senior Ranger Guide and Trainer at Nyungwe National Park,  Dr Yin Ye – CEO, BGI Group & Science Popularization Vlogger,  Charlie Mayhew OBE – Co-founder and CEO, Tusk Trust, His Highness Tunku Ali Redhauddin ibni Tuanku Muhriz – Prince of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia & President, WWF Malaysia , Brenda Umutoni – Ranger at Volcanoes National Park, Khaby Lame – Content creator and social media personality, Ruth Fisher – Corporate Attorney & President, Pereg Holdings, Matthew Harris – Founding Partner, Global Infrastructure Partners, Yemi Alade – Grammy-nominated Nigerian Afropop singer and songwriter, Athanasie Mukabizimungu – Founder and Chairperson, Imbereheza Cooperative, Gahunga, among others.

Given names exuded hope, love, resilience and good wishes for Rwanda and the mountain gorillas. The new names include;  Izere – Hope, Rwandanziza- Beautiful Rwanda, Cyubahiro-Respect, Terimbere- Progress, Higa – Commit, Nkomoko – Origin, Ganza – Dominate, Cyerekezo – Vision, among others.

Rwanda’s Prime Minister, Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva officiated the colorful event and hailed communities on their commendable contribution to mountain gorilla conservation. Dr. Justin also expressed gratitude to the world for joining the celebration worth it.

“To Rwanda, naming mountain gorillas is not just a tradition but an act of love and an assurance of conservation continuity. We are pleased to name these babies in the company of friends. This is a public commitment to protecting the mountain gorillas and their habitat,” said the Prime Minister.

The Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony is modelled off a centuries-old tradition in which Rwandans name their children in the presence of family and friends. For three decades before the first official gorilla naming ceremony, park rangers and researchers named Rwanda’s mountain gorilla babies to monitor each gorilla in their family and habitat. More : https://x.com/Kwitaizina