Mapuwa
25 MEMBERS | UPDATED: 20 NOVEMBER 2019
Mapuwa group is found in Jomba area of Virunga National Park in DRC. Mapuwa group was formed on August 1st, 1998 by the Silverback Mapuwa when he grabbed 2 females (Kagofero and Kanepo) from Lulengo group to form his own group. Mapuwa is a son to the Silverback Rugendo and evolved in Rugendo group. In August 1995, Mapuwa left Rugendo group at the same time as his brother Ruzirabwoba for solitary life. In 2017, the group split into two. Mvuyekure (a silverback among the group) went away with most of the group members and formed its own group (Nvuyekure) leaving Mapuwa with only 3 individuals. And in March 2019 these two groups (Mapuwa and Mvuyekure) ranging in same area interacted and fusioned again under the leadership of Mvuyekure (most probably due to the elderly age of Mapuwa SB). Mapuwa group is currently headed by the dominant Silverback Mvuyekure and is composed of 25 individuals including 3 Silverbacks, 2 blackbacks, 6 adults females,2 sub-adults, 6 juveniles and 6 infants.