A June to Remember: In Memory of Silverback Rafiki | International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP)International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP)

In June 2020, the world grieved the loss of Bwindi’s Dominant Silverback Rafiki.  “Rafiki was gentle and very friendly just like his name. When visitors were around Rafiki would show his face just like a good host should be.  He was one of the amazing and powerful boys we had here” says Tumwesigye Wilbur, Sgt. Ranger Guide – Nkuringo Southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Rafiki succumbed to an injury sustained by a sharp object used by a poacher in self-defense against Rafiki who charged at him and others while hunting for wild meat in the park.

In memory of Rafiki, a magnificent monument was erected at the offices of Uganda Wildlife Authority in Nkuringo Southern Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Thanks to Uganda Wildlife Authority which ensured that the killers of Rafiki are brought to book. The member of the community implicated, and his accomplices were all arrested and the implicated was convicted of three counts including killing a protected species, illegal entry into a Protected Area and being in possession of devices capable of injuring wildlife.

Poaching is one of the threats facing mountain gorillas in the region. While mountain gorillas are not the primary targets by poachers, they are often victims of this evil. Park managers however have strengthened measures against poaching e.g. intensifying patrols to cover more areas of the park and extending the patrol hours.

Wilbur reveals that since Rafiki’s death, park managers have done a lot to ensure that the park is safe. For example, after tracking trackers stay behind for 3-4 hours monitoring the group and its surrounding to ensure that the mountain gorillas are safe unlike in the past when the trackers would leave immediately with the visiting team.

According to Mr. Dickson Katana, Warden in Charge of Southern Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the park increased its manpower after Rafiki’s death. They recruited and deployed an additional 100 rangers in Bwindi and created a couple of mobile camps/outposts within the park – at River Ivi in Nkuringo, Nshanjari and in Kanyambugu. The teams at these outposts are charged with the responsibility of patrolling the park for any illegal activities.  “These efforts and more have seen to a reduction in the number of snares and poaching incidences in the park over the last three years,” says Dickson.

Commenting on the death of Rafiki, Mr. Dickson Katana says it was a very unfortunate incident. “The loss of Rafiki was a very big and bad blow to the park. For wildlife to die from poaching not even sickness is terrible. Rafiki was a great Silverback,” says Dickson.

The primary causes of poaching in and around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park according to Dickson are traditional beliefs or sentimental attachments to the park by some sects of the community who used to live in the park before. They believe that the park remains their source of livelihood. And two, love for bush meat by another fraction of the community.

Sharing more about Rafiki the rangers say he was very intelligent and a good family administrator.  Rafiki respected all members of his group – both males and females. He also involved females in leadership. For example, he always selected adult females like Kwitonda to oversee the group in his absence or to co-manage with him.  Additionally, whenever he was going to fight another group, Rafiki would first hide members of his group somewhere and then go alone. This was an intelligent move. It ensured two things – protection of his members from grabbing by the other groups and safety against embarrassment before his group members in case he lost to the other group.

Twenty-five-year-old Rafiki of Nkuringo group was the only Silverback in the group and when he died the Blackback Rwamutwe confidently assumed the group’s leadership. Assisted by the other Blackbacks, Rwamutwe has bravely taken care of the group and ensured its safety and wellbeing.  The group is currently composed of 12 Individuals including 4 Blackbacks, 4 Adult Females, and 4 Infants.

Rafiki left behind a pregnant Adult Female Nderemara who put to bed a healthy infant male on 1^st March 2021. The little baby was named Rafiki Junior in memory of his father and as a way of carrying on the great Silverback’s legacy. Rafiki Junior is all grown, healthy and strong. He loves to play and touch visitors. Rafiki Junior is curious and friendly just like his father Rafiki was, the rangers say.

Nkuringo gorilla group was the first habituated group for tourism in Nkuringo, southern sector of Bwindi in 2004. Today there are four tourism groups (Nkuringo, Bushaho, Posho and Christmas) in Nkuringo Southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Nkuringo Southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.