Mountain Gorilla News
Blog | 8/08/24
It is bittersweet news in the gorilla region! On a positive note, Kahungye group from the Southern Rushaga Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Uganda welcomed a baby on 18th July 2024 bringing the number of individuals in the group to 16. Adult female Mukidebe aged 10, is the proud mother of the new addition. Being her firstborn rangers look forward to seeing Mukidebe’s parenting skills grow! Mukidebe is the second youngest female in the group, following Adult Female Kakooka.
On a sad note, Bukima, the Dominant Silverback of Rugendo mountain gorilla group in Virunga National Park – DRC died on 21st June 2024, following an aggressive fight with Silverback Kangomani from the same group. Bukima succumbed to injuries sustained from the fight. After his demise, Kangomani took over leadership of the group. “Bukima’s death deeply touched me, and I am struggling to come to terms with it. Bukima was a great leader who bravely held the group together and led it through the hard times when the group suffered a great loss in the past,” says Jacques Katutu, Head of Ecological Monitoring in Virunga National Park, Mikeno sector.
According to the rangers the 32-year-old Silverback Bukima has left a legacy! Born in 1992 Bukima belonged to Ndugutse family but in 2005, Bukima left Ndungutse family to become solitary at the age of 13. Months later, five individuals of Rugendo group including the Dominant silverback Senkwekwe were massacred by armed militia. In response to this, the park strengthened monitoring measures and, in the process, Rugendo group was spotted with two new members – Pilipili and Bukima. Rugendo family, however, faced frequent fights between the two silverbacks – Bukima and Pilipili over dominance and control of the group. Pilipili eventually left Rugendo family in 2009, leaving Bukima as its undisputed leader. Since then, Bukima led the group, until his death.
