Mountain gorilla Mafuko, a 22-year-old female, has given birth to male twins in Virunga National Park, located in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The birth, observed on January 3, marks an uncommon event, as twin births among mountain gorillas account for approximately one percent of all recorded births. Both Mafuko and her two offspring were reported to be in healthy condition.
Birth Details and Monitoring
Community trackers observed Mafuko embracing her newborns within the park. Park authorities have indicated that additional monitoring and protection measures are being implemented to support the survival of the twins, particularly during their initial months when young gorillas are entirely dependent on their mothers for care and transport. Mafuko previously gave birth to twins in 2016; however, both did not survive beyond one week. The last documented twin birth of mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park occurred in September 2020.
Typically, female gorillas have a gestation period of approximately eight and a half months and usually give birth to a single infant every four years. These twins bring Mafuko's total known offspring to seven.
Virunga National Park and Conservation Efforts
Virunga National Park, Africa's oldest national park, was established over 100 years ago with the primary objective of protecting mountain gorillas. The park spans 7,800 square kilometers (3,000 square miles) and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring diverse ecosystems including volcanoes, lakes, and rainforests. Mountain gorillas are found exclusively in Virunga National Park and adjacent national parks in Rwanda and Uganda.
The global population of mountain gorillas remains fewer than 1,100 individuals. Due to sustained anti-poaching patrols and community programs, supported by the European Union and UNESCO, the species' population in Virunga has increased over the past decade. This trend led to their status being reclassified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) from "critically endangered" to "endangered" in 2018.
Context of the Region
The region surrounding Virunga National Park, including portions of the park itself, has experienced ongoing conflict and is subject to the presence of armed groups. This environment poses risks to the gorilla population, including from poachers, and has contributed to forest degradation. Park staff continue to operate within these conditions to conduct conservation activities.
Mafuko's History
Mafuko was born in 2003 into the Kabirizi family. At four years old, her mother was killed by armed attackers. She subsequently joined the Bageni family in 2013, where she has resided since. The Bageni family, now consisting of 59 members, is currently the largest gorilla family within Virunga National Park.