THE RARE DOUBLE BEAUTY OF GORILLA TWINS NOW

GORILLA TWINS

Twin gorillas births are rare. Those that survive are even more rare.

But recently, two sets of twin gorillas were born in eastern and central Africa, and they are all thriving. Their success is credited, in large part, to conservation efforts, underway for decades. Gorillas are under threat for extinction due to poaching, encroachment, & disease.

Twins recently born in the Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas complex, in Central African Republic (CAR), were the 1st ever born to the area’s habituated gorillas. The DSPA Primate Habituation & Research Program has been operating since 1998. 

Co-managed by the CAR government and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Program generates much-needed revenue and strengthens vital links with the community. It employs over 80 eco-guards for continuous surveillance of the area.

Named Inguka and Inganda, after 2 forest shrubs used for nesting and fodder, the new gorilla twins are thriving, thanks to their mother Malui’s excellent care. Their father, Makumba, a beautiful silverback, keeps watch.

Although multiple sets of twins have been recorded for eastern gorillas, it is an especially rare occurrence for western gorillas. Another set of western gorilla twins was recorded in Mbeli Bai in northern Congo last year. This area is supported by Wildlife Conservation Society, among others.

Volcanoes National Park, in Rwanda, is home to critically endangered mountain gorillas. There are less than 900 on Earth. Thanks in part to efforts by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (DFGFI), there’s hope. Recently born twins are the 3rd set recorded in the last 50 years, out of 270 births. 

About 25% of single infants die during their first year of life. The survival of twin infants is even more precarious. Isaro, the twins’ mom holds them close, not letting any other gorillas, besides their father,  Isabukuru, help her care for them.

Because gorillas use their arms to walk, it’s a struggle for mothers to keep up with the group as they migrate and hunt for food. Soon after the twins were born, the group migrated into the alpine zone of Mount Karisimbi, at about 3,500 meters high. 

The twins are set to be named at the 12th annual Kwita Irina, the annual baby gorilla naming ceremony, ceremony later this year.

The images shown here were taken by Jean Pierre Samedi Mucyo, a research assistant at DFGFI.

Read more about Beautiful Doubles in The Double Inner & Outer Beauty of Twins Now.

And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact Daily Fix posts.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: Courtesy of the World Wild Life Fund. Malui & her twins.
2. Image: by Janika Wendefeuer. Courtesy of World Wildlife Fund. Malui & her twins.
3. Image: by Nick Radford. Courtesy of the World Wild Life Fund. Malui & her twins.
4. Image: by Nick Radford. Courtesy of the World Wild Life Fund. Malui, Makumba, & their twins.
5. Image: Courtesy of Wildlife Conservation Society. Winona & her twins, Wade & Wido. Mbeli Bai, Congo.
6. Image: by Jean Pierre Samedi Mucyo. Courtesy of Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. Isaro & her twins.
7. Image: by Jean Pierre Samedi Mucyo. Courtesy of Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. Isaro & her twins.
8. Image: by Jean Pierre Samedi Mucyo. Courtesy of Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. Isaro & her twins.
9. Image: by Jean Pierre Samedi Mucyo. Courtesy of Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. Isaro & her twins.
10. Image: by Sabine Bresser. N'gayla and her twins. Peek-a-boo boy.
11. Image: by Sabine Bresser. N'gayla and her twins.
12. Image: by BN App - Download now!
13. Image: by Sabine Bresser. N'gayla and her twins. Everybody Very Interested in the Twins.