Gorilla baby boom offers Ugandan national park hope that conservation efforts are working
- Five baby gorillas have been born in six weeks in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Seven babies have been produced this year, compared to three in 2019
- Despite the constant menace of poaching in Uganda, the park has an estimated 400 mountain gorillas – roughly half the world’s population
Uganda says it has recorded a “baby boom” among gorillas in a national park that is a Unesco World Heritage Site and one of the East African country’s most prized tourist attractions.
Five babies have been born in just six weeks in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, according to the state-run Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). The park is located near Uganda’s southwestern border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The latest, born last weekend, brings the total born this year to seven. In comparison, only three were born last year.
All the babies were born in the same gorilla group or family – the Rushegura – and the rash of births has increased the membership of the group, one of more than 20 in the park, to 18.
“This is highly unusual, it’s an incredible blessing,” said Bashir Hangi, spokesman for the UWA. “As conservationists we’re chest-thumping, we are excited.”
Tourism is one of Uganda’s key sources of revenue, with visitors flocking to its parks to view elephants, lions, giraffes, rhinos and other big game.
