The Mountain Gorillas of Virunga... and the Orphans

The Mountain Gorillas of Virunga

The rangers of Virunga National Park have begun to piece together the individual histories of the habituated mountain gorillas of the Mikeno sector. This is the first time anything like this has been undertaken, so you can now read up on each gorilla’s parents, siblings, offspring and their movements between family groups.

With thanks to gorilla.cd, you can view the gorilla profiles here via their site. Not all the gorillas have been added as yet, but more will be posted in time. Rather than duplicate the profiles here, do check out the link.

Read the results of the mountain gorilla census undertaken in January 2009, after rangers were able to return to the Mikeno sector, courtesy of the author and Park Director, Emmanuel de Merode.

The Orphans

Interim quarantine facility in Kingi, Rwanda

At the time of writing (May 2009) there are 12 gorilla orphans being cared for in Rwanda and DR Congo. All were victims of various illegal activities that continue to plague DR Congo, such as the illegal pet trade and poaching for bushmeat.

Poaching and the illegal trade in infants is unfortunately still a common occurrence. This usually results in the death of the rest of the family group as they try to defend the young. This trade involves different species but the demand for gorillas and chimpanzees appears to remain high.

In Rwanda, 6 confiscated orphaned eastern lowland gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri) and 2 mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) are housed at the Kinigi interim quarantine facility. The eastern lowland gorillas are named Serufuli, Pinga, Itebero, Ntabwoba, Dunia and Tumaini, whilst the mountain gorillas are Maisha (female) and Kaboko (male). All were orphaned as a result of poaching.

Experienced carers tend to the needs of the gorillas 24 hours a day. This includes collecting and preparing their daily food and watching over their development both as individuals and as a group, by playing the role of surrogate mother (up to the age of around 3yrs) and helping them to socialise with each other.

Andre Bauma with the two orphan mountain gorillas

The Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project (MGVP) works in cooperation with the Rwandan Tourism and National Parks Office (ORTPN), the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) in the DRC, and Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (DFGFI) and others to manage this facility. MGVP vets monitor the orphans and tend to any medical issues that may arise.

In Goma, eastern DR Congo, there are two young mountain gorilla orphans, Ndakasi and Ndeze, both female.

 

Ndakasi’s mother, was shot on June 8th, 2007 and Ndeze is the daughter of Safari, one of the 5 Rugendo gorilla family members shot dead on July 22nd, 2007. The massacre of this family was reported in many papers worldwide, a hard hitting account given in the National Geographic Magasine and described under executions.

Ndakasi at 7mths of age, Oct 2007	Ndeze, 16mths  in October 2008

These two orphans are housed in the garden of a house in Goma, rented by Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. Their full time ICCN ranger carers are led by Andre Bauma, along with Patrick Karabaranga, Richard Kambale and Alfred Ngendahimana, all of whom are supported by MGVP.

 

 

 

Richard Kambale, above, with the two orphans	Dr Eddy Kambale, one of the MGVP vets in DR Congo, undertaking a routine check

Two eastern lowland gorilla orphans are also to be found in Goma. These are Mapendo and Amani. Mapendo was confiscated by ICCN rangers along with a male, Vumilia. Unfortunately, Vumilia sadly died soon afterwards, despite best efforts to keep him alive.

	Mapendo, left, and Vumilia
Andre with Mapendo, just after she was rescued
	Mapendo, looking much happier playing on her climbing frame in Goma

In May 2009, Amani (meaning ‘peace’) was rescued by the Virunga rangers and the gorilla.cd team at Goma airport, after a 3 month undercover operation.

courtesy of gorila.cd

Amani tucking into some food– her right leg bandaged after an operation to remove the remains of what is thought to have been a bullet

 

There are also frequent reports of baby or young chimpanzees for sale.

Virunga National Park staff have also managed to rescue chimpanzees Mapima and the ‘Kivu 4’, one of which, Maiko, sadly died from severe malnutrition and the harshness of his time in captivity. All these chimpanzees have now been transferred to a chimpanzee sanctuary in Lumbumbashi called J.A.C.K.
G4G also intends to assist J.A.C.K., particularly with veterinary supplies, whenever possible. If you would specifically like to help the chimpanzees cared for at J.A.C.K. please visit their web site.

 

Thierry and Faustin with the young chimpanzees, that became known as the ‘Kivu 4’	Faustin, right, with a very relaxed Mapima

Meanwhile, all the gorillas being cared for in Rwanda and DR Congo are doing extremely well, but as they grow older year by year and mature, their housing and outdoor areas where they spend their days, may become less than optimal.

Those working on the ground, in partnership, will continue to look at alternative, appropriate facilities for both the eastern lowland and mountain gorilla orphans.

Ndeze and Ndakasi, November 2008

courtesy of gorila.cd

courtesy of gorila.cd