Silverback Bukima

Silverback Bukima

It is with deep sadness that Virunga National Park reports the death of mountain gorilla Bukima, the dominant silverback of the Rugendo troop. As a consequence of a violent clash with Kongomani, another silverback of the same troop, a couple of weeks earlier, Bukima succumbed to his injuries on Friday 21st June.

In the weeks that followed the altercation, a team of community trackers led by our Head of Gorilla Monitoring, Jacques Katutu, had intervened multiple times in an effort to treat Bukima with antibiotics and other medicines. Despite these efforts, his wounds proved too severe, and he passed away in his forest home with Jacques by his side.

Bukima was born in 1992 and, according to our oldest records, it is likely he belonged to the Ndugutse family, which was then led by silverback Buhanga.

After the death of Buhanga – killed by Kabirizi – another previously solitary silverback known as Munyaga took over leadership of the family in 1998. Several interactions between Kabirizi and Munyaga in 2005 led Bukima to leave the Ndugutse family and become solitary at the age of 13.

In the wake of the Rugendo massacre in 2008 – when armed militia slaughtered five gorillas including dominant silverback Senkwekwe – monitoring was finally able to resume after prolonged conflict in the region. During this time, Virunga’s Rangers spotted the Rugendo family with two new members: Bukima and Pilipili. These two males, being mature silverbacks and from different families, regularly fought for control of the group. In 2009, Pilipili eventually left the Rugendo family, leaving Bukima as its undisputed leader.

“In 2017, we received an emergency call from Virunga National Park when an infant mountain gorilla in the Rugendo group was caught in a snare. At the time, there were four silverbacks in the group, so I knew gaining access to the infant was going to be a challenge. We successfully anesthetized the infant, but the sound from the dart gun and the infant ‘going to sleep’ put the silverbacks on high alert. The brave Park Rangers formed a protective circle around us while we treated the infant, but there was one additional and rather unusual protector that joined the intervention team that day… silverback Bukima!

As the dominant silverback in the group, Bukima had positioned himself between us and the other silverbacks, holding them back and vocalizing to keep them calm. We reversed the anesthesia and once again Bukima kept all the gorillas at a distance with the exception of the infant’s mother, who retrieved her baby after the intervention team had moved a short distance away. It was as if Bukima knew we were there to help. In my many years of conducting interventions, I have never witnessed another silverback doing that. Bukima was a special leader, and I will miss him.” Dr. Eddy Kambale Syaluha, Gorilla Doctors, Head Veterinarian, DRC.

As of today, the Rugendo family counts 16 members, including silverbacks Kongomani and Baseka as well as the blackback Mastaki, who is about to become a silverback. Bukima’s leadership has played a crucial role in the group’s growth and long-term stability, contributing to the preservation and expansion of the family, with 12 additional members since 2009.

“Bukima’s death deeply affected me, and I’m struggling to come to terms with it. I wish he could have stayed with us and his family, but when I reflect on his achievements, it brings me comfort, and I tell myself that he can now rest in peace.” Jacques Katutu, Virunga National Park, Head of Gorilla Monitoring. 

Continuity and Evolution:
The Future Dominant Silverback of the Rugendo Troop

In the absence of silverback Bukima, the Rugendo troop now finds itself at a pivotal juncture. In mountain gorilla societies, leadership transitions are complex and influenced by a group’s members as well as solitary gorillas seeking a troop of their own. Attention now turns to Kongogami, Baseka and their interactions; Jacques Katutu, Head of Gorilla Monitoring, and Virunga community trackers, will monitor the troop’s developments, ensuring minimal disruption while respecting naturally occurring social structures. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for maintaining stability and supporting mountain gorilla conservation efforts in Virunga National Park.

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