The Bageni family twins reach six months of age: a historic milestone for Virunga National Park

The Bageni family twins reach six months of age:
a historic milestone for Virunga National Park

The Bageni family twins have reached six months of age, a milestone never before achieved by mountain gorilla twins in Virunga National Park.

This exceptional outcome is the result of the combined efforts of all the teams involved in their protection, with particular recognition owed to the enhanced monitoring team deployed during the twins’ first four months of life. Through its daily presence, this team maintained close observation of the mother and her two infants throughout the most critical period, helping to maximize their chances of survival.

The enhanced monitoring team no longer remains near the group throughout the day as it did during the first months. Still, daily monitoring continues, ensuring the mother and her two infants are observed at every visit and that their health and behaviour remain normal.

Both infants, Uzima and Urithi, are doing well and developing normally. At this age, they are gradually gaining independence. They now make short excursions around their mother to explore their surroundings, familiarize themselves with other members of the group, and discover the surrounding vegetation. They are frequently observed handling plants and bringing them to their mouths, a behaviour characteristic of this stage of development. Their lower incisors have already come in, and in the coming months they will progressively begin consuming more vegetation while continuing to nurse.

Their mother, Mafuko, remains especially protective and vigilant, watching over her two infants constantly and limiting their movements whenever she senses potential danger. This is likely influenced by her own experience of losing her first set of twins in 2016, just a week after their birth.

While the first six months mark a major and deeply encouraging milestone, the young gorillas remain in a critical stage of development. Field teams will continue their daily monitoring to support their growth and document this remarkable story — a true symbol of hope for mountain gorilla conservation.

The continued protection and conservation of mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park are made possible thanks to the support of the European Union and UNESCO.