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Rare Birth of Twin Mountain Gorillas at Virunga National Park
On 3rd January 2026, community trackers responsible for monitoring the health of the mountain gorilla population at Virunga National Park discovered the birth of twins within the Bageni family of mountain gorillas. Following further investigation, it was confirmed that the twins had been born to adult female Mafuko, and that the two newborns are male. Both appeared to be in healthy condition at the time of the observation.
This birth of twins constitutes the first birth recorded in 2026 at the Park. It increases the Bageni family to 59 individuals, the largest in the Park. Twin births among mountain gorillas are rare and present additional challenges, particularly during the early months when infants are entirely dependent on their mother for care and transport. Following the birth, additional monitoring and protection measures will be deployed to closely observe the twins and support their health and survival during this critical early period.
Mafuko was born into the Kabirizi family on May 23, 2003. Following the assassination of her mother by armed individuals on June 8, 2007, she stayed with the Kabirizi family alongside her sister Tumaini. In January 2013, during the split of the Kabirizi family, Mafuko joined the Bageni family. Three years later, her sister Tumaini joined her in the Bageni family after an interaction between the groups. At the age of 22, Mafuko has given birth to a total of seven newborns, including a set of twins in 2016. Unfortunately those twins passed away a week after birth.
The birth of these twins represents a major event for the dynamics of the Bageni family and for ongoing conservation efforts to support the continued growth of the endangered mountain gorilla population within Virunga National Park.
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.
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