3d • General discussion
Mountain Gorillas and New Life
There are blue balloons outside a mailbox in the forest! 💙
The Bageni family of mountain gorillas, living in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the
Congo, has welcomed twin babies. Their family now numbers 59 individuals. The twins were born to Makufu, an experienced mother welcoming her seventh and eighth babies into the world.
Twin births among mountain gorillas are rare. In the early months, infants depend entirely on their mother for warmth, transport, nourishment, and protection. Because of this, park rangers and conservation teams are increasing monitoring to quietly ensure the twins and their mother are doing well during this fragile beginning.
Mountain gorillas are a critically endangered subspecies, found only in the forests of the DRC, Uganda, and Rwanda. Not long ago, their numbers dropped to around 400. Today, through protection, community involvement, and dedicated guardianship, their population has grown to about 1,000 individuals. Every birth still matters.
Makufu herself carries a story of resilience. She was once part of the Kabirizi family, which suffered devastating losses to poaching, including the loss of her own mother. That history makes this moment feel even more tender.
Mountain gorillas are known for their intelligence and deep family bonds. They live in close knit groups led by a silverback, where cooperation, play, learning, and caregiving are shared responsibilities. They recognize individual faces and voices, grieve their dead, comfort one another, and form lifelong relationships. Young gorillas learn by watching, imitating, and staying close to those who keep them safe.
Watching a family like this grow is a reminder that protection is not just about survival. It is about giving space for connection, learning, and care to continue across generations.
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Mountain Gorillas and New Life
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