Mountain gorilla baby born.

It has been announced that a Mountain Gorilla was born on Saturday 17th February to the Rugendo family near Bikenge. The Rugendo family (The families are named after the Silverback) had 11 individuals, and now has 12! This is really fantastic news after all the stress the Gorillas have been under in this area following the rebel attacks last year.

 

During the first 8-10 weeks the baby will be kept inside the family circle with the mother, while Rugendo patrols and defends his newborn. The sex of the newborn is not yet known.

The newborn has been named Ndeze (pronounced Deze), after a local tribal chief who died just two days before the birth. These photos were taken when Ndeze was just 4 days old.

Mother and baby are doing well, and are being protected by the Silverback Rugendo. The mother, Safari, is being very closely guarded by Rugendo.

And more great news on the horizon, Mburanumwe of the same family is also pregnant and due to give birth soon!

Read more about the Congo Rangers and their struggle to protect the wildlife of Central Africa.