As the world is under lockdown and tourism industry under a hiatus, Uganda has welcomed two new baby gorillas at the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the southwest region of the country.

The two babies were born in the Muyambi and Nshongi gorilla groups.

The infant gorillas thought to have been born on April 25 and May 1, have caused excitement in both families and among conservationists.

Mother Kabagyenyi and Silverback Bweza and Nshongi are tightly guarding the baby gorilla while in Muyambi group, silverback Muyambi and unnamed mother are soothing and warming their new family member according to a statement by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA)

The sexes of both baby gorillas are not yet known due to the tight security mounted by the parents to guard them against any danger.

Nshongi was the first gorilla group to be habituated in Rushaga with at least 35 individuals that kept on splitting. Currently, the group has nine individuals and the infant brings the number to 10.

Kabagyenyi joined the Nshongi from a wild group when she was a sub adult. Later, the Silver Back called Bweza who is the head of Nshongi group started mating with her. There she is with the young. She is estimated to be around 10 years and this is her first born. 

Muyambi group on the other hand is the newest group that opened to tourism in 2019. It has six family members. The unnamed mother joined the group from the wild. Muyambi was an adult member of Mubare family but split away from the family and formed other group called Muyambi.  

“The birth of new mountain gorillas is testimony to Uganda’s successful conservation efforts. With enhanced integrity of protected areas there has been a general increase in wildlife populations in Uganda,” UWA said.

The recently concluded census for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park indicates that the park had 459 individuals.