Gorillas sometimes go missing. They may have been lured away by an unhabituated family. Or they may have been caught up in an interaction and simply got lost. We continue to look for all missing gorillas, constantly keeping an eye out in case, just by chance, we happen to see them again. Mountain Gorillas can
Rugendo Family Found
We have some excellent news. We have finally seen the Rugendo Family, our most habituated group of gorillas in Congo, but also the most traumatized after the July 2007 massacre. I am extremely happy to report that the family now numbers 9 individuals – up from 5. The family still has the same 5 individuals
Karateka the Solitary Gorilla of Virunga Park
Karateka is a very calm Silverback. He’s also very distinctive and not just because of his noseprint. His left ear is torn and the third finger of his right hand is partly missing. This last injury was sustained during the late 1980s when he caught his finger in a metal snare – the lack of
Emmanuel Working to re-establish a Ranger Presence in Virunga
Emmanuel is currently at Rumangabo with Pierre, Eddy and Brent Stirton, the photographer who took the pictures of the July 2007 massacre. He is at the park HQ working to find a way for the Rangers to get back into the park. The Rangers are desperate to get back to work and protect the flora
Lesenjina Gorilla Still Missing in Virunga Park
MISSING SINCE JUNE 2007 Lesenjina was the name of the first female Environment Minister in our country during the Mobutu era. Lesenjina was actually quite an aggressive gorilla – when we tried to get close she would grunt as if you show her disapproval. Same would happen if we approached any of her children. Lesenjina
Gasusa Gorilla Still Missing Gorillas
Gasusa is a good playmate and fools around with pretty much everyone. He rolls around in the undergrowth for hours on end with other gorillas. Gasusa’s lost all the toes on his right foot when he was caught in a trap at the end of 2005. It all happened very quickly. I was on patrol