The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) the body that manages Uganda national parks and conservation areas last week confirmed the birth of a baby mountain gorilla in Bwindi impenetrable national park in the Rushaga sector. This has increased the number of individuals in the Nshongi gorilla family from 12 to 13. The mother of the new baby is Kebirungi and the father is Bweza. Both Kebirungi and her baby have been reported to be in a good health condition.
The adult female gorilla (kebirungi) of the Nshongi family was seen with her newborn baby on May 9, 2022. This has increased the number of mountain gorillas in Uganda and as a result, it can elevate gorilla tracking in Bwindi national park as far as tourism in Uganda Is concerned.
The Bwindi impenetrable national park is found in the southwestern part of Uganda, it’s under the world heritage site and is the habitat of more than half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas, and actually, over 400 mountain gorillas live in Bwindi impenetrable forest. In addition to the endangered impressive mountain gorillas, there are other wildlife attractions such as 346 species of birds, 120 animal species, more than 200 species of butterflies, and 324 tree species of which 10 species are endemic to this forest in the whole of Uganda. The park is established on 321 s.km and it borders the Albertine rift valley edge.
The main tourist attraction in Bwindi national park is gorilla tracking together with gorilla habituation, it generates much revenue for Uganda Wildlife Authority and boosts the development of Bwindi national park and the surrounding community. Tourists wishing to track gorillas are advised to first obtain a gorilla permit early enough to avoid disappointment. There are only three countries in Africa where endangered mountain gorillas can be visited that is Uganda (Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park), Rwanda (volcanoes national park), and D R Congo (Virunga national park)
There are more than 30 gorilla families in Bwindi national park that are ready for tracking and over 13 habituated families such as Mubare Gorilla Family – Buhoma, Habinyanja Gorilla Family – Buhoma (Bwindi), Rushegura Gorilla Family – Buhoma, Bitukura Gorilla Family- Ruhija, Oruzogo Gorilla Family – Ruhija, Nkuringo Gorilla Family – Nkuringo, Nshongi Gorilla Family – Rushaga, Mishaya Gorilla Family – Rushaga, Kahungye Gorilla Family – Rushaga, Bweza Gorilla Family- Rushaga, Busingye Gorilla Family – Rushaga, Kyaguriro Gorilla Family – Ruhija, and many others.
The above-selected gorilla families have been habituated to human appearance, and the number of visitors attending is tightly managed to prevent gorilla threats and debasement of the natural habitats.