A Rare Birth in the Democratic Republic of Congo

A national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is celebrating the birth of one of the world’s most endangered species, the eastern lowland gorilla.

The eastern lowland gorilla, also referred to as Grauer’s gorilla, is the largest of the four gorilla subspecies. Its stocky body, large hands, and short muzzle distinguish it from other gorillas. And it’s made its home in the lowland tropical rainforests of eastern DRC.

Years of civil unrest, poaching, and deforestation in the DRC have taken their toll on eastern lowland gorillas, dropping their numbers from 17,000 in the mid-1990s to less than 50% today. But things are beginning to change.

According to RFI, the Kahuzi-Biega National Park, located in the troubled eastern area of the DRC, is welcoming the birth of a baby gorilla. This birth brought the tally of Grauer’s gorillas from 171 to 172.

The park made the following announcement on their Facebook page.

We are pleased to announce the birth of a newborn baby of the female Mwinja, in Nabirembo. Indeed, the mom is part of one of the two new families being habituated. Our guards were there and captured this moment of privacy, Saturday, August 7, 2021. She looked happy to introduce her baby. Both of them are very healthy.

Mwinja has given birth to offspring before, but this is the first time she’s had one with a well-known male named Nabirembo.