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The survivors of the massacre of 2007 are yet to change their ways despite a change of leader. The once solitary Silverback Bukima has been in charge for two years but the family is yet to recover from the massacre or to find its equilibrium.

Bukima

There was the short period of co-direction with Pili-Pili, who was forced to leave the group and flee with the sub-adult female Bavukahe. And before that the Black back Mukunda led the group and, for a time, tried to defend it from the would-be kings Pili-Pili and Bukima. Sadly for Mukunda it wasn’t to be, and he left the group for the solitary life. The cloud of Mukunda’s departure had its silver lining: Bukima was free to impose himself upon the rest of the group, and life became a lot more peaceful.

The exceptions to his rule are Baseka and Kongomani the two young people Black backs who seem to have inherited their dead parents’ habit of ranging around the forests near Bikenge and Bukima and raiding the farmers’ fields. For now at least Bukima, who has never been known to leave the park himself, seems to be tolerating these nocturnal sorties. But Bukima dealt with Pili-pili and Mukunda, and we hope for everyone’s sake, that he will make these two Black backs see sense.

Baseka, Kongomani and Noel in the farmers’ wheat field.

THE THREE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE GORILLA MASSACRE: CONGOLESE RANGERS COMMEMORATE THE TRAGEDY

On the morning of 22 July 2007, Rangers in Virunga National Park found the bodies of four mountain gorillas. They had been murdered by gunmen; shot at point blank range in the manner of an execution. The remains of another gorilla from the same family were found three weeks later. Her infant was missing, presumed dead. Images of the tragedy were broadcast across the globe, bringing attention to the threats facing this critically endangered species.

The events of that day were described in detail on our blog at the time (click here to read)

War evicted the Rangers from the park soon after the massacre. When they returned they tracked and monitored what was left of the brutalized Rugendo Family, and all the other Mountain Gorilla Families, every single day, witnessing births, deaths and violent interactions.

Now, three years on the Gorilla Sector is demilitarized and under control, and the Congolese Wildlife Authority is in the process of reorganizing the park so that there will never be another day like 22 July 2007, and that the Rugendo Family along with all Virunga’s other Mountain Gorillas, will have a future.

The victims of the massacre are buried in the Gorilla Cemetery near Rumangabo Station. Their graves are not the only reminders we have of these wonderful animals. We have their descendants. Machibiri left us Jeshi - now a Blackback in the Kabirizi Family - and Kamyalire, who moved to the Humba Family some months ago.Neza gave us Bilali and Noel. Bilali is now a mother herself and lives with her baby Kakule, in the Munyaga Family. And Noel, who is still with the Rugendo Family, is doing well. Nsekuye left us Janja, Kayenga, Ruzuzi and Ndakasi. Janja, and Kayenga are in the Kabirizi Family; Ruzuzi is now a Sub-adult; and Ndakasi, having spent two years in Goma, now lives at the Senkwekwe Centre. Safari left behind Kongomani, Bavukahe and Ndeze. Kongomani, who is now a Sub-adult, is still in the Rugendo Family; Bavukahe traveled east with the Silverback Pili-Pili; and Ndeze lives with Ndakasi at the Senkwekwe Centre.

As we remember the Gorillas who died in 2007, we ask you to help us to protect their offspring, along with Virunga’s other Gorilla Families, by signing up to the programs that we’ve set up here on the website, such as Guard a Gorilla or Protect the Park. Please visit the page Why We Need Help, to see all the ways that you can donate.

Almost 3 years after the brutal July 2007 Gorilla Massacre, the leadership of the Rugendo Family has been assured by Bukima, an 18-year old Silverback, son of Ndungutse.

Bukima used to be in the Munyaga Family - but he left that group in 2007 to become a Solitary, before joining up with the Rugendo family some time in 2008. One of his brothers is Karateka, a Solitary, and another was Buhanga, who recently died.

Noel - one of the massacre survivors; he was found with a gash on his hand. I am pleased to report that he is feisty and growing by the day!

The family has 5 individuals - Bukima, Noel, Kongomani, Baseka and Lubutu - the only female. I feel confident that now that the family is established, we will soon see another little gorilla running around!

Are you Guarding a Gorilla? For just $10/month you can Guard a Gorilla - any one of the 80+ gorillas in our park. You will receive a unique certificate with a photo of the gorilla (more coming on that soon).

The Mapuwa Family have split after nine months of acrimonious cohabitation.
The family had been led by the Silverbacks, Mapuwa and Nvuyekure, since December 29 2008.

Mapuwa

Nvuyekure

There were the four adult females: Jicho, Kagofero, Kanepo and Bitangi.

There were also two sub-adults: Mambo and Bikenge, two juveniles: Gourba and Sebagabo and finally four babies: Subutimbiri, Dunia, Wathaut and Buzara.

The two Silverbacks were interacting violently every day; trying to establish a functional hierarchy.  Last week, following a particularly unpleasant fight, the group split in two. Seven family members are with Nvuyekure: three adult females and four other individuals. The remaining seven are with Mapuwa: these are one adult female and six others.

It will be interesting to see how these two families fair in the coming days and weeks.

Here is an sneak preview of the upcoming documentary “Return to Virunga: The Battle to Save the Mountain Gorillas” by Stefan Lovgren about the Rangers’ return to the gorilla sector of Virunga National Park 9 months ago:

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The full-length film has not yet been released and I will let you know when and where it does. After this taster, I certainly look forward to seeing it!

Last week I got word from the Bikenge patrol post that the Rugendo group had split up into two. The Rangers said that the silverback Pili-Pili and a juvenile had left the other gorillas and traveled far into the bamboo forests near the Rwandan border towards Jomba.

More than 6 hours walk away from them the silverback Bukima and other members of the group had remained near the edge of the park and were as usual making forays into neighbouring fields to eat crops.

A week passed and the gorillas still did not rejoin each other, but we had no confirmation of exactly which juvenile had followed Pili-Pili. So this morning I went to see and identify the gorillas with Bukima to discover who else missing.

Only an hour after leaving we found Bukima in the forest together with adult female Lubutu, blackbacks Mukunda, Kongomani, and Baseka, and a juvenile which turned out to be Noel.

By elimination that means that it is in fact the juvenile female Bavukahe which has followed Pili-Pili and split from the rest of the group. This development follows closely behind the death of Bariyanga and is the latest in a series of changes in the group’s dynamics since it was turned upside-down by the tragic massacre two years ago.

Teams of Rangers are now tracking the two groups separately and we will be keeping a close eye to see if this split becomes permanent…

Bukima is a powerful silverback

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GORILLA MASSACRE ANNIVERSARY: CONGOLESE RANGERS COMMEMORATE 2 YEARS SINCE TRAGEDY AND LAUNCH APPEAL

On the morning of 22 July 2007, Rangers in Virunga National Park found the bodies of 4 mountain gorillas killed in an execution style attack. The remains of another gorilla in the group were found 3 weeks later, with her infant missing, presumed dead. The images of the tragedy were broadcast across the globe and brought attention to the threats facing this critically endangered species.

The events of that day were described in detail on our blog at the time (click here to read)

Read the full story »

Details from Bariyanga’s death are now emerging- these photos were taken at the scene:

Bariyanga was found lying on his side surrounded by broken branches

Read the full story »

Bad news have just come from the Bikenge Patrol Post informing us that the mountain gorilla Bariyanga from the Rugendo Group has been found dead in the forest.

The circumstances of the death are not yet clear, but MGVP veterinarians are performing the post-mortem this morning. I’ll post more info and pictures as soon I get them.

Bariyanga, pictured on 10 February 2009 in a maize field.

Over the past couple days the Rugendo group has moved south towards the Bukima patrol post. They have stayed on the edge of the park and are continuing to make forays into neighbouring crops to eat maize and sorghum wheat. Thankfully members of the HuGo association are present keep an eye on them.

Sorghum destroyed by the gorillas yesterday

The group moved through Area 1 of our Protect the Park map, given safe passage thanks to our friend Faye’s sponsorship. Thank you Faye! However, when we saw them yesterday they were in Area 2, which is currently not sponsored, as are nearby Areas 3, 9, and 10.

I urge you to please adopt these areas to help us check that this part of the forest is free of snares and thus ensure the Rugendo group’s safety.

Baseka strikes a pose

Who me? Cheeky Noel looking innocent as ever