Rare gorilla twins born in remote Congo forest

Conservationists at Virunga National Park discovered on January 3 that Mafuko, a 22-year-old mountain gorilla, had given birth to twins who appeared healthy at the time of observation.

A pair of mountain gorilla twins were discovered on January 3 in Virunga National Park in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The mother, Mafuko, is a 22-year-old female and a long-standing member of the Bageni family. Twin births among mountain gorillas are rare and attract attention because of the species' small population and the park's conservation efforts. Virunga is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has faced security and wildlife health challenges in recent years. Key facts: - The birth was observed by conservationists on January 3 and the babies were reported as appearing healthy at the time of observation. - The mother is Mafuko, aged 22, who has given birth five times and is part of the Bageni family of 59 gorillas. - Twin births are estimated to account for about 1% of mountain gorilla births. - Fewer than 1,100 mountain gorillas remain in the wild, with populations in Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda, according to the IUCN. - Virunga has faced threats including armed conflict in parts of the park and an earlier outbreak of anthrax that killed multiple large animals. Summary: The twin births are a notable development for the endangered mountain gorilla population and have prompted park rangers to place special protections around the young family. The park receives support from the EU and UNESCO for anti-poaching patrols and community programmes. Undetermined at this time.