Mountain Gorilla Gives Birth at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

KISORO – On August 23rd, at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a significant event unfolded as Siato, an adult female from the Kyaguliro mountain gorilla group ‘B’, welcomed a healthy newborn into the world.

This joyous occasion altered the group’s composition, which now stands at 7 individuals.

Gorillas, recognized as herbivorous, predominantly ground-dwelling great apes, inhabit the lush tropical forests of equatorial Africa. The Gorilla genus branches into two distinct species: the eastern gorilla and the western gorilla, each further categorized into four or five subspecies.

Uganda, as confirmed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, proudly boasts over half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. This population is distributed across the Virunga Mountain slopes within Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

When it comes to species, Africa exclusively shelters two gorilla species: the Eastern and Western Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla). Notably, Uganda is home to a specific subspecies of the Eastern gorilla  the mountain gorilla.

This unique subspecies is exclusively found within the rainforests of east-central Africa and thrives at elevations ranging from 8,000 to 13,000 feet above sea level.

Recent records, dating back to 2018, reveal a global mountain gorilla population of slightly over 1,000 individuals. Among them, a portion resides in the Virunga Mountains’ rainforests in central Africa, while nearly half inhabit the montane jungle floors of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Delving into their habitat, mountain gorillas inhabit only two isolated regions in east-central Africa. One enclave exists within the Virunga Volcanoes, spanning forest reserves in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The other resides within the remote confines of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, stretching towards Sarambwe Nature Reserve in the DRC. These gentle giants exclusively inhabit high-altitude montane and bamboo forests, situated at elevations between 8,000 and 13,000 feet, all while being encircled by human settlements and agricultural activities.

Transitioning to reproductive matters, female gorillas attain fertility around the age of eight and usually give birth to their first offspring at the age of ten. Typically, these births occur during nighttime hours. The gestation period for gorillas lasts approximately 8.5 months, during which it’s challenging to discern pregnancy due to the naturally large size of their stomachs. However, some pregnant females may temporarily exhibit swollen knuckles.

Female gorillas undergo a gestation period of 8.5 months and dedicate several years to nurturing their young. In general, these females give birth to a single baby every four to six years.

As for the duration of pregnancy among apes, they undergo birth roughly every three to four years, with a gestation period of 8 months.

Regarding the birthing process, gorillas usually complete childbirth in less than half an hour after a pregnancy that averages 257 days (in comparison, humans gestate for 265 days).

The mother gorilla does not seem to experience intense pain during this process, although more complicated births can extend up to three days.

It’s interesting to note that gorillas, like many other species, engage in sexual activity for pleasure. Female gorillas have been observed partaking in same-sex encounters when rejected by males. Scientists have documented instances of female gorillas displaying affectionate behaviors, such as climbing on top of each other and engaging in belly and genital interactions.