In a remarkable event offering hope amidst ongoing conflict, Virunga National Park in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has welcomed the birth of rare mountain gorilla twins. The endangered mother gorilla, Mafuko, gave birth to twin males in the UNESCO World Heritage site, which has long faced security challenges from armed groups operating in the region.
Scientific data indicates that twin births occur in fewer than one percent of mountain gorilla pregnancies, making this event exceptionally rare. This represents only the second documented case of gorilla twins in Congo, with the previous occurrence also recorded within Virunga’s boundaries in 2020.
Park officials confirmed that trackers first observed the newborns on Saturday, immediately implementing specialized monitoring and protection protocols to enhance the infants’ survival prospects. Methode Uhoze, a park representative, provided confirmation of the twin birth to AFP on Thursday.
The Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature, which oversees the country’s national parks, celebrated the birth as a triumph of life despite significant challenges. The institution shared an image on social media showing mother Mafuko cradling her two tiny offspring.
Established in 1925 as Africa’s oldest nature reserve, Virunga National Park spans 7,800 square kilometers near Congo’s borders with Rwanda and Uganda. This biodiverse region currently faces substantial security threats, including territory controlled by the Rwanda-backed M23 militia, which has expanded its influence in recent months. Additionally, forests within the park are believed to serve as hideouts for the Islamic State-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces.
With approximately 1,000 mountain gorillas remaining in the wild, conservation efforts take on critical importance. Virunga’s authorities reported hosting 350 of these great apes in 2021, with eight other mountain gorilla births recorded in the park during 2025, according to park spokesman Bienvenu Bwende.