The Kyagurilo Gorilla family currently consists of 15 members, including individuals such as Rukara, Happy, Korubaro, Kabandize, Tindamanyure, Kengogwe, Mazoora, Nunaba, and Bjurizi.
The group is one of the five gorilla families found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, specifically in the Ruhija sector, located in the southwestern part of Uganda.
The Kyagurilo Gorilla family was first habituated in 1995, but due to the lack of available permits (which were initially set aside for research by the Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology), no tourists visited this group at that time.
The family was first led by a great and mighty silverback, Rukina, who unfortunately died after being struck by lightning on 7th April 2015.
Following Rukina’s death, Rukara took over leadership. However, the family became vulnerable to external attacks, leading to its split into two groups: Kyagurilo A, led by Rukara, and Kyagurilo B, led by Mugazi.
Occasionally, these split groups are seen spending time together, and it is speculated that they might reunite, as they live near each other and maintain a friendly relationship.
It is worth noting that the Kyagurilo Gorilla Group has not been visited by tourists to this day, as it was officially reserved for research purposes to further study mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and to identify their unique differences compared to those in the Virunga Conservation Area.
The Kyagurilo Gorilla family also has a rich history linked to its first leader, Zeus, a dominant silverback who died in exile after Rukina’s takeover.
This group is also known for spending almost all of its time deep in the forest and rarely coming close to the forest peripheries.
Some of the Activities Gorillas Engage In
- Feeding
- Foraging
- Playing
- Resting
- Humming or singing when happy
By and large, the Kyagurilo Gorilla family has provided a valuable opportunity for humans to scientifically study the behavior and development of mountain gorillas in Uganda, contributing to the advancement of conservation and protective measures for these magnificent creatures.
