Gorilla Families in Uganda . Gorillas are apes that are also referred to as primates and are among the world’s endangered species totaling to almost only 500 primates in the world. But reports earlier this year showed the primates multiplied in numbers to 1000’s which shows a significant increase in the number of gorillas in Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park both in Uganda and Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Uganda.
Gorillas live in group called troupes or families because they’re closely related to humans and their young ones are also called Babies. DNA tests show that there’s 98% gorilla DNA strands are similar to those of the human beings and we share so many characteristics.
Gorillas live in a family that ranges from 10 to around 30 group members are always led by 1 or 2 Silverbacks; Silverbacks are giant elder male gorillas that claim dominance in the family to the young male, females and the babies.
Gorillas in Uganda are found in Bwindi impenetrable and Mgahinga national park with Bwindi impenetrable national park being with the highest number of visitors. Over 72 tourists visit the park and only allowed in the number of 8 tourists, the gorilla trekking goes for an hour per group.
Below are the 8 habituated gorilla families trekked by tourists daily in Bwindi impenetrable national park;
The Northern part of the park has some of the habituated Gorilla Families;
Bitukura Group is composed of the most recently habituated Gorilla family in Ruhija areas in the side of the park. This is one of the attractive and interesting Gorilla groups because of has got 4 silverbacks with Ndahura the second youngest as the leader of the family, These silverbacks move side to side with 2 other blackbacks of the same family. Bitukura family includes 13 family members with Ndahura the dominant silverback, Karamuzi the 2nd,Rukumu the 3rd, Rukara the 4th with Bettina, Ruhara, Kamuga the adult females in the group, Obia and Mugisha are blackbacks and Kabandize the young juvenile and Kadogo and Mubwindi both being the infants.
Oruzogo Gorilla family is composed of 16 family members only led by 1 Silverback. This family is found in Ruhija – Buhoma areas. It is also among st the recently habituated groups in Bwindi national park.
Habinyanja Gorilla family is made of 20 gorilla members with only 1 Silverback found in Buhoma areas.
Rushega Gorilla family has got 20 family members led by 1 Silverback and also found in in Buhoma areas.
Mubare is the smallest gorilla family with only 6 members under the leadership of 1 Silverback. This group is situated near the park headquarters in Buhoma.
The Southern part of the has at least the 3 big Gorilla groups as listed below;
Nshongi Gorilla family is the biggest family composed of 25 members in the family with headship of 2 Silverbacks.
Silverbacks so much protect and fight for their families than grounds and territories. This group is found in Nshongi and Rushaga.
Mishaya Gorilla family is composed of 12 family members and 1 male Silverback that left Nshongi family with 9 others in 2010 to form the Mishaya family. This family is found in Nshongi and Rushaga.
Nkuringo Gorilla family is composed of 18 family member led by 2 Silverbacks. This group is found in Nkuringo areas in the park.
Nyankagezi family is found in Mgahinga national park. This group is composed of 9 family members with 3 silverbacks. This is a migratory group which mostly crosses the borders from Uganda to Rwanda, back and forth somehow making it difficult to track.
