Rare Mountain Gorilla Twins Born in DR Congo's Virunga National Park

Virunga National Park, DR Congo - A rare birth of mountain gorilla twins occurred in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, offering a sign of hope for the endangered species. The twins were discovered on Saturday by community trackers with their 22-year-old mother, Mafuko, according to Virunga National Park officials.

The birth is particularly significant because twin births are rare among mountain gorillas, accounting for approximately 1% of all births. The population of mountain gorillas numbers just over 1,000, making every birth crucial to the species' survival. This is only the second set of twins recorded in the park since 2020.

Virunga National Park, Africa's oldest national park, is a critical habitat for mountain gorillas, which are found only in the Virunga Massif region of Central Africa. The park is located in a conflict-prone part of DR Congo, and the gorillas' habitat extends across the borders of Rwanda and Uganda.

Park staff will closely monitor Mafuko and her twins during this critical early period. According to BBC World, Mafuko had previously given birth to twins in 2016, but they did not survive. The birth underscores the importance of conservation efforts in the region.