Mountain gorilla gives birth to twins in Virunga National Park

By The Inspirer writer.

Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo has announced the birth of rare twin mountain gorillas, both male, marking an exceptional event for the critically endangered species.

In a statement posted on X, Virunga National Park said: “Virunga National Park is pleased to announce a rare and remarkable event: the birth of twin mountain gorillas in the Bageni family, observed on January 3, 2026, by community trackers.”

The park added that this was the first gorilla birth recorded in 2026 and that it increased the Bageni family’s size to 59 members, making it the largest gorilla family in the park. “Additional monitoring and protection measures have been put in place to ensure the twins’ health and safety during this critical period,” the statement said.

Mountain gorillas are found in limited numbers in only three countries—Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo—and remain critically endangered. Experts estimate that fewer than one percent of gorilla births result in twins, with most females giving birth to a single infant.

Photos released by park authorities show the mother gorilla carrying the two infants. Confirming the sexes of the newborns, Virunga National Park official Méthode Uhoze told AFP that “both infants are male.”

The twins belong to the Bageni family, the largest gorilla group in Virunga National Park, which is located in eastern DR Congo. Park authorities said enhanced surveillance and conservation measures are now in place to closely monitor the infants and support their survival.

Virunga National Park’s communications officer, Bienvenu Bwende, noted that the previous twin birth in the park was recorded in 2025.