Conservation win as rare gorilla twins born in DR Congo reserve

In a rare and heartening development for wildlife conservation, a mountain gorilla has given birth to twins in Virunga National Park, one of Africa’s most important wildlife reserves.

The births, confirmed by park authorities, offer a moment of hope for a species that has long faced the pressures of habitat loss, poaching, and regional conflict. 

Mountain gorilla twins are exceptionally rare, occurring in less than 1% of pregnancies, scientists say.

The last known case in the Democratic Republic of Congo was in 2020, also within Virunga, a UNESCO World Heritage site that stretches across dense forests, active volcanoes, and rolling savannah. 

“The two newborns are both male,” park official Methode Uhoze told AFP, noting that the mother and her infants are in good health.

Social media posts from the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature, which oversees the country’s national parks, celebrated the births as a testament to life persevering despite challenging circumstances. 

The discovery comes as park rangers maintain round-the-clock monitoring of mountain gorilla families, ensuring the delicate infants are protected.

“Every birth is a reminder of why we work here,” Bwende, a park spokesperson, said. “These twins are a symbol of hope for the future of their species.”

Rare births signal conservation success 

The twins were first observed by trackers on Saturday, prompting immediate measures to support their survival.

Virunga is home not only to mountain gorillas but also elephants, lions, and other threatened species, making the park a critical hub for biodiversity in Central Africa.

In 2021, the reserve was home to 350 mountain gorillas, part of the roughly 1,000 individuals estimated to survive in the wild today.

Eight additional gorilla births were recorded in 2025, reflecting ongoing conservation progress.

Virunga’s struggle and significance 

Established in 1925, Virunga National Park spans 7,800 square kilometers near the borders with Rwanda and Uganda. 

The reserve faces security challenges from armed groups, including M23 and the Allied Democratic Forces, yet it remains a vital stronghold for wildlife conservation.

For decades, park staff and local communities have worked together to protect its rare species and fragile habitats, often under difficult conditions.