Twin Mountain Gorillas Born in DR Congo’s Virunga National Park

A rare pair of twin mountain gorillas has been born at Virunga National Park in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marking a major milestone for the conservation of this endangered subspecies.

About Virunga National Park

• Located in a conflict-prone region of eastern DRC
• Africa’s oldest and largest national park, established about 100 years ago
• Created primarily to protect mountain gorillas
• Fewer than 1,100 mountain gorillas remain in the wild globally

Rarity of Twin Births
Twin births among mountain gorillas are extremely uncommon, accounting for around 1% of all mountain gorilla births, though precise data is limited.

• The last recorded twin birth in Virunga occurred in September 2020

Habitat and Distribution
According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), mountain gorillas are found only in:

• Virunga National Park (DRC)
• National parks across the border in Rwanda and Uganda

The IUCN monitors their conservation status through its Red List of Threatened Species.

About the Mountain Gorilla

• One of the two subspecies of the eastern gorilla
• Among the largest living primates in the world
• Distinct physical traits include:
  • Muscular arms and massive chest
  • Broad hands and feet
  • Longer hair and shorter arms compared to lowland gorillas