Kinshasa, July 1st, 2025 (CPA). – The social integration of four female gorillas recently reintroduced to Mount Tshiaberimu, in Nord-Kivu, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been praised by conservation specialists from the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN), on the Virunga National Park’s X account, consult on Tuesday by CPA. ‘The silverback gorilla Mwasa, leader of the Kipura group, showed a very favourable attitude towards these female gorillas from the moment they arrived. He has approached them, adopted the typical behaviour of a dominant male, and the females responded positively. Since their release, they have been integrated into the Kipura group,’ it is read.
According to the report from this nature reserve, the four females, who had been housed for several months in a reintroduction centre, had been prepared for life in the wild through rigorous ethological and health monitoring. The behaviour observed in Mwasa, including pounding the ground, powerful vocalisations and night-time vigilance near the enclosure, was seen as an encouraging indicator of social acceptance. In return, the females slept near the fence, showing a desire to get closer. Since their reintroduction at the end of November 2024, the source continued, specialists have confirmed their attachment to Mwasa’s group, which is a major success for the wild population reinforcement programme.
Mount Tshiaberimu, located in the north of Virunga National Park, is home to a small population of Grauer’s gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri), an endemic and critically endangered subspecies. The silverback Mwasa, identified in 2010 and becoming dominant in 2017, is now a central figure in this population. His ability to unite a stable group is crucial for the reproductive dynamics and survival of the species in this isolated area. According to experts, gorilla social structures are complex and evolving. It is possible that some females will eventually join the group of Kastabara, another silverback established in the region. This successful integration is part of a broader conservation strategy combining scientific monitoring, community involvement and ecological recovery in the forests of Mount Tshiaberimu. It gives hope to defenders of Congolese biodiversity in the face of persistent pressures in the east of the country. CPA/