22-year old Mafuko, a mother gorilla gave birth to twin mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo.
On 3rd January 2026, a birth of twins was discovered by the community trackers responsible for monitoring the health of mountain gorilla population in Virunga National Park. This rare occurrence in mountain gorillas was discovered within the Bageni Family, a habituated gorilla family in the park to Mafuko, a 22 year old female gorilla. The two twin newborns are male and they appeared to be in healthy condition at the time of the observation.
The birth of the twin males marked the first recorded births of 2026 in Virunga National Park and one of the rarest reproductive events for species like mountain gorillas that are still fighting for survival. The arrival of the twin males to the Bageni Family raised the family’s number to 59 members, making it the largest mountain gorilla family/group in the park currently.
Reproduction in Mountain gorillas in slow, with females carrying their young for nearly nine months and typically giving birth only several years. The stability and size of the group plays an important role in the survival of the infant and long-term population growth. The birth of twins are however demanding. After a long pregnancy, newborn gorillas entirely rely on their mother for nursing, warmth and transport, remaining in near-constant physical contact during their first months of life. Carrying a single infant already requires substantial energy, supporting two infants while continuing to forage and keep pace with a mobile group can severely strain a mother’s strength and nutritional reserves.
Recognized the risk, the conservation teams in Virunga National Park have intensified monitoring of the Bageni Family during this critical early period.
Mafuko – The Mother of the Twin Gorilla Males
The mother of twins “Mafuko” was born in 2003 into the Kabirizi Group. Her mother was killed by armed individuals which disrupted her life, after this tragic occurrence – Mafuko remained with her family alongside her sister before joining the Bageni group in 2013 later at the age of 10.
Now 22 years old, Mafuko is an experienced month, having given birth seven times including a previous set of twins born in 2016. Unfortunately they lived for a few days and died, this is a reminder of how narrow the margin of success can be in twin gorilla births. According to early observations, the newly born twins are healthy, but their survival will depend on maternal endurance, group stability, and uninterrupted protection during the months ahead.
According to the Virunga Park Conservationists, Mafuko has had a remarkable history of survival, and to ensure the survival of twins during this critical period, the park authorities have been put in place. Ranger would closely observe the young family and provide support if needed.
Why are Gorilla Twins such as Big Deal?
To understand why experts are so excited about the news of twin gorillas, you must first understanding just how very slow these animals reproduce. Says Stoinski – a wildlife photographer who has captured and created some of the world’s most recognized images of mountain gorillas for National Geographic.
“Female gorillas won’t have their first baby until about 10 years of age”, she adds on. “And females generally give birth about every four years”.
This slow reproduction rate limits how quickly the population can respond to threat. And just like with humans, baby gorillas require tons of parental care. Stoinski says “one of the things people love about gorillas is how much like us they are, and how they can see ourselves reflected in them.” “Females gorillas are amazing moms, and the infants are totally dependent on them.
The birth of these twins represents a major event for the dynamics of the Bageni family and for ongoing conservation efforts to support the continued growth of the endangered mountain gorilla population within Virunga National Park.
