In a landmark moment for gorilla conservation, four female eastern lowland gorillas—also known as Grauer’s gorillas—have been translocated to the heart of Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The highland forests of the Virunga Massif were once part of their historic range but now only a small population of eight survive, led by the silverback Mwasa, on Mount Tshiaberimu, North Kivu province. This translocation aims to strengthen the eastern gorilla population in the area.
This is the first translocation of its kind in the DRC. Led by the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education (GRACE) centre, this bold initiative marks a turning point in the fight to save Grauer’s gorillas from extinction. The four females—Mapendo, Isangi, Lulingu and Ndjingala—were all orphaned due to poaching and rescued as infants. They have spent over a decade at GRACE, where they’ve lived in a 16-hectare semi-wild forested sanctuary at Kasugho, eastern DRC, and learned vital survival skills from each other in a carefully protected environment.
The relocation to a secure and suitable release site within the greater Virunga landscape, is the result of years of collaboration between GRACE, the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN), and local communities. The area was selected not only for its safety but also for its ecological integrity.
The release, completed in October 2024, was meticulously planned. Each gorilla underwent comprehensive health checks and behavioural assessments to ensure they were fit for life in the wild. Intially they lived in a special fenced enclosure but the gorilla monitoring team decided that after only two months they were ready to be set free.
Mwasa, the silverback from the Mount Tshiaberimu gorilla group was a regular visitor to the fenced enclosure, helping to aid quick integration in the Mount Tshiaberimu family. The group has been monitored closely by trackers and conservationists, with initial signs indicating a very smooth transition. They seem in the peak of health, with the females each mating with the silverback in the New Year, so fingers are firmly crossed for baby gorillas come September.
Grauer’s gorillas are the largest subspecies of gorilla and are found only in eastern DRC. Their population has declined by more than 80% in the past few decades due to habitat destruction, poaching, and conflict. Fewer than 7,000 are believed to remain in the wild today.
This reintroduction is not only a conservation milestone but a powerful symbol of hope. It demonstrates the potential for rewilding even the most threatened great apes when conservation is driven by science, local partnership, and long-term commitment.
We celebrate this groundbreaking effort. It’s a reminder of the importance of protecting intact forest ecosystems and supporting local initiatives that put the welfare of wildlife and communities at their core. Conservation efforts have been rewarded too – mountain gorilla numbers have risen to over 1000, with a third of these living in the Virunga National Park.
Why It Matters:
- Grauer’s gorillas are a flagship species for the Congo Basin’s biodiversity.
- Their return to Virunga could lay the groundwork for further reintroductions in the future.
- This project supports the DRC’s broader strategy to restore its great ape populations while empowering local communities to be stewards of conservation.
We’ll be watching the progress of these four pioneering females closely—and cheering on the GRACE team as they continue their remarkable work.
Image: GRACE
