The new year kicked off with great energy for Musilikale’s group, one of the thriving mountain gorilla groups monitored by the Fossey Fund every day in Rwanda. Last month we celebrated the addition of two new infants in the group, with Izihirwa’s infant born on Jan. 8 and Ubufatanye’s on Jan. 16. Then, on Feb. 10, Rugira gave birth to the group’s third infant of the year, bringing the group’s total to 26 members – its largest size yet.
Musilikale’s group was formed in April 2013, splitting off from the historic Pablo group. Since then, it has continued to grow as more females joined and new infants were born. Mothers Izihirwa, now 19, and Ubufatanye, 21, transferred in from neighboring groups as young adults and have become integral to the group’s expansion, each giving birth to multiple offspring.
Izihirwa’s first infant was born in 2013, and Ubufatanye welcomed her first in 2014. Both females have continued to thrive as mothers, with Ubufatanye now raising her fifth infant in the group and Izihirwa now raising her third.
Izihirwa resting with her infant. Photo by Josue Nsengiyumva.
Sadly, Ubufatanye experienced the loss of one of her earlier infants, in 2020, at just a few months old. However, she showed remarkable resilience, continuing to raise her remaining offspring and recently welcoming a new infant. Her close-knit family includes three daughters who are often by her side, especially now, as they show great affection for their newest sibling. Among them, Indangagaciro, who is just 3 years old, stays particularly close to her mother and the newborn.
Mother Izihirwa also experienced the loss of an infant in recent years. Her oldest daughter, Umwiza, will turn 10 this year, reaching an age where she might soon start her own reproductive journey, so mother and daughter could be raising infants at the same time, which will be a fascinating dynamic to observe. Izihirwa’s other offspring – 3-year-old Kwanda – is also still very close to his mother, and now to the newborn sibling as well.
Mother Rugira is almost 17 years old. Her older daughter, Urungano, also lives in the group. Sadly, Rugira lost two previous infants, but we have high hopes for this new one. Like Ubufatanye and Izihirwa, she joined Musilikale’s group as a young female in 2015 and gave birth to her first offspring there.
Rugira’s new infant, born earlier this month.
Group support, security and fun
With so many gorillas in Musilikale’s group, support is never far away. Experienced females like Isaro, Muntu and Bukima play an important role, serving as key figures within the group. The nine adult females and three subadult females have formed a strong bond, creating a supportive alliance. The presence of three large males also adds a sense of security, keeping the group relaxed and active.
The group is also especially lively thanks to its seven playful infants. Young Kwanda and Indangagaciro are often at the center of the action, joined by the other youngsters in constant play.
With such energetic infants, managing their safety and well-being is no small task. The mothers rely on the collective support of the entire group to keep their young ones safe, while the infants are at the heart of the group’s vibrant play.
Staying warm, too
The Musilikale group is known for ranging in the high elevations of the Karisimbi volcano, where temperatures often drop significantly. The infants keep warm by staying active, and when they rest, they seek comfort by cuddling with their mothers.
Recently, the group has been ranging in an area that is hard for our trackers to access, making it difficult to get clear photos of the newborns or to confirm their genders. However, we know the infants are thriving and feeding regularly, and we look forward to seeing them more closely soon.
Awaiting more additions
Musilikale, the dominant silverback, is always surrounded by his playful youngsters. With five more females now of reproductive age, 2025 holds the potential for even more exciting additions to the group. As always, we eagerly anticipate the next chapter in this thriving gorilla group’s journey.
This article is part of a series presented by the Fossey Fund’s gorilla program Senior Advisor Veronica Vecellio, focusing on the mountain gorillas the Fossey Fund protects and studies every day in Rwanda. Veronica has worked with these gorilla families for 20 years and shares her deep knowledge and insights about their lives.
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