“Gicurasi” means May in the Kinyarwanda language of Rwanda. It is also the name given to one of the older mountain gorilla silverbacks we monitor, who was born in May 1995. That means he’s turning 30 years old this month – an age that is an important milestone for a mountain gorilla. It marks a natural reduction of physical power and generally results in a calmer phase of their life.
Born and raised in the historic Pablo gorilla group, Gicurasi represents the rich history and significant changes this group has experienced. For example, he was personally involved in two major shifts in dominance within the group. The first shift was gradual and peaceful, occurring as Gicurasi slowly assumed dominance from Cantsbee, who was the longest-serving leader ever documented among mountain gorillas. Although Gicurasi began to take over the majority of mating opportunities, Cantsbee actually remained the recognized leader of the group until his final days.
Leading silverback Gicurasi faces changes as he turns 30 this month. | Photo by: Laban Kayitete
The second shift happened quite differently, with younger silverback Ubwuzu overtaking Gicurasi more abruptly. Ubwuzu, healthier and physically stronger due to his younger age, was able to claim the dominant role and position Gicurasi in a secondary role.
While this might seem negative, the change actually appears to have been beneficial for Gicurasi. His new role is less stressful, allowing him to more easily recover his health, which had been unstable over the past year. Recently, Gicurasi has shown signs of recovery, and we hope the reduced responsibility will aid him in fully regaining his strength.
A challenging childhood
Gicurasi’s childhood was marked by significant challenges. He lost his mother, Pantsy, before he reached 4 years old. This early loss greatly impacted his life. He developed a strong bond with his father, Cantsbee, who supported him through this difficult period. Their close relationship later contributed to the smooth transition of dominance. This occurred when, toward the end of Cantsbee’s life, he disappeared from the group for several months in late 2016. In his absence, Gicurasi naturally assumed the leadership role. Remarkably, when Cantsbee reappeared, the entire group, including Gicurasi, welcomed him back as the leader without resistance. Sadly, Cantsbee disappeared permanently shortly thereafter, and was thus presumed to have died.
After his father’s death, Gicurasi faced significant responsibility as the group’s leader. Interestingly, none of the other males immediately challenged his authority, showing their respect and acceptance of his leadership. But after just two months, some individuals left, forming another group, and a year later another split significantly reduced the group’s size from 32 gorillas to 20. This reduction left Gicurasi’s role as leader more manageable, and the Pablo group faced a new era with him.
Gicurasi spent his whole life in the historic Pablo group. | Photo by: Jean-Pierre Samedi Mucyo
Adaptable, peaceful, mature
Throughout these changes, Gicurasi demonstrated exceptional adaptability and a peaceful demeanor. His willingness to accept these shifts without resistance has made him a stabilizing presence within the group. This quality is particularly valued by the females and younger gorillas, who frequently choose to rest near him. Even though he is no longer the dominant male, Gicurasi continues to hold a significant role within the group’s social structure.
Today, Gicurasi often sits close to Ubwuzu, clearly signaling his acceptance and support of the younger silverback’s leadership. His calm, mature behavior remains an important influence within the group, positively impacting its overall dynamics. Observing and documenting Gicurasi’s life continues to provide valuable insights into the complexity of gorilla group dynamics and social interactions.
The Pablo group, where Gicurasi has spent his entire life, continues to hold the record as the longest continuously studied gorilla group. Our many decades of research and observations contribute significantly to the understanding of gorilla behavior, group structures and social bonds. We remain proud to document Gicurasi’s ongoing contributions to this group’s remarkable history.
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 more than 20 years and shares her deep knowledge and insights about their lives.
