The tragic loss of Kyaguriro gorilla Rukina in the Ruhija area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was revealed yesterday by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. After conducting a post-mortem, the executive director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority notified the public that lightning and thunder are thought to have been the causes of death. Because of this, it may be concluded that the mountain gorilla population has declined when the recent births are disregarded.

Until the Uganda Wildlife Authority decided to open the Kyaguriro gorilla family, which is located in the Ruhija region of Eastern Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, for gorilla trekking early this year, it was only one of three gorilla families available for trekking; the others are Bitukura and Oruzogo.

If you’re interested in following the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you may do so every day with one of twenty-four gorilla permits offered by this area. Customers interested in seeing Ruhija gorillas may choose between lodging in the Buhoma area in the north or in Kabale town, so they can easily reach all three regions.

Three great silverbacks have died off in Uganda in the last year. One of them was Ruhondeza, the head silverback of the Mubare gorilla group and the first family to become accustomed to tracking in 1993. After that, the head of the Rushegura gorilla family in the Buhoma area, north of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mwirima silverback, passed away. Rushegura has not encountered any silverbacks so far.