One of the new infants recorded in the same period (Courtesy photo)
The medical teams treating gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park are reporting what they described as a “gorilla boom” in Rwanda as more than expected number of infants is born.
Gorilla Doctors, a conservationist group, said Tuesday that it has recorded 24 gorilla infants in the past seven months alone. The news was released by the group on social media. On average, it means at least 4 gorillas were born monthly.
This could suggest that by the next gorilla-naming ceremony “Kwita Izina” in June next year, the number will be unusually higher compared to any other period. During this year’s ceremony, some 12 infants were named at the usually lavish annual event in Kinigi, near their habitat.
American Hollywood star Isaiah Washington (3rd from right) was among those who gave names to infants at the 2013 Kwita Izina (courtesy photo)
Since inception, 161 mountain gorilla infants have been named, inspired by the Rwandan naming tradition following the birth of a new baby. It estimated hundreds of gorillas are on Rwanda’s side of the massive area – some even escaping from neighbouring regions.
The gorillas have become a significant source of tourism revenue. Last year, the tourism sector generated $281.8 million compared to $251.3 million the previous year, an increase of 17%. The local people received 5% of this amount through the revenue sharing program. 40% of this went to people living around Volcanoes National Park, 30% to Akagera National Park, and 30% to Nyungwe National Park.