The name gorilla is derived from the Greek word 'Gorillai' meaning hairy women.Only 10 countries worldwide host naturally occurring gorilla populationsThe Latin name for mountain gorillas is Gorilla Gorilla BerengeiMountain gorillas are only found in three countries – Uganda, Rwanda, and DRCWorldwide population = 720: Mountain Gorillas are a critically endangered speciesOver half the world’s gorilla population is in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in UgandaMountain gorillas are not known to survive outside their natural habitatLike humans, mountain gorillas have individual finger printsThe DNA of gorillas is 98%–99% identical to that of a humanFemales conceive at around 8-9 years with their first being born before age 10Gorillas consider ants a delicacyGorillas live in tight knit social unitsA silverback is a mature adult male gorillaA silverback can weigh up to 120Kgs (260lbs).On average, an adult male gorilla eats up to 25Kgs (about 54lbs) of food a day.The average weight of an adult female gorilla is 90Kgs (198lbs)Every evening, each gorilla makes a bed of leaves to sleep on for the nightGorillas never mate for leisure

Back

This mountain gorilla family was named Bitukura after a river that bears the same name. As it happens the family was first sighted in near the river which also turned out to be part of its homing range. Habituation of this group begun in July 2007 and the group was opened for tourism in October 2008. This was a relatively easy group to habituate as it had often been encountered by UWA rangers and trackers in their encounters with the Kyaguriro group and this non-threatening human contact made it easier for the group to become accustomed to human company much faster than with other gorilla groups which often take a minimum of two years to fully habituate.

The Bitukura family is peaceable, with little in way of the politics and monkeyshines prone to gorilla families. Ndahura sees to that. The Bitukura and Kyaguriro families share a close bond and are known to have, what can be described in human terms as get-togethers about once each month. The biggest mystery surrounding this peaceable family is the migration of its eldest juvenile daughter to the Kyaguriro family. Whereas it is known that on reaching adulthood, female gorillas are prone to leave the family in favour of starting a family with an eligible solitary male, or simply joining another family – like Twigukye did – she was nonetheless rather young to make the move. But she did it and a study of the family members may help give a clue to this unusual occurrence. Friend them and find out.