Born Free Foundation - Keep Wildlife in the Wild

Mugaruka and Chimanuka are magnificent silverback gorillas.  They live in the mountain rainforests of Kahuzi-Biega National Park in a country called the Democratic Republic in central Africa.  Sadly only around 3,000 Eastern Lowland gorillas remain - they are under terrible threat from poachers. 

Gorillas live in loving family groups and are gentle, clever vegetarians.  The families are led and defended by silverback males.  Powerful Chimanuka is the leader of a big group which has 17 adult females and 12 youngsters.  Close by lives Mugaruka, who is also a silverback but currently lives on his own.

Mugaruka has had a tough life.  When he was young he caught his hand in a poacher’s wire trap and lost all his fingers.  Then his father and elder brother were killed by poachers and he had to look after the family.  Unfortunately his troubles were not over and in 2002 Chimanuka took over most of Mugaruka’s family.  Although this was tough on Mugaruka this is natural behaviour for gorillas.  Born Free is doing everything we can to keep these gentle giants safe from poachers in their jungle home.