Family Size: 16 members
Location: Buhoma, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Composition:
Silverbacks: 2
Blackbacks: 2
Adult Females: 5
Sub-adult Females: 3
Infants: 4
Juveniles: 0
Rushegura group is found in Buhoma tourism sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and is led by Silverback Kabukojo. The group was formed in February 2002 following a split of the parent group – ‘Habinyanja’. Rushegura group was named after a tree species ‘Ebishegura’ found in the area where the split occurred. Rushegura group is also known for foraging closer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s headquarters (Buhoma) and for visiting local community gardens around its home range. The group is composed of 16 individuals including 2 Silverbacks, 2 Blackbacks, 5 Adult females, 1 Sub-adult female, 2 Sub-adult males and 4 Infants.
The breakaway was led by Mwirima, a robust and powerful silverback with a strong desire to establish his own family. He took seven members with him, leaving behind his brother, Rwansigazi, who was known for leading the group on long-ranging journeys. Mwirima, on the other hand, preferred shorter treks.
The group opened for tourism in 2002, after being habituated as part of the original Habinyanja family.
Mwirima’s commitment to building a large and stable family paid off. By April 2010, the family had grown from its original eight members to 19. He is also known for having fathered several offspring during this time.
Information About Rushegura Gorilla Family
The Rushegura Gorilla Family consists of 16 members, with Kabukojo serving as the dominant silverback.
This family was formed in 2002 when one of the silverbacks from the Habinyanja group chose to break away. Initially, they started with 12 members, including five females.
The group, which occasionally crosses into the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo, currently includes one silverback, five adult females, one blackback, along with several juveniles and infants.
Under Mwirima’s leadership, the group feels secure, thanks to his heroic efforts in defending them from rival and wild groups. Mwirima is renowned for his fierce battles to protect his territory and family. He uses his sharp canines, slaps, chest beating, and ground thumping to signal the end of a confrontation.
Rangers recently reported an encounter between the Rushegura group and the wild Makare group, in which Mwirima fought relentlessly, emerging victorious and allowing the family to continue feeding in the area for two days in celebration of his triumph.
Mwirima is the one who dictates the group’s movements, ensuring they find suitable feeding grounds, and he also mediates any conflicts within the family. While the five adult females remain closely bonded to Mwirima, there are growing speculations about whether Kabukojo, the ambitious and fast-maturing blackback, will continue to follow Mwirima’s leadership. Will he attempt to attract some females to start his own family, or even challenge Mwirima to take control of the Rushegura group?
Latest Updates from the Rushegura Family
The Rushegura Gorilla Family was originally led by Mwirima when it split from the Habinyanja group in 2002. Sadly, Mwirima passed away in 2014 at the age of about 35. Today, the group is led by Kabukojo, the new dominant silverback.
Mwirima, whose name means “darkness” due to his dark facial features, made his mark by breaking away from the Habinyanja group on February 13, 2002, with 13 other members. This marked the establishment of the Rushegura family.
At the time of the split, the Habinyanja group had 14 individuals, with 12 members including five females. The Rushegura family, after its formation, began with 12 members and has since grown. In the past, the group was known to cross the border into the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo, though they would eventually return to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
The Rushegura family typically roams not far from Buhoma village and has even been known to wander through the gardens of nearby lodges.