Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund

10/05/2026

Okay. This was INTENSE. 😬

Here's a video you may not have seen in a while. Remember this remarkable interaction? Mutobo's group met Musilikale's group for a TWO-HOUR encounter in 2024, bringing 40 gorillas together in one spot.

Despite being the only male in his group, silverback Mutobo (on the left) bravely faced the four silverbacks of Musilikale's group. Interestingly, these silverbacks grew up together in Pablo's group. 🦍

Don't worry, the story ends well: the interaction ended peacefully, with females and infants surrounding the posturing silverbacks. 😅

📸 Joyce Uwineza

10/05/2026

The Titus group has welcomed an important new member. 🤗

On July 15, researchers and trackers from the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund discovered that Bisoke, a young female mountain gorilla, had left her natal Ntambara group and joined the neighboring Titus group.

💡 Learn more:
https://gorillafund.org/gorilla-behavior/from-ntambara-to-titus-bisokes-new-beginning/

10/04/2026

You've got to see this video - it was a big surprise for our team! 🤗 🤣 😅

Female Ubudehe, who is 17 years old and originally from Agashya’s group, was found in the Kwisanga group. When we found her, the two groups were far apart, but both had traveled long distances, so they were probably close when Ubudehe moved to join the group.

The new female showed a clear interest in the dominant silverback Lisanga, staying close to him and actively seeking his attention, while he performed a few displays.

Ubudehe even reached out and repeatedly touched Lisanga to solicit a reaction! Based on his response, it may not be time for further engagement yet. He may still have been a little tired after the long distance traveled the previous day!

We will follow Ubudehe’s integration closely, but so far it seems to be going very well.

📸 Jean Marie Vianney Ndagiwenimana

10/03/2026

Whoops 🫠 🙃

Little Ngabonzima is very silly while playing - watch him flip upside down during playtime with his mother, Ukwiyunga. 🤸 🤣

📸 Ronnie Steinitz

10/02/2026

The practice of naming gorillas is deeply rooted in the history of mountain gorilla conservation. During Dian Fossey’s time, she named the individual gorillas they monitored to track their behaviors and family lineages. In 2005, the Rwandan government formalized this long-standing practice into Kwita Izina, modeled after the traditional centuries-old Rwandan ceremony where families name a newborn child in the presence of their community.

💡 Learn more:

Rwanda’s 21st annual Kwita Izina ceremony will take place on September 4, 2026, where infant gorillas born over the last year were named. As the mountain gorilla population in Volcanoes National Park continues to grow, these infants represent the future of the subspecies through this remarkable ev...

10/02/2026

Solo play is a normal part of gorilla life. 😌

In this video, see Rugwiro adorably play by himself.

📸 Cedric Dushimimana

10/01/2026

Grauer’s gorillas are one of the four subspecies of gorillas and one of the two that the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund works to protect. 🦍

💡 Learn more about Grauer's gorillas:
https://gorillafund.org/congo/grauers-gorillas-everything-you-need-to-know-about-these-hidden-animals-in-congo/

10/01/2026

As a gorilla infant, your mother's back is a great place to rest! 😊

In this video, see Umuragemwiza hang out while his mother, Umoja, takes her time feeding. 🌱 🌿

📸 Joyce Uwineza

09/30/2026

Make a difference in the life of a wild gorilla: adopt Ubi! 💛

Adopting Ubi means you’ll help nurture a fearless young gorilla whose rare bond with the silverbacks is shaping him into a confident and capable future leader.

💡 Get involved in gorilla conservation OR learn more:
https://gorillafund.org/adopt/

09/30/2026

This will make you smile. 🥰 😁

In this video, watch infants from the Hirwa group have the silliest, cutest playtime.

📸 Dominic Mayo