Bageni family

The "Bageni family" refers to a group of mountain gorillas within Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Specifically, it centers around Mafuko, a 22-year-old female mountain gorilla. The Bageni family is newsworthy due to the recent birth of twin gorillas to Mafuko. This is a rare occurrence, accounting for approximately 1% of gorilla births. This event is significant because mountain gorillas are an endangered species, and the successful birth and health of these twins offer a glimmer of hope for their conservation. The birth occurred just three months after another set of gorilla twins were born in the same park, making it an exceptionally rare period for gorilla reproduction in Virunga. Virunga National Park, Africa's oldest national park, is often at the heart of conflict between the army and armed groups, adding to the challenges of protecting these vulnerable animals.