Richard Komakech
22 January 2004
Kampala — UGANDA Wildlife Authority (UWA) has christened eight baby gorillas that were born among habituated groups in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The were Muyambi (21 months), Malaika (15 months), Nyampazi (seven months), Kasya (three months), Rwamutwe (three months), Kafuruka (two months), Noel Kaconco (fifteen days) and Kwesiima (five days).
Villagers danced excitedly as the acting chief warden, David Kiisa and Chris Oryema, the senior warden of Mgahinga National Park, read out names of the gorillas christened in absentia.
Performances by the Batwa cultural group and school children marked the affair held at the park headquarters in Buhoma on Saturday.
"We celebrate because gorillas can take up to three years without having a baby," Kiisa said.
Recent births increased the number to 63 in the four habituated groups in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Each member of the habituated gorilla groups has been given a name by UWA and they are identified by the prints on their noses.
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