The 21st Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony on September 4, in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, officially named 22 baby gorillas.
The annual event, celebrating Rwanda’s conservation efforts, gathers local communities, governmental officials, conservationists and international guests.
DROP IN 1
Officials in conservation, tourism, business, sport, entertainment, philanthropy and public service bestowed names on the newborns.
“In the early 1980s, there were only about 250 mountain gorillas left in the Virunga Massif. Today, there are more than 1 000 mountain gorillas in the world, including more than 600 in the Virunga Massif. This remarkable recovery was built through the persistence of rangers, the expertise of veterinarians and researchers, strong conservation policy, responsible tourism and the recognition that no single actor could do this job alone,” said Justin Nsengiyumva, Prime Minister of Rwanda.
