By Dr. Fred Nizeyimana

On January 4, I trekked to Kahunge group in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to check and assess the group’s health following a report of the death of a newborn infant. The infant was born on December 28, 2012 and died on January 1, 2013. The infant’s mother is Rugendo, a young adult female and first-time mother. Trackers reported that Rugendo was carrying the deceased infant with her as she traveled with the group.

An adult female feeding on Urera hypselodendron.

We found the group in the Kyaminono area, at an elevation of 2121 meters. The group was feeding in primary forest with a thick understory of Urera Mimulopsis. The gorillas fed mostly on Maesa lanceolata  seeds, Basella alba leaves, Urera hypselodendron bark, leaves, and Mimulopsis arborescens pith. 

With the trackers, we first searched for signs of the deceased infant around the group’s night nests and the trails surrounding the group. Close to the nesting area, we recovered a small part of the infant’s fore-limb and hand, but there were no other remains. With only this small body part recovered, it was not possible to make a conclusive post-mortem examination. Thus, we were unable to determine the infant’s cause of death.

Dominant silverback Rumanzi and beta male Ruhamuka were ahead of the group with other individuals and the third ranking silverback, Rwigi trailed the group. Infants played with one another and climbed trees as the adults continued to feed. Rugendo, the new mother, was with the group and behaving normally. Rugendo’s mammary glands were not yet fully developed and failure to nurse could not be ruled out as a possible cause of death of the infant.

All of the individuals in Kahunge group were located and there was no sign of ill-health.

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