Remembering Rafiki: Mountain Gorilla Killed by Poachers in Uganda
John Muwaita, Owner and Head Guide of Safaris By Jon standing in remembrance of beloved Rafiki in Bwindi.
On June 1st of 2020, Uganda Wildlife Authority Rangers and Trackers were unable to locate the leader of the habituated Nkuringo Mountain Gorilla Group in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park of Southwestern Uganda. The Nkuringo are one of the 3 habituated gorilla families that are found in the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Rafiki was crucial to the success of his group.
Rafiki was 25, healthy, and the only dominant Silverback Mountain Gorilla of the Nkuringo Group. A day later, trackers and rangers made the horrific discovery of Rafiki’s remains and began to track the culprit immediately. Their search led them to a nearby village where they found the suspected poacher and hunting equipment. The poacher was identified as Felix Byamukama who later admitted to have illegally entered the park with 3 others. He claimed to have killed Rafiki in self-defense when he had gone to hunt bush pigs and duikers. Byamukama was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment while the 3 others who were with him have denied the charges and are still on remand as the investigations continue.
There have been worries that the Nkuringo Mountain Gorilla Group could have broken up following the death of Rafiki, their only Silverback Mountain Gorilla. However, recent reports from Bwindi’s field research team at Uganda Wildlife Authority indicate that the group is now led by a black-back from within the family and his presence as the new leader has continued to stabilize the social dynamic of their group. Their family now consists of 16 mountain gorillas - 3 blackbacks, 8 adult females, 2 juveniles and 3 infants.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is home to almost half of the existing mountain gorillas in the world and has 4 sectors where SBJ offers gorilla trekking – Buhoma, Ruhiji, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Uganda has been one of the pioneers in sustainable conservation in Africa and Gorilla Trekking has been one of their biggest success stories. All of the money that is paid to the Uganda Wildlife Authority for park fees and gorilla trekking permits directly contributes to the protection of mountain gorillas- the tracking of mountain gorillas, research teams, anti-poaching units, park infrastructure, local job creation and deterrents to poaching, and community outreach programs that promote educational awareness focused on conservation.
In 1989, there were only an estimated 620 individual mountain gorillas remaining in the wild on the entire planet. Today, there are an estimated 1,004 thanks to sustainable conservation programs like those at Bwindi and of course the adventurous travelers and tourists who pay to visit these incredible animals in person.
Do you want to visit Uganda and witness the incredible Nkuringo Mountain Gorillas in person? Join us for a life changing experience on a Gorilla Trekking Safari with Safaris By Jon and support the conservation and protection of these endangered species, as well as other wildlife in Uganda.
Join Safaris by Jon in the fight for conservation and the protection of all wildlife in Uganda. For safaris, itineraries and more information please visit our website: www.safarisbyjon.com, email us: info@safarisbyjon.com, call us: +256772912449/ +256757912449 or chat with us on Whatsup: +256757912449.
