Mountain Gorilla Naming Ceremony

[Catherine]

The whole attitude towards the gorillas has changed. They cherish and protect them because they are now an important part of the local economy.

I think it was eight years ago that a number of mountain gorillas were shoot by poachers. It was heart breaking. Beautiful big silver back males were killed. Moms nursing babies were killed. If I remember right, one baby survived because, when the shooting started a nearby older brother grabbed her and ran to safety. The mom was killed, but he brought the baby to the rangers so they could care for her. That story broke my heard.

It is such a joyful thing to hear that they are giving the babies names and there are twenty four babies.