Oldest Habituated Silverback gets kicked out!

Ruhondeza, the silverback from the  MUBARE gorilla group in Bwindi forest, Uganda has been kicked out.

Ruhondeza was the first silverback to be habituated in the rain-forest. It is believed he is over 45 years of age. This is old for a gorilla, especially a habituated one.

His son, Kanyonye has kicked him out. Its clearly time for Kanyonye to be taking over the small group.  At around 13 years, a black-back will reach maturity and get the silver hair on its back. This is the sign that he is a silverback and ready to lead his own group. He most likely has challenged his father for head position of his group.

It is said that Ruhondeza, (meaning who sleeps a lot) is staying close to the cultivated land by Dr. Scott’s area, or Ibare Hill. (Place of stone)

The rest of the group have moved deeper into Bwindi with Kanyonye, their new leader.

Whilst its very sad to lose the kind of Bwindi, its also exciting in that Kanyonye see’s its time to begin a new family group in Bwindi. Lets hope he forms his own beautiful band of gorillas.