A critically endangered western lowland gorilla with a remarkable survival story has become a mother again in the forests of Congo-Brazzaville.
Image: Aspinall Foundation
Lengui, a one-armed gorilla rehabilitated and rewilded by the The Aspinall Foundation, is believed to have given birth around Valentine’s Day in the Lesio-Louna Reserve, a protected wilderness area co-managed by the charity.
According to BBC, conservationists only recently confirmed the birth after reviewing footage captured by more than 20 remote cameras scattered across the reserve. Teams monitor the cameras every six weeks before cataloguing sightings and adding them to a wildlife database which a lengthy but vital process in tracking endangered species.
According to the foundation, both mother and baby appear healthy.
For rescue coordinator Tony King, the sighting marks another emotional milestone in Lengui’s extraordinary journey.
“Having endured such trauma in her early life, we’re pleased to see Lengui is continuing to live life to the full,” he said.
Lengui’s story began in tragedy. When she was just 18 months old, her mother was killed after being caught in a snare in central Africa, leaving the young gorilla orphaned and vulnerable.
Too small to be used for bushmeat, Lengui was reportedly tied to a stake by hunters and kept alive with fruit, possibly to be sold as a pet. She was eventually rescued by a team from Odzala National Park before being rehabilitated at the Brazzaville Gorilla Orphanage in 1994.
Years later, tragedy struck again.
In 2002, Lengui was caught in another snare. Veterinarians discovered the wire had cut through her palm to the bone, with infection spreading rapidly through her wrist. To save her life, vets were forced to amputate her arm below the elbow.
Despite the injury, Lengui adapted to life in the wild and has since become a symbol of resilience for conservationists working to protect the species.
“Motherhood will not be easy,” King explained, noting that gorilla infants can remain dependent on their mothers for up to four years. “But Lengui is a mature mum.”
According to the Gorilla Organization, western lowland gorillas are listed as critically endangered, with an estimated 150 000 remaining in the wild.
Lengui’s latest arrival is therefore more than just a heartwarming story, but also a rare conservation success for one of the world’s most threatened primates.
(Source: BBC)
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