History of mountain gorillas dates back in 1902 when they were discovered in the wild. Since they were discovered, there is still habitat loss, the spread of human infectious diseases and poaching among other threats. Today, there are fewer than 1063 mountain gorillas with over 459 of them thriving in the jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Southwestern Uganda. They still remain highly threatened primate species and more efforts are needed to ensure they thrive for generations. Unlike other wildlife species, mountain gorillas exist in only three countries; Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In Uganda, they live in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, in DR Congo only in the Virunga National Park and in Rwanda, mountain gorillas are found in Volcanoes National Park.
Like other wildlife species, mountain gorillas to have history. Their plight was highlighted worldwide by Dian Fossey in her film-Gorillas in the Mist. Dian Fossey conducted her research about gorillas in the Virunga Volcanoes for about 18 years till she mysteriously murdered. Today, mountain gorillas remain the most iconic attractions in the world, one reason why most tourists confine into Africa for a holiday. A glimpse at these massive creatures in the wild is a life-changing experience.

Below are the historic mountain gorillas
Poppy
Poppy was born in 1976 and she was spotted and named ‘poppy’ by Dian Fossey and her research team who recorded her birth in the jungles of Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. Her long life on earth provided adequate knowledge to researchers about mountain gorillas. Dian Fossey wrote about poppy on most of her journals describing her as a little darling. Unfortunately, she passed on in 2019 at 43 years making her one of the oldest mountain gorillas. At 41, poppy featured as the oldest gorilla to give birth. Poppy was last spotted in August, however; she became popular by a gorilla in the mist when Dian Fossey wrote about Rwanda’s mountain gorillas. Poppy was born by Effie and she holds a strong genetic legacy.

Pablo
Pablo originated from Pablo group. It is one of the gorilla families observed by Dian Fossey. In her book Gorillas in the Mist, she noted that his (Pablo) sense of frolic was infectious and his extra-ordinary personality freely increased in his first year, thus alluring most of the immature gorillas. Pablo formed his family in 1993 and still features among the popular families in Volcanoes National Park.

Cantsbee
Cantsbee was one of the remarkable silverbacks in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. He was born in 1978 and features as one of the last 2 gorillas that Dian Fossey named and researched. He passed on in 2017 after over 21 years of his dominance in Pablo’s gorilla family. Around 2006, his group was the largest with about 65 members. He is credited for his remarkable conservation story. He raised one of his son’s-Gacurasi after his mother passed on.

Digit
Digit was first sighted by Dian Fossey in 1967 a few years after his birth. Their bond grew stronger till he became a powerful silverback. Dian Fossey named him Digit after she sighted that one his fingers was injured probably by poachers’ trap. Digit was such a playful gorilla and very curious during his younger age. He was gentle and Dian Fossey described him beloved Digit. Unfortunately, he was killed by poachers and Dian Fossey founded the Digit Fund the now Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. When she was mysteriously murdered in 1985, she was also buried near Digit. On Rwanda gorilla trekking safari in Volcanoes National Park, don’t miss to pay a visit to Dian Fossey tomb site and Digit.

Effie
Effie led the largest matrilineal group-Pablo gorilla family also popular as Group 5. Her group was amazing and comprised of most ranking gorillas-both males and females. Her daughters featured as dominant females in their respective families. Effie features more than 100 descendants and was observed by Dian Fossey herself. Currently, 5 of the 9 gorilla families are followed by the Dian Fossey Fund.

Coco and Pucker
Coco and Pucker were not among the families that was observed by Dian Fossey. The two were very young about two years and they were captured for a zoo in Europe. She disapproved of their capture and later, volunteered to take care of them up to the time they were leaving for Europe. Due to improper care, Dian Fossey offered a hand to take care of them for about 60 days.

Isabukuru
Isabukuru silverback passed on in 2017 at 24 years. He was brother to the legendary silverback Cantsbee. He was known for his large bod and split from Cantsbee’s group in 2007. He began his group when he was 14 years, taking most of the females and Kubaha silverback with him. His group successfully increased and led it till he passed on.