Five gorilla cubs born within six weeks of a gorilla family led the Ugandan Wildlife Service (UWS) to claim that the gorilla species is experiencing an explosion in birth rates.
The gorilla family now consists of 18 members and occupies the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwest Uganda.
The newest baby gorilla was born to Ruterana, who has given birth twice before.
According to UWS, Ruterana was born on January 1, 2002, so she is now 18 years old.
This mountain gorilla is a threatened species and the number that remains is only about 1,000.
The Uganda Wildlife Manager told the BBC that the number of gorilla births this year was unprecedented.
Seven baby gorillas have been born since January, even though only three babies were born during 2019.
But it is not clear what caused the increase in births.
The BBC’s Africa correspondent Catherine Byaruhanga reports the birth explosion occurred as the national park carried out a trial visit to primate sites, which were previously halted due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In March, some tourist attractions in Uganda were closed.
However, now it has begun to open.
Even so, the safety of these primates remains a separate concern because their DNA is similar to humans.
Small numbers of visitors are now allowed to enter protected areas amid trials of new security protocols, such as wearing face masks and maintaining distance.
Hunting is also a big concern for authorities, especially during the lockdown.
