Rwanda Honors Baby Gorillas for 20th Consecutive Year

A Global Celebration of Conservation: The 20th Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony

Rwanda is set to host the 20th edition of the Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony on Friday, September 5. This highly anticipated event will take place in the foothills of Volcanoes National Park in Kinigi, Musanze District, and will feature 40 baby mountain gorillas being named. Since its inception in 2005, the ceremony has become a global symbol of conservation efforts for the once critically endangered mountain gorillas.

This year’s ceremony marks a significant milestone, as it will bring the total number of named baby gorillas to 435. In 2024, 22 baby gorillas were initially scheduled to be named in October, but the event was postponed. The tradition of Kwita Izina is rooted in centuries-old Rwandan customs of naming newborns. It was officially established as a platform to promote conservation, engage local communities, and raise international awareness about Rwanda’s commitment to protecting mountain gorillas.

The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) highlights that the ceremony serves as an opportunity to recognize and thank the communities surrounding Volcanoes National Park, as well as research partners, veterinary experts, rangers, and trackers who dedicate themselves to the protection of gorillas throughout the year.

The Impact of Conservation Efforts

The success of conservation initiatives is evident in the growing population of mountain gorillas in the Virunga Massif, which spans Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The population has increased from 880 in 2012 to over 1,063 today. This growth is attributed to sustained efforts in wildlife protection and community engagement.

Tourism revenues from Volcanoes National Park have also contributed significantly to development projects in surrounding communities. According to RDB, approximately Rwf18 billion has been invested in these initiatives. Additionally, the tourism sector in Musanze has seen remarkable growth, with the number of hotel rooms increasing from fewer than 60 before 2005 to 91,000 today.

Expanding Conservation Areas

Rwanda is currently undertaking a $255 million project to expand Virunga National Park by 37.4 square kilometers, or 23% of its current size. This expansion aims to enhance habitat functionality and is expected to increase mountain gorilla viewing opportunities by 20%, thereby boosting tourism revenues and reducing human-wildlife conflict. The project, which entered its second phase in the 2022/2023 fiscal year, will run for five years.

Prominent Figures Participating in the Ceremony

What began as a local celebration has evolved into a global event that attracts influential personalities from various fields. This year’s ceremony will feature notable figures from conservation, business, entertainment, sports, and philanthropy, alongside rangers, researchers, and community representatives both in person and virtually.

Among the namers this year are Princess Ingeborg Zu Schleswig-Holstein, Tunku Ali Redhauddin ibni Tuanku Muhriz, Professor Senait Fisseha MD, JD, Sang-Hyup Kim, David S. Marriott, Dr Yin Ye, Charlie Mayhew and Caroline Mayhew, Claver Ntoyinkima, and Michael Bay. Other participants include Michelle Yeoh Todt, Jean Todt, Matthew Harris, Jeanine 'Khadja Nin' Rema, Mathieu Flamini, Laura Kabasomi Kakoma, and Yemi Alade.

Additional namers include Reed Oppenheimer, Athanasie Mukabizimungu, Dr Edward Hult, Suzanne Sinegal, Gagan Gupta, Camille Rebelo, Luis Garcia, Bacary Sagna, Javier Pastore, Xi Zhinong, Lee Ehmke, Susan Chin, Ruth Fisher, Vivien Ressler, and Jean de Dieu Niyonzima.

Those participating virtually include Khaby Lame, Alliance Umwizerwa, Dr. Gaspard Nzayisenga, Dieudonne Gato, Theogene Bimenyimana, Brenda Umutoni, Leonard Nsengiyumva, Jean Marie Vianney Zirimwabagabo, and Naume Mukabarisa. Their involvement underscores the global significance of the Kwita Izina ceremony and the collective effort to protect and celebrate the mountain gorillas.