Nshongi Gorilla group splits

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News from the guides in the Rushaga region of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park have confirmed that the 34 strong Nshongi gorilla group have split!!!

The silverback Rishaya has left taking along 8 other members including a few females.

Is this a good or bad thing? the split has two implications:
There is now an additional habituated gorilla group in the Rushaga area...but what caused the split?
Pressure from visitors, as this is the most recently habituated band of gorillas.

Or, is this a natural occurance, the size of the group becoming too large, group dynamics taking over?

We'll keep you posted on the split. Last slit came from the Habinyanja group in March 2009. Since then, Ruansigazi is still on the run!

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Photos

Nshongi Gorillas split
What caused the 34 strong Nshongi gorillas to split?