Hope for Rafiki's bereft family

Like fate would have it, the life of the Nkuringo gorilla family of eleven that was left without a leader after silverback Rafiki was stabbed to death, now has a ray of hope after two blackbacks called Rwomutare and Tabu took partial control.

"The little ones are seen playing as if everything is fine," confides Uganda Wildlife Authority spokesman Simpluicious Gessa.

"It is only Rafiki's oldest widow who is still in a sad mood. But they feed and move in a group as Rwomutare and Tabu battle for leadership."

Rwomutare is more dominant as Tabu is more friendly and playful with the tender aged members of the group.

"For a while, our fears of a non-habituated gorilla taking over the group are partially no more but we are keeping our fingers crossed," says Gessa.

"Anything can happen. Though habituated, the family is still wild and lives by the laws of the jungle."

Contrary to expectations, the death of Rafiki and COVID-19 have increased the volume of inquiries from abroad as tourists anxiously await for the lifting of the nationwide lockdown.

Some blame the poaching incidence to relaxing of security in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest because there are no tourists destined there since March.