Meet Gihishamwotsi, the incredible young king of the mountains! His name might be long, but his story is even more amazing. Gihishamwotsi is the son of the famous silverback Guhonda, who was once the largest and most powerful gorilla leader in all of Rwanda – weighing an incredible 220kg!
But here’s what makes Gihishamwotsi’s story so special: he didn’t become a leader overnight. For over 3 years, he watched and learned from his father, Guhonda. Slowly, his father began stepping back, letting Gihishamwotsi practice being the protector and decision-maker for their family. In January 2020, Guhonda finally passed the leadership torch to his son – just like a king passing his crown to a prince!
Now Gihishamwotsi leads his family of 16 gorillas through the misty mountains, making sure everyone is safe, fed, and happy. His family loves to explore the bamboo forests and sometimes even ventures to the edge of the park where local farmers grow bamboo and eucalyptus trees – though Gihishamwotsi always makes sure they stay safe!
Both Gihishamwotsi and Muturengere (the other gorilla we track) show us that great leaders come in different ways – some learn from their parents like Gihishamwotsi, while others rise to the challenge when needed like Muturengere. They both teach us about family, responsibility, and taking care of those we love.
These amazing silverbacks live in Rwanda’s beautiful Volcanoes National Park, where they play a crucial role in keeping the mountain gorilla species alive and thriving. By learning about their stories, we become part of their protection team too!