A photograph of Mishaya taken in June 2012. Mishaya was a leader of a commuinty of gorillas in Bwindi (UWA Photo)
At 28
years, Mishaya had lived only half his life in the Bwindi Impenetrable
National Park in southwestern Uganda. On Monday, Mishaya died after a
short illness, according to top wildlife officials.
The lifespan of mountain gorillas is estimated at 50 years,
according to Dr. Gladys Kalema, the director of conservation through
public health. She described Mishaya, who broke away from Nshongi about
two years ago, as an active, friendly and assertive gorilla.
“Mishaya will be missed,” Kalema said. Others who eulogised Mishaya
said he would amuse them, giving many tourists compelling opportunities
for photographs.
Dr. Andrew Seguya, the executive director of Uganda Wildlife
Authority (UWA) said: “We have lost a lovely mountain gorilla which was
free with tourists.” He said he had sent a team of veterinary doctors to
investigate further what caused Mishaya’s death.
Preliminary results indicate that he died after the coiling of the
intestines. Mishaya was the only silverback (alpha male) after which a
group of habituated gorillas in Bwindi was named. His group lives in
Rushaga, in the southern region of Bwindi.
Apart from Mishaya, the southern sector of Bwindi is home to habituated gorillas, Nshongyi, Kahungye and Busingye groups.
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