By Samuel Ngoga
2025 Jim Rubin International Fellow
Just half a century ago, the survival of mountain gorillas hung in the balance. In the 1960s and 1970s, relentless poaching and habitat destruction reduced their numbers to fewer than 300. These magnificent great apes, tucked away in the misty slopes of the Virunga Mountains, stood on the verge of extinction.
The 1994 genocide against the Tutsi further devastated Rwanda’s environment, leaving behind shattered communities and an uncertain future. Yet even in the face of such tragedy, Rwanda chose renewal — not only through reconciliation but also by protecting its natural heritage.
In 2005, Rwanda launched a new chapter in its conservation story through Kwita Izina, a national ceremony modeled after the ancestral tradition of naming children. Translated from Kinyarwanda as “to give a name,” the event celebrates each baby gorilla born in Volcanoes National Park with a meaningful name chosen by community members, leaders, conservationists, and international partners.
Since its inception, 397 baby gorillas have been introduced to the world through Kwita Izina. Each given name, whether “Blessing” or “Prosperity,” carries with it deep symbolism that reflects Rwanda’s culture and celebrates a species that shares a profound kinship with humans. More than a festive occasion, the event has become an annual gathering that shines a spotlight on gorilla protection, reinforces community ownership of conservation efforts, and raises global awareness.
Today, Rwanda’s mountain gorillas stand out as a rare success story in wildlife conservation. In contrast to many other great apes, which are experiencing significant population declines, the mountain gorilla population has been increasing at an annual rate of about 3% since 2010. According to the 2019 Sarambwe mountain gorilla census, the population reached 1,063 individuals. This progress led the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to reclassify them from “critically endangered” to “endangered,” — a hopeful sign in the global fight against biodiversity loss.
However, the above encouraging numbers raise an important question: are current resources, especially natural habitat, sufficient to sustain the growing population of mountain gorillas? In response, Rwanda has launched a bold initiative to expand Volcanoes National Park by nearly 25%. This visionary plan aims not only to secure a thriving future for the next generation of gorillas, but also to improve the lives of surrounding communities and calls on the global community to support and join this ambitious effort.
Rwanda’s success in gorilla conservation can be attributed to its comprehensive approach, which includes: anti-poaching patrols and surveillance that protect gorilla families; community partnerships that allow local residents to directly benefit from conservation efforts; sustainable tourism, where carefully managed gorilla treks fund both habitat protection and local development; and finally, laws that leave no room for ambiguity.
In 2023 alone, Rwanda welcomed 1.4 million visitors, generating more than USD 620 million in tourism revenue. Gorilla tourism contributed about 1% of the country’s GDP, with 10% of this income channeled directly into local communities. Since 2005, nearly Rwf 12.9 billion has funded more than 1,100 local projects, including schools, health facilities, and agricultural cooperatives. These initiatives uplift communities and deepen their connection to the Volcanoes National Park, empowering them to take an active role in its protection.
President Paul Kagame emphasized this sentiment at the 2025 Kwita Izina gala, stating, “In Rwanda, 10% of tourism revenue goes directly to the communities living around our parks. It’s not just support—it’s an incentive to protect and sustain our shared heritage.”
This spirit of inclusion is evident in the lives of the community living around Volcanoes National Park. As Agnes Mukarubibi, a resident of Kinigi, recalls, “Growing up, I used to walk hours to school, but today it only takes my child five minutes. These benefits bring us closer to the gorillas and remind us that protecting them benefits us too.” Her story reflects the wider transformation Kwita Izina has inspired, in which conservation has brought concrete development, from schools and health centers to dairy farms and clean water systems.
As we celebrate 20 years of this unique tradition, we are reminded of our collective responsibility to safeguard one of the planet’s most vulnerable species. Each baby gorilla named is not just a gift to Rwanda, but to the world, a call that our shared heritage depends on the choices we make today.
Together, we have the power to protect not only these remarkable animals, but also our planet for future generations. Let us embrace this responsibility with renewed enthusiasm and work collaboratively to ensure a thriving environment for all living beings.