The Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage in Congo is a leading primate conservation initiate in Africa. Despite their increasing numbers, mountain gorillas are still threatened and listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Only about 1000 individuals still live in the forests of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Wildlife Conservationists and the three governments have initiated several projects with the intention of saving mountain gorillas from extinction given their low numbers. The greatest threat to mountain gorillas come from humans and their activities. Many of the primates have been killed during civil wars and by snares left behind by poachers. As populations increase within human communities living close to gorilla habitats, forests are destroyed for firewood and to open up farms. It is why the three governments decided to gazette the gorilla parks and relocate communities like the Batwa pygmies. Apart from man, another great threat to mountain gorillas would be diseases. Given their low numbers, a single highly transmittable disease like Ebola could wipe out entire groups.
It is also important to note that the mountain gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo still face the old threat of civil wars, poaching and loss of habitat due to weaker government policies. In 2007, the Rugendo gorilla group led by a silverback gorilla known as Senkwekwe was attacked by rebels hiding in the Virunga National park. Some gorillas lost their lives leaving behind orphans like Ndeze and Ndakasi who were rescued and kept in a building in Goma town. Living in the middle of a busy town raised concern among conservationists around the world. Moreover, conditions in the building were generally unsuitable. A new temporary home was created for them near Mikeno Lodge in Virunga national park with more space and better living conditions. In 2010, this new home was turned into a gorilla sanctuary known as the Senkwekwe Centre. Once the Senkwekwe Centre was established, wildlife conservation Agencies and individual donors contributed around $210,000 for the gorillas.
The Senkwekwe Centre is the only mountain gorilla sanctuary in the world. It has grown in size as more orphans were introduced into the Centre. The orphanage is located in an ideal place which is very spacious. It is actually a large section of forest with fruits and vegetation for the gorillas to feed on. Their diet is complemented by vegetables, fruits, porridge and milk for those that come when not weaned. The Senkwekwe Gorilla orphanage is managed by Virunga foundation which also manages the Virunga National Park. The gorilla orphanage is open to tourists who are staying at the Mikeno lodge at no cost. The Virunga National Park works closely with other wildlife conservation organizations like the Gorilla doctors and Gorilla Fund International to raise funds. It is important to note that the Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage Centre has also received orphaned eastern lowland gorillas from Kahuzi-Biega National Park.
Gorilla Orphans at the Senkwekwe Centre
It is important to know at this point that the first two orphaned gorillas (Ndeze and Ndakasi) are no more as they succumbed to death due to different health conditions but it has not stopped the Senkwekwe Centre from running or receiving new orphans. Currently, there are six orphaned gorillas at the Centre. Most of these orphaned gorillas were got from Virunga and Kahuzi Biega national park after losing their parents to poachers, rebels and pet traders. They were brought into the Centre for rehabilitation and treatment with grave injuries. The orphans are taken care of by a team of dedicated caregivers and veterinary doctors. Despite living a life of plenty and with the best medical care, some have still succumbed to illnesses. We will be discussing some of the famous gorilla orphans that have been brought to the Centre since its opening in 2010: –
Famous residents of the Senkwekwe Mountain Gorilla Orphanage Center
Maisha: Maisha (meaning “life”) was born in 2001 and was one of the first orphans to be welcomed at the Senkwekwe Centre. Her family was attacked by poachers in 2004. The poachers took her into 
captivity before abandoning her inside a cave at the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The local population reported to the management of the Volcanoes National park in Rwanda about her presence in the caves and she was rescued. Maisha was found in a very appalling state but animal doctors treated her back to good health. When the Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage was opened in 2010, she was transferred there to receive better care. Maisha was warm, caring and full of life as her name suggested. She took care of other orphaned gorillas that were brought into the Centre as though they were her own children. Unfortunately, Maisha’s health deteriorated as she got older leading to her death.
Yalala: Yalala was part of the Kabirizi gorilla group in the Virunga National Park. She was rescued from a snare placed by poachers in the forest to catch other wildlife. Yalala was found lying on her back and helplessly trapped in the giant snare. Her leg was later amputated because it was severely damaged by the snare as she attempted to free herself. Yalala still lives in the Centre and can be visited by tourists visiting the park for activities like gorilla trekking and hiking the Nyiragongo Volcano.
Kaboko: Kaboko was a male gorilla whose hand was cut off due to injuries sustained while trapped in a snare set up by poachers. He was a very charming gorilla that was liked by everyone and his fellow 
gorillas. Kaboko always had abdominal problems but his death was accelerated by the 2012 rebel attack around Virunga national park which forced management to close it for a while. He died of depression since there was no qualified veterinary doctor to take care of him.
Ndakasi: Ndakasi was one of the first two gorillas to be brought into the Centre after the great massacre of members of the Rugendo group in 2007 by rebels in Virunga National Park. Her misfortune resulted into the creation of the Senkwekwe Centre. As we mentioned earlier, Ndakasi was transferred from a house in Goma town to the Centre in 2010. By then she was a ten years old. Ndakasi has since died.
Ndeze: Ndeze is among the two gorillas that were found living in a building in Goma city. She was a sister to Ndakasi. Their ordeal and unhealthy living condition in the middle of a busy town caught the attention among conservationists leading to the creation of the Senkwekwe mountain gorilla orphanage Centre. Ndeze has also passed on but after staying in the Centre for a while.
Matabishi: Matabishi was a young male gorilla found in a maize garden close to the Virunga National Park. It is believed that poachers dropped him close to the park out of fear of being caught. He was welcomed to the orphanage in 2010. Maisha loved Matabishi so much. She took care and protected him as if she was his mother.
How to visit the Senkwekwe Mountain Gorilla Orphanage Centre
The Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage Centre is located within the Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is built close to the park offices and the luxury Mikeno lodge. The Senkwekwe Centre is managed by the Virunga Foundation with the help of veterinary doctors from the Gorilla Doctors. The foundation employs a team of caregivers to help rehabilitate, feed and take care of the primates. In case they get sick, a team from the gorilla doctors are there to treat them.
In order to raise funds from individual donors/sponsors and to show people what they are doing with the orphans, the Virunga allows limited visits to the Centre. Visiting the Senkwekwe Centre is free but only possible for tourists who are booked at Mikeno lodge. Other lodges like the Kibumba Tented Camp 
and the Bukima Tented Camp are built too far away from the Centre. However, special arrangements can be made on a case by case basis from the hotel or with the help of your tour operator. Visiting the Senkwekwe Center is just an additional experience for visitors who mainly come to hike mount Nyiragongo or do gorilla trekking in Virunga National park. Visiting the Centre also allows visitors to get close and personal with the primates – sometimes even more than gorilla trekking. The only difference is that the gorillas at the Centre live in a sealed section of forest. While at the Centre, you can watch as the gorillas are fed or see them make their nests and play with the caretakers. Visitors are allowed to feed the primates under the supervision of the caretakers. Volunteers are always welcome at the Centre but one needs to apply through the Virunga Foundation. Any donations need to be sent through the official website of the Virunga National Park.
