Mishaya Gorilla Group
Mishaya Gorilla Group one of the habituated groups in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in the Rushaga sector. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is the second smallest National Park in Uganda. After Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, these are the only parks in Uganda where one can track the Mountain Gorillas in their Natural Habitat.
The Mishaya group split from the Nshongi gorilla group. Under the leadership of the dominant silverback “Mishaya” from which the group name derived. The Mishaya group is open for gorilla trekking and it broke away from the Nshongi family in July 2010. Mishaya gorilla group had 7 members including; Mwiza, Bakunzi, Rutaro, Mize and Mishaya himself. But then the numbers keep changing due to certain factors including; new births, death of members, winning of other family members from another group and some members leaving the group.
Currently, the Mishaya group has a composition of 12 members and this includes the 2020 newly born baby from Biretwa mother gorilla. Mountain gorillas endangered therefore trekking to view a family of these apes. Such a mesmerizing wildlife encounter not missed in the wild.
The dominant silverback Mishaya known for his aggressiveness. He fought so many battles with other Gorilla groups including unhabituated gorilla groups as well. On several occasions, Mishaya’s interactions with other gorilla groups always ended up in fights. That positively won him more females joining his group hence leading to an expansion of his group. Mishaya was an aggressive male who always fought tirelessly to protect his group from intruders.
It is also said that Mishaya was a family man who used to seduce female gorillas from other gorilla families. To join his family and he would be so happy whenever he would win new female gorillas. Since he was increasing the number of members.
Some of the Mishaya gorilla family group members include; Mishaya gorilla family Silverback Mishaya (Deceased), Bukunzi, Mwiza, Rutaro, Mize. Currently the family is led by Silverback Mwine. Silverback Mishaya unfortunately died in February 2014. His death was mysterious as he was found dead by the Park trackers in the morning. He only lived for 28 years and the cause of his death was unclear since he had no history of illness and no injuries. Mountain gorillas conserved and also found in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.