Volcanoes National Park Rwanda’s oldest Silverback Cantsbee ; monitored by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund facing succession Leadership challenges

Mountain gorillas live in groups headed by a dominant male Silverback, a name derived from the silver lining that develops at the back with old age. There are many gorilla families in the mountain gorilla world which are divided across Virunga Mountain ranges and in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park in Uganda. The gorillas in Virunga Mountain ranges live in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Virunga national park in Democratic republic of Congo and Mgahinga national Park in Uganda.

There are less than 800 mountain gorillas remaining in the world, half of which live in Bwindi impenetrable national park and the rest in Virunga mountain ranges.

Volcanoes National park in Rwanda currently has 10 habituated gorilla families for gorilla trekking in Rwanda and a number of other gorilla families still under research. On the other hand, Virunga national park has five habituated gorilla families with the rest of the groups still under research.

Research about the mountain gorillas behavior was started by American Primatologist Dian Fossey in 1967 who studied the behavior of the mountain gorillas, how they live, mate, behave in their natural wild.

Studies show that the gorillas share 98% DNA with human beings which makes them closer cousins to human beings and behave almost in the same manner as human beings.

With death of Dian Fossey in 1985, her work was carried through by the fund called Dian Fossey gorilla Fund that has continued to monitor and conserve the mountain gorillas in Virunga mountain ranges.

The dominant male gorilla called silverback will always head the group each day on where to move, and take general charge of the discipline of all the gorillas in the group. In case there is a rising conflict by another silverback, there will be a rebellion, which always lead to splitting of gorilla family with the silverback leading away the supportive gorillas to start another family.

The other way the silverback loses leadership is when there is death of the silverback or serious illness that he can no longer perform his leadership duties to steer the family. The second active silverback will take over from leadership of the group. For over the years of gorilla research and observation, that has been the way the gorilla families are led and formed up.

However, the currently, there has been a new observation on the largest group of mountain gorillas monitored by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund which has been led by a 37 year old Silverback named Cantsbee, a name given to him by Dian Fossey when he was born in 1978.

This group has 30 members now and originated from a group of 65 members which was led by Pablo before it split into two.

With Cantsbee reaching an elderly status but still healthy and strong, his leadership has come under serious challenge coming from his son Gicurasi.

This challenge has one up and down over the years as has been observed by Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.

For the large part of this year, Gicurasi who is still young and energetic has taken active role in protecting the family and also performing mating duties but without official recognition from the rest of the family members.

Gicurasi has been observed crossing in front of the leader and trying to head the group. This has in several cases led to serious fights between Gicurasi and Cantsbee, the group leader and most fights have been won by Gicurasi.

Another Silverback in the group name “Kureba” who has always taken clear stance supporting Cantsbee in his leadership role has since stopped intervening in the fights between Cantsbee and Gicurasi.

Often times, Cantsbee has been seen fighting Gucurasi not to move in front of him and forcing him to the ground.

However, Gucurasi has been observed to now be supported by many group members who support him in the movements and with Cantsbee aging, he may soon give up to Gucurasi and start benefiting from subordinate position with Gicurasi being accountable for the group protection and movements.

With over 50 years of observing the behavior of the mountain gorillas, this will be the first kind of succession observed with the younger silver back taking over leadership from an existing and still active dominant silver back.