Congo’s only 2 captive baby gorillas leave crowded city for new digs at jungle sanctuary

Congo: Baby gorillas get lush new jungle digs

GOMA, Congo — Conservationists say two baby mountain gorillas have moved to a lush jungle sanctuary formerly closed to them because of violent instability in eastern Congo.

Virunga National Park director Emmanuel de Merode said Wednesday the gorillas moved Tuesday into their new home in the park. The orphaned gorillas were forced to live in a house in the bustling city of Goma for two years because of fighting in eastern Congo.

Female orphans Ndeze and Ndakasi were abandoned in 2007 and are the world’s only captive baby mountain gorillas.

The park is also building a sanctuary where schoolchildren and tourists can observe the 2½-year-old gorillas from hidden platforms.

Virunga National Park is home to 200 of the world’s 720 remaining mountain gorillas.