NAIROBI, Aug 22: A mountain gorilla was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga park on Tuesday, an important event for the endangered species’ survival following the recent killings of five silverbacks.

“The birth yesterday is seen as a key step toward the survival of this critically endangered species,” the Wildlife Direct conservationist organisation said in a statement on Wednesday.

“Nine mountain gorillas have been killed since January in Congo’s gorilla sector, sparking one of the worst crises for this endangered species in over 35 years,” it added. The newborn has yet to be named.

“Despite the slaughter of the gorillas in July that shocked the whole world, we can see that they are fighting to survive,” said Norbert Mushenzi, head of southern Virunga for the Congolese Nature Conservation Institute.

“ICCN is collaborating with all conservation NGOs to intensify the protection of the gorillas with additional guards and reinforced patrols,” he added in the statement. In July, four members of a family of gorillas were massacred, the remains of a fifth female were found days later and her infant is presumed dead.—AFP