Elephants and Gorillas Return to Virunga in Powerful Recovery

Vast herds of African bush elephants are reclaiming their ancestral home in Virunga National Park as violence in the region subsides.

Nearly 500 elephants have crossed the border from Uganda, acting as natural engineers to restore the local ecosystem to its former glory.

“Now not only are we seeing the elephants, which is an unbelievable sight from above, but we’re noticing the impact of such a big herd on the park,” said pilot Anthony Caere.

“They’re restoring everything back to what it was 50 years ago and doing so much faster than we could have imagined.”

The return of these majestic animals has revitalized the landscape, paving the way for the return of buffalo, lions, and warthogs.

In a separate celebration of life, the park’s mountain gorilla population is thriving with nine recent births recorded this year.

One extraordinary event include the birth of rare twins within the Bageni family, a momentous occasion for the endangered species.

“The five births recorded since the start of 2026, including twins in the Bageni family, are a very encouraging sign,” said Jacques Katutu, head of gorilla monitoring.

Quick Smiles:

• Over 480 elephants have returned to the park to help clear invasive shrubs and restore the forested savannah.
• International aid and local tracking efforts have successfully scaled back poaching and protected vulnerable wildlife.
• Rare gorilla twins are developing well under the care of their mother within a large family group of 59 members.

These remarkable recoveries highlight the incredible resilience of nature when given the space and protection to heal.

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