Ndakasi: The Fallen Mountain Gorilla
A Harrowing Beginning: Ndakasi’s Tragic Start in Virunga National Park (April–June 2007)
On April 17, 2007, Ndakasi, a female mountain gorilla, was born in the forested landscape of Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Ndakasi was part of the Kabirizi gorilla family group, which consisted of her mother, Nyiransekuye and the resident silverback, Senkwekwe.
Only two months after her birth, Ndakasi’s family was attacked by armed militia groups. The silverback gorilla, who was, at that time, the head of the family and several other members were likely killed in the attack. The following day, the rangers found Ndakasi clinging to her mother’s lifeless body; it was one of the most horrifying images anyone can conjure when thinking of the consequences of civil (or armed) conflicts for endangered mountain gorillas.
The team of dedicated rangers from Virunga had arrived just in time. In the group of rangers was Andre Bauma, a lifelong gorilla caregiver and hero of gorilla conservation. On the first night following Ndakasi’s rescue, Andre held the baby Ndakasi tightly against his bare chest for warmth and comfort. This moment would be one of many representing the bond they would develop for the rest of their lives.
This first night was not only the beginning of Ndakasi’s recovery but also an important inflexion point of consideration regarding wildlife conservation work in a period of conflict, and the remarkable human drive.
Intensive Care and Early Rehabilitation: Ndakasi’s Fight to Survive
The day after Ndakasi was rescued, the infant mountain gorilla was flown to a temporary care facility in Goma with oversight by the Gorilla Doctors, a group of veterinarians dedicated to maintaining endangered gorillas in Central Africa. Ndakasi was less than 18 inches long and weighed just over five and a half pounds. Ndakasi was critically ill. Within two weeks of arrival in Goma, Ndakasi was diagnosed with severe pneumonia. This pneumonia placed her life in immediate jeopardy.
With limited resources, the Gorilla Doctors rapidly developed innovative, lifesaving interventions for Ndakasi. They fabricated an oxygen tent for her fragile lungs, began intravenous fluids, and started antibiotics to treat her pneumonia. If it were not for these emergency interventions and round-the-clock care, we would have lost Ndakasi, who, despite her illness, displayed a remarkable spirit and desire to fight.
Soon after, another orphaned mountain gorilla, a six-month-old named Ndeze, was rescued in a similar tragic scenario. The pair of young gorillas were matched together and immediately formed a close and lasting friendship for life.
By December 2009, Ndakasi and Ndeze were relocated to the newly constructed Senkwekwe Centre, the world’s only sanctuary for orphaned mountain gorillas. Located inside Virunga National Park, the Senkwekwe Centre was named after Ndakasi’s father, Senkwekwe, the fallen silverback who died defending his family. The Senkwekwe Centre would be their long-term home: a haven where they would spend every day under the stewardship of conservationists who cared for them.
Establishing Friendships and Family Relations.
At the Senkwekwe Centre, Ndakasi was able to establish intimate ties, not only with their human caregivers, but with other orphans too. Ndakasi maintained their friendship with Ndeze. In 2010, higher (older) orphans named Maisha and Kaboko joined the group. Eventually, Ndakasi, Ndeze, Maisha and Kaboko learned to coexist, supporting and caring for each other- an unlikely but siblings developing their own civilisation.
In 2012, Kaboko died after a period of illness, and, fortunately for Ndakasi, the team caring for Kaboko made sure Ndakasi and the rest were safe amidst a difficult security situation in the region.
Later on, a quick introduction to a male gorilla named Matabishi happened, and the unit was able to assimilate him quite efficiently, under Maisha’s behaviour management.
Global Spotlight and Reputation
They knew Ndakasi was stunning. She also starred in the critically acclaimed documentary Virunga (2014), which discusses some of the conservation efforts in the park and some of the hardships gorillas must face.
In 2019, Ndakasi and Ndeze “photobombed” a selfie taken by ranger Mathieu Shamavu, standing on their rear legs with their bellies and faces visible while beaming smiles. The photo took the internet by storm as a shared reminder of the close relationship between humans and great apes.
Her friends were not surprised; the caretakers who cared for Ndakasi said that orphans often habitually imitate human behaviours.
A Quiet Goodbye from the Battle against Illness
Andre Bauma and the Gorilla Doctors rescued Ndakasi and took care of her for what turned into a journey of over 10 years. In 2021, Ndakasi began displaying symptoms of many chronic illnesses, including but not limited to weight loss, hair loss, and appetite loss with gastrointestinal issues.
Even though she had been to the veterinary clinic 18 times for monitoring and eight times for the clinical intervention that involved antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, vitamins, fluids, and other treatments, including round-the-clock support care, her disease progressed.
On 26 September 2021, Ndakasi died in the arms of Andre Bauma, a heart-wrenching yet peaceful end to a life full of love and survival.
Legacy and Impact
The Story and Impact of Ndakasi: A Symbol of Conservation for the Mountain Gorilla
The story of Ndakasi the Mountain Gorilla was much more than a mere word or symbol and represented the resilience and hope of an endangered species. Ndakasi’s story not only symbolised her resilience and hope against precarious odds but also served as a rallying point for the global community to advocate for improved mountain gorilla conservation action. Ndakasi was born in the wild and was orphaned by violence. Ndakasi’s story touched hearts all over the world and showcased the need for better wildlife conservation outcomes in the Congo and globally.
It wasn’t just Ndakasi’s story, but the word of conservationists that resulted in increased numbers of endangered mountain gorillas. Between the 1980s, when the population was less than 200 individuals, 720 individuals were counted in 2007, and an estimated 1,063 individuals in 2021, a 47% increase in numbers. This is an extraordinary story of conservation success and an example of what can happen if we work to protect gorillas with concerted international effort.
Ndakasi’s life and her famous photograph with her caregiver, Andre Bauma, added a personal and emotional aspect to the conservation movement Ndakasi’s death was reported in the world’s major media, including BBC, CNN, National Geographic, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, and it was not only a time of mourning but also a time of thankfulness. It highlighted just how much work has been done to conserve mountain gorillas from extinction.
Bauma had rescued Ndakasi as an infant when her family was killed by militia and remained with her for the next 14 years. Bauma’s tribute illustrates the depth of their relationship:
“It was an honour to help and to love such a wonderful animal, and to know Ndakasi had gone through a traumatic experience quite early in her life. I loved her like a kid, and I could always find her personality really funny every time I saw her.”
Ndakasi’s story reflects survival, loss, but also compassion, perseverance and the ability to bond with animals.
Considerations surrounding the Story of Ndakasi.
Love as a Source of Resilience
Ndakasi, the cherished mountain gorilla of Virunga National Park, faced a great loss and trauma early in her life. Her mother was shot during a militia raid in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Luckily, it was the work of humans—specifically Andre Bauma, the dedicated caregiver and former ranger—that saved her life. This relationship between human and animal illustrates how love and compassion can also be sources of resilience for animals in wildlife rehabilitation.
The Empathy of the Deepest Kind
Ndakasi’s gorilla selfie with Bauma, which has now gone viral, became a public representation, a public image that communicates a deeper emotional connection. Although this could have simply been a photo, instead it became a shared experience among millions. It was not just a gorilla in the picture but a being showing humour, personality, and vulnerability. The selfie invited the viewing public to see their species working with, and laughing with, another species in the spirit of cooperation, demonstrating how empathy can help guide the future of wildlife conservation awareness.
Connection-Based Conservation
Ndakasi was more than a symbol; she was a living example of conservation that is based on connection. Her narrative enabled people from all corners of the world to connect emotionally with an endangered species in a manner that statistics and facts may not. She exemplified how we come to interpret, connect, and, ultimately, take action to protect mountain gorillas and other endangered wildlife.
A Hopeful Legacy
Although she experienced tremendous agony at the beginning of her life, Ndakasi’s story transitioned into one of resilience, compassion, and public engagement. Through her international media coverage, from BBC, CNN, National Geographic, to The New York Times, her story transitioned from an endangered mountain gorilla to one of a conservation symbol, and then a sincere symbol of what we need to remember of our efforts to protect. Her legacy is ultimately one of hope, reminding us of the emotional and ethical obligation we have to conserve natural history.
Conclusion
The tale of Ndakasi, the orphaned mountain gorilla’s rise to one of the most cherished icons of contemporary conservation history, is more than a story: it’s a deeply intertwined tale of loss and healing, isolation and friendship, vulnerability and power.
Ndakasi’s transition from tragedy to global emblem of compassion and wildlife advocacy illustrates the true power of conservation storytelling, reminding us to recognise the value of all beings, and that we must persist toward a future that allows gorillas and other species not just to survive but thrive.
