Twenty Two baby mountain gorillas were given names at the 2016 Kwita Izina. The 12th Kwita Izina was held at the Kinigi Grounds in Musanze District (Ruhengeri) in the northern province of Rwanda. The 6 hour event attracted conservationists, tourists, tourism authorities, government authorities and local people. People from over 28 countries attended the ceremony including those coming from as far as Africa, America; Asia, Australia and Europe.

The colourful ceremony was based on a theme “Celebrating 12 Years of Gorilla Conservation” and it indeed involved celebrations, praises and sharing the sucess story of mountain gorilla conservation. The Chief Tourism Officer (CTO) of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) passed the attendants through the history of protecting the endangered mountain gorillas to the current status of gorilla conservation.

The naming ceremony, the main highlight of Kwita Izina started at around 11.00AM and 22 baby gorillas were given different names by different people including conservationists, local artists, local people and tourists.

The Guest of Honour at the Event, President Paul Kagame closed the ceremony with remarks concerning local communities protecting the natural resources. He also asked RDB to extend Kwita Izina to the newborn lions of Akagera National Park.

this year’s naming ceremony attracted guests from 28 countries

Among guests who named baby gorillas include Mary Ann MacDonald-an American renowned Gorilla tracker, who sealed 91 first Gorilla tracking today.

She named a baby gorilla ‘Ntamupaka “no border” which she last photographed last year when it was just 7 days old. MacDonald has been tracking Gorillas for the past 13 years.

Foreigners visiting Rwandan Parks have been hailing the country for environment conservation policies.

For Peter Fearnhead, CEO of African Parks “Rwanda is the continental leader in conservation.”

For the 3rd time, this year’s naming ceremony saw twin baby gorillas named following others that were named in 2005 and 2012 respectively.