Bisoke

Last Christmas my daughter adopted a baby gorilla on our behalf. Over time the Dianne Fossey Gorilla Foundation  has sent me me periodic updates on how our baby gorilla is growing up and developing a personality and making friends.

These updates remind me that we are all a part of a much bigger world and how important it is to tread carefully and care for our planet. Here is a snapshot from the other side of the world. The words are not mine, they arrived in an email letter with these photos.

Happy birthday to Bisoke, who turned 3 in August! As with all 3-year-olds, she is starting to gradually gain confidence and independence. We expect her to spend more time in the company of peers and other adults, exploring and practicing self feeding, as her mother, Kurinda, will likely soon be preoccupied with another baby. Kurinda has indeed started weaning Bisoke, which has caused some whimpering from the little one, but Kurinda compensates for this by carrying Bisoke around and spending lots of extra time with her daughter.

Bisoke’s best friend is Umwihariko, and she is always ready to play with him. She is also learning from 3-year-old Karame how to be more independent as they move away from their mothers and spend more time near the silverbacks of the group. Bisoke is no longer the youngest in the group — in August, Umwihariko’s mum gave birth to another baby. 

Mark Kent

Principal