Jacques Katutu, head of gorilla monitoring in Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), first saw the newborn twin mountain gorillas at noon. The tiny male infants clung to their mother, Mafuko, in a forest clearing. Twin births in mountain gorillas are extremely rare and survival is tough. Katutu said, "Watching Mafuko holding two babies was both moving and filled me with responsibility, given the twins’ extreme vulnerability." Since spotting them on January 3, rangers have monitored the mother and babies daily. Specialist vets stand ready to help if needed. The twins are healthy but infant mortality remains high in this species, with a quarter dying from disease, trauma, or infanticide. Mafuko had twins before in 2016, but sadly none survived more than a few days. The babies belong to the Bageni family group, Virunga's largest, which has 59 members. Conservationists call this a milestone in a rare success story. In the 1970s, just 250 mountain gorillas remained, feared nearly extinct. Thanks to years of care, numbers passed 1,000 in 2018, prompting a status downgrade from critically endangered to endangered. Despite this, Virunga remains dangerous for rangers, with more than 220 killed over the past 20 years due to rebel groups and militias. Mafuko herself survived hardship. Her mother was killed when Mafuko was four, but she has become an experienced mother. Katutu said, "She is attentive to their needs. This is encouraging, although the situation remains delicate." Free and natural care is the priority while rangers keep a close watch on breastfeeding and health. Vets from groups like Gorilla Doctors have helped prevent many deaths linked to human threats. Half the population growth is credited to their work. Katutu added, "Neither infant will be named until their survival looks more certain. Initial observations show they are calm and maintain good contact with their mother. Their behaviour is consistent with newborns in a good condition, while remaining very vulnerable."