Gato means “small” in Kinyabwisha, a local language here, and she was given this name because she was so little when she was born. Gato used to live in the Rugendo family, when Rugendo himself was chief of the family (Senkwekwe was to become chief later on after the death of his father). Gato became part of Humba’s family when he split from Rugendo in 1998. She has been with Humba ever since – so she is loyal.

Gato with Kanyarwunka, one of her offspring. Humba rests quietly next to them.

She had her first baby, Mukunda, in 1995 – and we think she was probably about 8 or 9 at that time which means that we estimate she was born circa 1987. You have to remember we only started identifying mountain gorilla individuals here in 1998, so we are missing a lot of information.

Gato is always docile, certainly not aggressive like Magori. She has also often been with babies when we have visited her, so that is also why she keeps herself to herself. However her playmate in the group is the Blackback Nyakamwe. They have a fun time when they get together to fool around.