The Wood Foundation’s Chairman, Sir Ian Wood KT GBE, was honoured to be asked to name a baby mountain gorilla during a Kwita Izina ceremony in Rwanda.
At the ceremony in Kinigi, Masanze, attended by Rwanda’s First Lady Jeanette Kagame and Prime Minister Eduoard, Sir Ian shared that he named his gorilla Ubusugire, which means ‘Integrity’. He said:
“The name I give him is Ubusugire, which means Integrity. This name was chosen to celebrate the efforts of communities and conservationists to protect and ensure the integrity of Rwanda’s gorillas and the biodiverse national parks.”
Other namers honoured this year included Prince Charles, Dr Frank Luntz, Didier Drogba, Naomi Schiff, and Uzo Aduba. Twenty baby gorillas were named, as well as a new family.
Sir Ian said:
“It is a great honour in Rwanda to be asked to name a baby mountain gorilla. Ubusugire is part of the Pablo mountain gorilla family and was born in December 2021. The Wood Foundation is heavily involved in the development of Rwanda through our work in the tea industry and I am proud to have been asked to be involved in this ceremony.”
Kwita Izina highlights a centuries old tradition in which Rwandans name their children in the presence of family and friends. In 2005, Rwanda began officially naming mountain gorillas in what has become a global celebration of nature. By giving a name to these majestic animals, we give them the value they undoubtedly deserve. The ceremony is an opportunity to thank the communities that live around Volcanoes National Park, our research partners, vets and the dedicated conservationists, rangers and trackers who protect the gorillas. Over the last 17 years, 354 mountain gorillas have been named. (Visit Rwanda)