KIGALI, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Rwandan authorities announced on Wednesday that the country is set to name 22 baby gorillas born in the past 12 months during a ceremony scheduled for Oct. 18.
The ceremony, locally known as Kwita Izina, in its 20th edition will be held on the foothills of Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda, according to the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
During a press conference in the Rwandan capital of Kigali, Michaella Rugwizangoga, chief tourism officer at the RDB, said Kwita Izina has become a crucial platform for highlighting the country's commitment to wildlife and environmental protection.
"This year's Kwita Izina marks a significant milestone as we celebrate 20 years of this flagship event," Rugwizangoga said. "We will be naming 22 baby gorillas, and we are excited to welcome past and new namers from around the world, whose names will be revealed in the coming days."
Data from the RDB showed that since the ceremony's inception in 2005, at least 395 baby gorillas have been named. The annual event is part of Rwanda's broader endeavor to protect wildlife and natural ecosystems.
According to the government agency, these efforts, alongside sustainable ecotourism, have helped Rwanda achieve remarkable growth in its tourism sector, which generated more than 620 million US dollars in revenue from 1.4 million visitors in 2023. ■
