In a shocking and sad turn of events, 21-year-old silverback Umushikirano (Rano), leader of Titus group, was found dead Monday morning when Fossey Fund trackers arrived to the group. There were no visible signs of injury or illness and his body was carried down the mountain and transported to the Gorilla Doctors headquarters, where a necropsy was conducted by Drs. Jean Felix and Noel to try to determine the cause of this young silverback’s sudden death. Through the necropsy, Gorilla Doctors determined that Rano suffered a perforation of the small intestine and acute peritonitis, though we cannot be sure of the cause of the perforation. Histopathology will be conducted by our Veterinary Pathologist, Dr. Linda Lowenstine, which will provide further insight into the cause of death.