Mareru’s father Rugabo died violently; he was shot by poachers during the Great Lakes Refugee Crisis in 1994. His death left his sons, Lulengo, Pili-Pili, Mareru and Nvuyekure, to look after the family. The brothers couldn’t keep hold of the females and all four of them became solitary. Mareru has fared worse than the others - only occasionally has he been able to wrest some females away from another Silverback and even then not for very long. It’s not for want of trying. He has had truly some epic battles with Pili-Pili and he gave Mapuwa the scar on his nose. For some time he shadowed Kidole, and he kept watch over her body after she died. But he’s still out there all by himself; Virunga’s loneliest solitary.

He often hides and sometimes is a little aggressive.