Update: Missing Female Mountain Gorilla Found Dead

In late July, when four gorillas of the Rugendo Group were found killed in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, two other gorillas -- a mother and her four-month-old baby -- were unaccounted for. At the end of last week, the International Gorilla Conservation Program (IGCP) confirmed that rangers patrolling the Park found the remains of the adult female, named Macibiri.

This casualty brings this year's total mountain gorilla deaths to eight. The killings are a devastating blow to the population of mountain gorillas, which is estimated to be fewer than 720 individuals. The search for the infant, Ntaribi, continues; however, the likelihood of finding the a 4-month old infant alive without maternal care is improbable.

The DR Congo's wildlife and protected areas authority, ICCN, held a meeting on July 27 with key partners in the region, including the IGCP. The meeting aligned all partners to develop a clear and effective emergency plan. ICCN is deploying its Force Avance to bolster gorilla protection in support of local rangers in the Mikeno sector of the Park, the section mountain gorillas inhabit.

IGCP and other partners will provide logistical support to the rangers which includes training, field equipment, rations, and other needs.

A man seen on July 23rd at the site of the gorilla killings has been detained by DR Congo authorities for questioning.

Help Stop the Killings

Formed in 1991, the International Gorilla Conservation Program (IGCP) -- a coalition of the African Wildlife Foundation, Fauna & Flora International, the World Wide Fund for Nature -- ensures the conservation of mountain gorillas and their afromontane forest habitat. Increased security and better equipped park rangers are vital to prevent additional killings. Please make a donation to help support the combined gorilla conservation efforts of IGCP and AWF. You can help make a difference today.