Insecurity Continues to Threaten Gorillas in DR Congo

In the past several days, the ICCN (the Democratic Republic of Congo's park and wildlife authority) ranger post stations of Bikenge and Jomba in the Virunga National Park have been attacked by armed groups. Park rangers' weapons and electronic equipment were confiscated by the invaders.

The conflict occurred in the Bikenge-Mikeno sector of the Park between governmental forces and a group led by General Nkunda. The Mikeno Sector is in the south-eastern section of Virunga National Park and is home to the endangered mountain gorillas in the DR Congo.

This southern sector of the park is the area where the killings of four mountain gorillas took place in late July of this year. A fifth gorilla was later found dead.

The area has been hit by a period of insecurity that culminated August 30 when a ranger was tragically shot dead in Kabaraza - a ranger post 95km north of the North Kivu provincial capital, Goma - and another ranger seriously wounded. It is still not known who was responsible for this.

Following the attacks, field operations have been postponed until the security situation improves. The rangers from Bikenge and Jomba have left the area with their families and are now settled in the park's headquarters.

An International Gorilla Conservation Program (IGCP -- a coalition of African Wildlife Foundation, Fauna & Flora International, and World Wide Fund for Nature) representative is meeting the park's chief warden to get more detailed information on the situation, consider what the next steps might be and how to provide aid to rangers and their families.

Security efforts had recently been stepped up in the southern sector of the Virunga National Park and a 33-strong 'Advance Force' of specially trained rangers was active in the field, conducting regular patrols to protect the gorillas and the Park itself.

IGCP remains concerned for the mountain gorilla family groups ranging in the area:

The Mapuwa family in Jomba - 12 individuals and a lone silverback named Ruziraboba

The Lulengo family in Bikenge - four individuals;

The Rugendo family in Bikenge - five individuals and two lone silverbacks named Pilipili and Mareru.

IGCP hopes that the general security situation will improve, so that the rangers who are now resettled in the park's headquarters can return.

AWF, IGCP and our partners will report any further developments as information becomes available.

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