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Protecting the Mountain Gorillas of Virunga
Ranger Rescue Operation A Success - But 2 Did Not Make It
The rescue operation yesterday was a success in that we were able to rescue the 12 Rangers with whom we had made contact. Eddy and I rode the motorbike about 15km north of Goma and then walked about 5km into the forest… and there they were, on top of a hill.
They were extremely happy and relieved to see us - and very thirsty, hungry and tired.
Bareke, my assistant, has a long story to tell of the 54 hour ordeal, so I will give you the bare facts.
The Rangers started off on Sunday at 9am as a group of 14 - and also with 4 members of the military who were also fleeing the rebels. They walked through the park, often trying to emerge onto the road, but heard many bombs and mortars and so had to go back into the forest. With no water they tried licking rocks to quench their thirst, and also tried sucking up the moisture from the mud, by putting a piece of clothing between their mouth and the moist mud.
Ndamaherezo Sindani yesterday after reaching safety. He has been a Gorilla Tracker for many many years up at Bukima and I have worked with him many times. He was at Rumangabo HQ since being evacuated from the Gorilla Sector in September 2007.
Of the 14 who set off, 1 Ranger - Sebagenzi - gave up and said he was too tired and the others simply did not have the strength to carry him. Another Ranger - Bitege - was abducted by a group of military, who wanted to use him as a porter.
So of the 53 Rangers who were at Rumangabo when the HQ was attacked 12 have made it to Goma and are in the camp with their families.
Bareke, yesterday, after arriving at the camp in Goma and being reunited with his family
We are now trying to ascertain the whereabouts of the other 41. So while yesterday is a big relief as I did not feel good about Bareke and the other Rangers roaming Virunga, we must now focus on the others. I feel especially desperate for Sebagenzi and Bitege.
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8 Responses to “Ranger Rescue Operation A Success - But 2 Did Not Make It”
Innocent, I am very happy you and Eddy were able to rescue 12 of the rangers; it was so very brave of you! I hope that all the others are safe somewhere and will be soon reunited with their families. Iris
Innocent & Eddy
It took colossal bravery to go north of Goma and it is just such a relief that you found the 12 rangers & they’re back in relative safety of Goma. I hold my breath for news of all of the others.
They are in our thoughts every minute, here in UK.
Congratulations on your rescue and on your brave heart and caring spirit. Thank you for taking the time amidst the chaos, danger and extraordinary effort to keep us informed on the situation. I am keeping you all in my daily thoughts and prayers and am going to see what I can do about raising additional funds.
So glad you found these 12 Rangers. Hopefully the others will be found soon, as well.
[...] A moving account of a rescue operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo: “The rescue operation yesterday was a success in that we were able to rescue the 12 Rangers with whom we had made contact. Eddy and I rode the motorbike about 15km north of Goma and then walked about 5km into the forest… and there they were, on top of a hill.” Posted by Ndesanjo Macha Print Version Share This [...]
[...] A moving account of a rescue operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo: “The rescue operation yesterday was a success in that we were able to rescue the 12 Rangers with whom we had made contact. Eddy and I rode the motorbike about 15km north of Goma and then walked about 5km into the forest… and there they were, on top of a hill.” Posted by Ndesanjo Macha Print Version Share This [...]
[...] 53 rangers that had to flee into the forest were rescued and brought to Goma. Innocent Mburanumwe described how tired, thirsty and hungry they were when the Goma team found them: The Rangers started off on [...]
[...] che si erano rifugiati nella foresta e sono stati portati in salvo a Goma. Innocent Mburanumwe ne descrive [in] la stanchezza, la sete e la fame, quando sono stati trovati dal team di Goma: I ranger sono [...]