I last blogged on Monday about the missing Rangers. If you recall there were 53 Rangers on the 26th October at Rumangabo when the Park HQ was seized in the early hours by the rebels. In the confusion Rangers fled north, south, east and west.
Some walked north to Kiwanja and Rutshuru (where the fighting has started up again between the rebels and the Mai Mai). Some traveled south towards Goma, walking for up to 5 days with no food, water or shelter. And others fled into the forest for 2 or 3 days until the fighting subsided and they made their way back to Rumangabo to see what was happening.
There is still much confusion as to the whereabouts of some Rangers - cell phone batteries ran out long ago and some Rangers are still on the move. For example 5 more arrived at the camp yesterday in Goma, from Rumangabo. And we are expecting 2 more today.
Another Ranger makes it to the camp and is reunited with his family.
But we feel confident that not only have there been no Ranger fatalities, but that our Rangers are accounted for. They are not all safe as some are very exposed in Rumangabo, and up north the situation is also deteriorating. But for now at least, through various phone calls, conversations, and sightings - we think our Rangers are okay.
5 Responses to “All Gorilla Rangers Now Accounted For - But Not All Safe”
Hello Diddy! I’m very happy to hear that all rangers are accounted for and hope they will be soon reunited with their families. Please let them know that I very much admire their courage. Iris
So glad to hear that they are all safe! I hope the gorillas are ok too!
That is great news. Obviously, its only a good start and we are all hoping that you will soon be able to report that all of the Rangers are safe and home. But in the meantime, this is good news.
What is the situation at the park HQ?
Hello Dylan. The rebels still occupy Rumangabo, the park HQ, and we are hoping there will be a political solution to the war. In the meantime we cannot go back there as it is not safe. We are very frustrated.
hello people
i really admire the efforts you make under such harsh conditions. my thoughts are with you and i hope no further damage to animals, forest and people will be done!
keep your head up!!! greetings from slovakia
a.