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Protecting the Mountain Gorillas of Virunga
Rangers are being evacuated, finally, from Rwindi station following days of fighting
I am pleased to let you all know that I just spoke to Serge and Safari, our 2 drivers who have been stuck up at Rwindi (see map here) since Saturday with the 47 Rangers and their families right in the middle of the heavy fighting.
They are finally on their way back to Goma in a UN escort.
This has been quite a tumultuous few days for all of them. For now the Rangers and their families will be greeted at Bulengo, where our other displaced Rangers are living in the camp.
What a relief we were able to get them out safely.
Thank you also for your continued support and donations. It means a great deal to all the Rangers on the ground that people actually know what is going on around the world.
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This website was funded by the European Union and the Prince Bernard Nature Fund.
This website was funded by the European Union and the Prince Bernard Nature Fund.
15 Responses to “Rangers are being evacuated, finally, from Rwindi station following days of fighting”
Good to hear. Please stay safe, you guys are amazing. And know you’re in our thoughts.
Emmanuel, I’m very happy to hear that the Rwindi rangers, their families, and Serge and Safari are safely on their way to Bulengo with a UN escort. I very much admire your relentless work to keep the rangers and their families safe during these very difficult and dangerous times. Iris
Great news Emmanuel. Must have been a horrendous few days.
Good luck to everyone on their way to Bulengo.
The Rangers just got to Bulengo! It is dark and windy, and they will have to sleep in a sort of tarp hangar for the first night as they cannot get registered etc. But at least they are now safe.
Great news! It is indeed a relief to know they are now safe. Our thoughts and prayers remain with you all. Thank you all for dedication to the rangers and their families. We are all hoping for a peaceful resolution soon!
Thanks for the update. Glad everyone has arrived safely. I feel bad that they have to sleep under a windy tarp, but you’re right Sam, at least they are safe. Lisa
This is such great news! grateful that they are safe!
Thank you for updating us on this…as always my thoughts are with you all always!
Philippa
Is no one willing to go and check on the gorillas!? Come on, this isn’t what Dianne Fossey would have done. SOMEONE needs to risk everything for what is so important to us!
Hi David. Emmanuel and all the Rangers are as desperate as all of us to get back into the Gorilla Sector and see how these wonderful animals are doing. Unfortunately the security situation is still volatile and unstable, with continued fighting between rebels and the army. We cannot risk Rangers getting shot and killed; we have already lost too many. ICCN is continuously lobbying to gain access, so we hope to be able to report good news sooner rather than later. Thanks.
Emmanuel, I’m really confused. Who are you supporting? Who are the good guys and who are the bad guys? It sounds like the the Congo Military, the Mai Mai and Laurent Nkunda’s CNDP are all bad. The ICCN rangers who you work for killed the gorillas last year - to date nobody has been jailed for it. Have I missed something because I am disgusted with the situation on the ground, I want to help but there are so many organizations out there… but who on earth are the good guys?
Ned, Emmanuel is out of town right now so I will answer in his place. He will be back online in a couple of days and I will show him your comment.
I understand your confusion and frustration, but if we wish to protect Virunga as a World Heritage site and its mountain gorilllas, we need to plough on despite the obstacles. It boils down to the fact then when there is a war going on, involving multiple armed groups and fragile alliances between these groups, in a national park, it is impossible to talk about good guys and bad guys. While there are guns in the park and violent fighting, this war remains the number one threat to Virunga’s flora and fauna and it is impossible for the Rangers to do their job.
Indeed a former ICCN director has been accused of orchestrating the gorilla murders, but judicial process is still going on. Until the courts have reached a decision, no one knows who killed the gorillas. We must respect the decision of the courts here.
The Rangers are not good guys - they are fantastic guys Ned. I have been working here for only 2 years but am regularly amazed by their attitude to the challenges and problems they face. Even after the last 3 weeks of fleeing, being displaced, shot at, kidnapped, beaten up (you name it) the vast majority of these guys have a smile on their face. And quite simply, all they want to do, is go back to work.
Samantha, thank you for having written exactly what I was just now thinking, and with more lucidity, knowledge and articulacy that I could ever muster. You, Emmanuel, the ICCN rangers and the whole of the Virunga NP team have my wholeheartedly support and admiration for the work you cheerfully keep on doing during these very difficult times. Iris
David O and Ned — I am not sure how closely you have followed this blog or the one that started on Wildlife Direct, but the rangers and others risk their lives every single day trying to protect Virunga and its precious resources. Many, many rangers have been wounded and killed in the line of duty and we must not only respect their memory and committment, but must do everything in our power to recognize the almost insurmountable challenges, and the enormous sacrifices these men and their families face every single day. Asking them to run through bombs and guns is asking them to commit to certain death…and I don’t see how that is helpful to anyone, especially the gorillas. We all feel your frustration, but I am sure no one as much as the rangers and all who work to protect the world’s last great apes. To echo Samantha, not good guys, fantastic guys…I personally don’t believe there is anything I will do in my life that will ever compare to all they have accomplished, and will accomplish to save this beautiful species.
Yes, It’s a cliche, but the rangers and their families (and the foundation/park workers)are our heroes - and no where else in the world right now are the destinies of peope, “our cousins” and and the planet itself so heartbreakingly intertwined. When the fighting stops you will again show the world how to live in harmony with nature and our fellow animals. You more than deserve the help that is coming to you. You deserve peace and the support of the entire world…This blog is astounding in its professionalism, immediacy and wonderful pictures.
Thinking of you all with thanks and best hopes,
Debbie
I agree with Samantha!
These rangers are fantastic!
Amidst all this constant terrible conflicts these rangers and their families suffer - they continue to do what they can to help towards the protection of the gorillas, chimps, parks etc - I am sure the situation for wildlife in DRC will be so much worse off if not for them and the field team! Samantha all you guys out there are fantastic and I so wish i could actually come out there to give a hand somehow!!