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Patroling the flanks of the Nyiragongo Volcano - one of Africa’s most active - can be challenging and full of surprises. But the Rangers of Virunga - led by Emmanuel and Innocent - carry out regular patrols of the area to eliminate the threat of deforestation caused by those making illegal charcoal. Watch this video to learn more about the difficulties of protecting the flora and fauna of Virunga National Park… and see footage of one of Africa’s most active volcanoes that stands at 10,410 feet and has a 0.7 mile wide lava lake!

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That Silverbacks compete for control of a family by fighting? These fights are called interactions: they are nasty, brutal, sometimes quite long - they last anything up to three days – and very formal, at least at first.

Kabirizi, Kabirizi Family. You can Guard Kabirizi here.

If Silverbacks meet and become aggressive then their display will follow this sequence: rising onto two legs; throwing vegetation; chest-beating with cupped hands; one-legged kicking, sideways running; two-legged to four-legged movement; slapping and tearing vegetation; and then thumping the ground with palms to finish.

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Suena and Poplap - the 2 subadult chimps that were seized in January after being found in filthy conditions in Goma withi nsufficient food and water - are thriving in their new surroundings at the Lwiro Primate Rehabilitation Centre near Bukavu.

Suena & Poplap are now inseparable - a truly joyous friendship has developed

Suena & Poplap were moved to Lwiro back in April, after a massive effort by
the Gorilla Doctors, ICCN and others to get these chimps to a better
place after they were abandoned by their keepers along with 3 other chimps
and 2 monkeys. I was in Lwiro on Tuesday this week - and was just amazed to
see how changed both chimps were.

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Today 1,002 prisoners in Goma’s city jail now cook their food with fuel briquettes. This was possible thanks to the support of our partner Mercy Corps who has donated 3 fuel efficient stoves, and a private Congolese donor who buys fuel briquette sacks every month.

The inmates now use briquettes instead of charcoal

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The Solitary Silverback Gorilla Mukunda had been ravaging the crops of local villagers living around Virunga’s Gorilla Sector for two months. We were starting to fear for his life, as his systematic crop-raiding destroyed the livelihoods of the local communities who depend upon their agricultural produce to survive.

The Rangers had to take action to get Mukunda - who had strayed over 5km from the forest in search of maize and bananas - back to the park.

Watch this video to see the daring intervention by Rangers and the Gorilla Doctors to re-locate Mukunda back to the forest. (The video starts with the HUGOs trying to chase Mukunda back to the park).

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Just how alike the Mountain Gorilla is to the human being? Mountain Gorillas share 98.6% of our nuclear DNA. But you don’t have to go to a laboratory to see the likeness. You can see it in the forest. Almost everyone who visits the gorillas comments on the eerie sense of empathy they feel towards these majestic creatures.

Lubutu, Rugendo Family, born 12 July 1998, son of Rugendo

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This is leopard dung… in Virunga National Park. The photo was just emailed to me by Norbert - and it was taken by a Ranger in the foothills of the Rwenzori mountains - a 3-million year old mountain range also known as the Congolese Alps - in the north of the park.

As you can see the dung is dark in color and is a similar size to dog faeces. Leopards also have very sharp teeth which helps a lot with digestion which is why the dung comes out quite fine!

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We have TODAY launched the Guard a Gorilla certificates - which means that those of you who are already Guarding a Gorilla for just $10/month will receive your high-res certificate with a unique photo today via email.

How do you Guard a Gorilla?

1. Go here to see the list of Mountain Gorilla families.

2. Choose the family (or the Solitary Silverback group).

3. Click on the individual you wish to guard.

4. Hit DONATE NOW (the big red button).

The rest all goes through Paypal, and within 3 working days you will receive your high resolution certificate of the gorilla you are protecting via email. You can print this out - give to friends as a gift, stick on the fridge, pin it up at work… Here are some samples:

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When we launched the fuel briquettes to help save Virunga’s forests, we decided to actually sell fuel briquettes in the same way as charcoal in Goma town. So in terms of packaging and volume, a sack of fuel briquettes (40 kilos) looked identical to a sack of charcoal (50 – 70 kilos). Now this has changed… and we have a new look with recycled packaging!

Balemba holds up one of the new bags – the logo was designed by www.jellylondon.com and Philippa.
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