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Protecting the Mountain Gorillas of Virunga
Baby Gorilla from Virunga National Park Confiscated from Poachers
Late Sunday night, August 7, a group of Congolese and Rwandan men were arrested by Rwandan police as they attempted to smuggle an infant gorilla into Rwanda from neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to the poachers, the gorilla had been captured near the Bukima area of Virunga National Park, which makes it likely that the infant is a mountain gorilla. The poachers kept the gorilla for about six days, feeding him bananas and sugar cane until bringing him across the border to Rwanda.
Veterinarians from Mountain Gorilla Veterinarian Project (MGVP), partners of Virunga National Park, took the infant gorilla to the orphan care facility of Kinigi in Rwanda where they will perform a full health check. The veterinarians estimate the age of the gorilla at approximately 8 months, and say the young male seems to be strong despite suffering from a bad cough and runny nose.
The Director for Virunga National Park, Dr Emmanuel de Merode said today, “the infant mountain gorilla was recovered and the suspected poachers arrested is testimony to the success of the collaborative efforts by the Rwandan Authorities. Nevertheless, the incident is unacceptable and deeply worrying for us, and reflects the enormous pressures faced by our rangers, eleven of whom have been killed this year protecting the park. Efforts are underway to strengthen the protection measures through de-snaring, increased anti-poaching, and tight collaboration with the local community.”
Rwandan police notified Volcanoes National Park Chief Warden Prosper Uwingeli following the poachers’ arrest, not knowing the origin of the gorilla. MGVP vets were called, arriving at the jail in Gisenyi around 10 pm.
“When we walked into the jail, one of the poachers almost immediately sneezed right on the baby, who was asleep in a tight, tense ball on the bed,” Dr. Jan Ramer said. “He will go through a 30 day quarantine period, and hopefully will return to DR Congo at Virunga National Park’s Senkwekwe Center where he can join orphan gorillas Maisha, Kaboko, Ndeze and Ndakasi. We are cautiously optimistic for this little guy - he is tense, but accepting of people, and is eating. All good signs for his eventual recovery.”
Photos courtesy of MGVP
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12 Responses to “Baby Gorilla from Virunga National Park Confiscated from Poachers”
Oh No! how sad he got separated from his family. I hate the thought to what happened to his family. May this baby survive and live healthy.. and his prosepective will be good.
Thank you for all you do.
I am also concerned about his mother and the silverback. I wonder if he is from a hibuated or non-hibuated family.
Every one is precious - thank goodness he was found in time. My thoughts are with him and with his saviours. Thank you.
What’s the chance of getting him back into the wild?
If he survives the next couple of weeks, his prospects are pretty good. It is likely that he well join Ndese, Ndakasi, Maisha and Kaboko at Senkwekwe, although that has yet to be decided. It’s too early to say wether he’ll be released back into the wild, but he’ll be very well looked after at Senkwekwe.
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It’s possible to know who are her parents with DNA test? If yes, I want to help.
Lucia, the Gorilla Vets will be doing the DNA tests with the Max Planck Institute in Germany. The main purpose is to be absolutely certain that she is a Mountain Gorilla. It is likely that we will put her with the other orphaned Mountain Gorillas at the Senkwekwe Centre, which is almost certainly the best home for her as we will be able to watch over her health and welfare very carefully.
God bless you all for saving these vonderful animals. You are amazing people. Its horrible what poachers are doing with these innocent creatures. I don’t understand how this could happen in the 21. century. This must be stopped.
I hope this baby will survive and will have a happy life. Thank you and bless you all for your hard work.
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