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Protecting the Mountain Gorillas of Virunga
Life in Lulimbi
We flew another supply run for Lulimbi, to bring more equipment and food for our rangers who are holding the position. Lulimbi is still largely surrounded by FDLR militias, who continue to control the entire area.
This morning’s supply run
The security plan for Lulimbi is as robust as we can manage with the resources we have. Gilbert, our head of security, has spent days working with the rangers building up the defences and the rangers know what their doing.
The tactical charts for Lulimbi’s defence
Getting the supplies to our rangers is all important. It’s often thought that tactics and military strategy wins battles, but in reality it usually comes down to logistics. Our rangers have been completely cut off in Lulimbi because all the roads are controlled by the FDLR militias and our boats have had to undergo major repairs. In this regard, we have a number of incredible people who make it all possible. The team who prepare the food are key to keeping up morale. They live the same dangers as the rangers, but aren’t able to protect themselves when Lulimbi comes under attack. They’re entirely dependant on the rangers for their own safety.
Another is Ricky our electrician, who’s spent the last two weeks in Lulimbi building up a solar system so that we no longer need to fly in fuel for the generator.
Ricky, having installed a kilowatt of solar energy for charging radios and other equipment …
… and giving the final touches to the solar power system in Lulimbi’s Ops Room
We’re getting a little stronger as time goes by. We’ve managed to carry out the necessary repairs on our boats and have finally established a supply line on the Lake, just to the north of Lulimbi, so we can get the rangers more supplies and reinforcements by boat. This means that we no longer need to carry out as many expensive and complex air supplies, which is fortunate because the aircraft has to go in for maintenance very soon.
Augusting Rwimu, overlooking the subjects in his care
Our staff in Lulimbi have begun to organise their lives for the long haul. Whilst they remain on high alert, we’re going to have to hold out for a long time and life will have to become liveable. It was good to see them quietly confident and somewhat relaxed when they weren’t on duty. Augustin Rwimu is the commanding officer. He’s very much a Virunga ranger, having served in this park for over two decades. The Lulimbi operation is most definitely the greatest responsibility of his career so far.
Easing the tension
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9 Responses to “Life in Lulimbi”
Great report and so happy to see the smiling faces of men who could be completely forgiven if they looked miserable. What a wonderful team you have, and may they see the day when they can once more go about their duties in the wider area without fear of attack or reprisal. Well done to you all.
I don’t understand…where are the government forces?? Why isFDLR attacking you? you are just park rangers protecting the wildlife of the national park. If they attack, what will they try to do? Kill the rangers and take over the park? I don’t understand what the heck is going on in Kenya…but I will continue supporting your park.
Thank you for your courage, you are protecting a treasure that is precious to the whole world.
What game are the rangers playing in the last photo?
Allie, while waiting for the exact answer, take a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mancala for the general idea.
Good question. Thanks Timi. I used to play it a lot with my housemates at university, but we called it Bow, which I think is the name used in Malawi. I’ve since forgotten the rules, but I’ll get back to you on that…
Ahh .. how well I remember the games of Bow. What a different time that was. I never remember seeing you in uniform back then (you probably had it on under your civilian clothes). The idea of Bow is to capture as many stones as possible. You spread the stones around the board and then take turns to scoop up all the stones from one of the holes and deposit around the holes. If the last stone in your hand drops into a hole that is empty then your go is over. Other wise you get to keep going ….. Wait, that isn’t really explaining the game at all …. It turns out it is much easier to play than explain in writing. Oh well. We will have to get together somewhere tranquil and far from the war and play a quiet game or two!
Thanks for the story. It is amazing how relaxed the men look, given the circumstances. They are so dedicated and brave and a real credit to their nation (and the world, for that matter).
Can you explain why the rebels are attacking your men? Are they just looking for a base of operations. In the past, it seemed as though the two sides were happy to by-pass the rangers. Previously, the threat was more of an accidental hit or threat to the wildlife. Has somethign fundementally changed?
I was very surprised by reading this article:
http://www.lalibre.be/actu/international/article/756944/comment-on-vit-en-zone-m23-immobilisme-et-couvre-feu-meurtrier.html
(Sorry, it is only in French)
Is it true that MONUSCO refuses to supply Lulimbi’s rangers ?
We call the game igisoro - fun, fun, fun!
As always, thanks for all you and the rangers do to protect this wonderful park.
Hello, This game calls “IGISORO” in Kinyarwanda, very funny if you can tell. No so easy.
Bye