gorilla.cd
Protecting the Mountain Gorillas of Virunga
Rebels Attack Ranger Patrol, Killing Three
It is with a heavy heart that I must once again report that Virunga National Park has lost two more of its own. Early this morning in Mwiga Bay, an area just west of the fishing settlement of Vitshumbi on Lake Edward, a ranger patrol was ambushed by Mai-Mai PARECO rebels. Two park staff plus one government soldier assisting them were killed instantly. Three other government soldiers were seriously wounded - one critically. After the gunfire died down, five of the attackers were found dead and two wounded rebels were captured and taken to a nearby hospital. Attacks such as these have been on the rise since the recent conflict erupted, but none have been so deadly. With government forces focused on M23 in the southern part of the park, the armed groups in the center of Virunga have dramatically stepped up efforts to poach for ivory and bushmeat, fish illegally on Lake Edward, and loot the local population.
The devastation wrought by such attacks sends shock waves through the families of those who die protecting the park. This is particularly the case in this incident. Virunga Ranger Paluku Matembela, killed in today’s attack, leaves behind a 6 month-old son and a 14 year-old daughter. Even more tragic is the fact that the children lost their mother only 6 months earlier so they are now orphans. In the days to come, we will tell you more about Ranger Paluku and the others.
At times like this in the past, Virunga’s global family has embraced those left behind and I sincerely hope we can all come together again to support those who have paid the ultimate price for defending Virunga National Park. Even in peace-time, life in Eastern Congo is incredibly hard, so it is difficult to put into words what a ranger family goes through when they lose the head of their household, a husband, father, and usually a family’s only income.
We would like to raise $1200 for each of the two families to pay for funeral and other expenses, plus help through the tough year ahead. We would also like to raise enough money to provide each family with $50/month for the next five years as part of the Fallen Ranger’s Fund commitment to support the families of our staff killed in the line of duty. If you would like to be part of this, please use the donate box at the top right of this blog post to help these two families. What you give will make a dramatic difference in the lives of these people.
We have buried far too many of our rangers in the last 15 years - over 130 since 1996.
Leave a Reply
-
RECENT DONATIONS
- 24 May 2013Open donation
Unregistered Donor 10 $ -
23 May 2013Open donation
Megan 15 $ - 23 May 2013Protecting Park Area 204
Unregistered Donor 25 $ - 23 May 2013Protecting Park Area 208
25 $ - 23 May 20132 x Ranger Support
40 $ - 23 May 2013Open donation
Unregistered Donor 100 $ - 23 May 2013Open donation
Unregistered Donor 120 $ -
23 May 2013 Multiple items
Rosemary M 50 $ - 22 May 2013Protecting Park Area 37
25 $ - 22 May 2013Open donation
Unregistered Donor 10 $ - 22 May 2013Protecting Park Area 6
Unregistered Donor 25 $ - 22 May 2013Widows and Rangers Fund
Unregistered Donor 30 $ - 22 May 2013Protecting Park Area 38
scott l 25 $ - 22 May 2013Protecting Park Area 28
25 $ - 22 May 2013 Multiple items
Unregistered Donor 150 $ - 22 May 2013Widows and Rangers Fund
Unregistered Donor 30 $ - 22 May 2013 Guarding a Gorilla
10 $ - 22 May 20132 x Gorilla and Wildlife Protection
Unregistered Donor 40 $ -
21 May 2013Protecting Park Area 75
Katy A 25 $ - 21 May 2013Open donation
Unregistered Donor 25 $ - 21 May 2013Open donation
Unregistered Donor 25 $ -
20 May 2013Protecting Park Area 76
Kevin 25 $ - 20 May 2013 Multiple items
Unregistered Donor 40 $ - 20 May 2013 Guarding a Gorilla
Unregistered Donor 10 $ - 20 May 2013Monthly Support
Unregistered Donor 35 $ - 20 May 2013Protecting Park Area 169
25 $ -
20 May 2013Open donation
Tatjana D 10 $ - 20 May 2013 Multiple items
Unregistered Donor 40 $ - 20 May 2013Protecting Park Area 216
Unregistered Donor 25 $ - 20 May 2013Open donation
Unregistered Donor 25 $ -
20 May 2013Supporting Jomba School
Eugene Martin F 30 $ - 20 May 2013Supporting Gatovu School
Eugene Martin F 30 $ - 20 May 2013Supporting Bikenge School
Eugene Martin F 35 $ - 19 May 2013Open donation
100 $ -
19 May 2013Protecting Park Area 117
Anna L 25 $ -
19 May 2013Protecting Park Area 39
Bill W 25 $ - 19 May 201320 x Virunga's Surveillance Aircraft
Unregistered Donor 20 $ - 19 May 2013OPEN DONATIONS
Unregistered Donor 50 $ - 18 May 2013Open donation
Unregistered Donor 20 $ - 18 May 2013Widows and Rangers Fund
Unregistered Donor 30 $ - 18 May 20132 x Gorilla and Wildlife Protection
Unregistered Donor 40 $ - 18 May 2013Open donation
Unregistered Donor 25 $ -
18 May 2013Protecting Park Area 133
Janice T 25 $ - 18 May 2013Protecting Park Area 131
Unregistered Donor 25 $ - 18 May 2013Support Andre and the Gorilla Orphans
Unregistered Donor 10 $ - 18 May 2013 Multiple items
Unregistered Donor 20 $ -
17 May 2013Protecting Park Area 218
Thierry 25 $ - 17 May 2013Monthly Support
Unregistered Donor 15 $ -
17 May 2013Widows and Rangers Fund
stefanie r 30 $ - 17 May 2013Open donation
Unregistered Donor 40 $
- 24 May 2013Open donation
-
-
News from Congo- Congo has chance for peace, UN ready to enforce: Ban - Reuters
- Children as young as 8 working in Congo copper mines in Democratic Republic ... - Toronto Star
- Congo, Rwanda Must Commit to Peace for World Bank's $1 Billion - Bloomberg
- Hydropower megaproject to dam River Congo - New Scientist
- Combat mission to Congo to be deployed urgently, says UN chief - Gulf Times
- M23 rebels announce ceasefire for UN chief's Congo visit - Yahoo! News
- World Bank pledges $1bn for DR Congo and neighbours - BBC News
- UN troops in DR Congo 'within months' - The Australian
- On joint visit to DR Congo, UN and World Bank chiefs voice support for latest ... - UN News Centre
- Climate change in the Congo Basin will be different from the rest of Africa ... - Reuters AlertNet
This website was funded by the European Union and the Prince Bernard Nature Fund.
27 Responses to “Rebels Attack Ranger Patrol, Killing Three”
Such horrible news. My thoughts are with you all.
So terrible … And all to protect the animals . Thank you for giving so much of yourself so the ones that cannot speak or defend themselves are saved . I’m so sorry for your losses . Rip.
I am so so sorry to hear this. I will make a donation shortly. These rangers deserve nothing but admiration & honoring.
So sorry for your loss. Thank you for the great work you do.
So sorry and saddened to hear about this senseless death. I am praying for the families of these brave rangers. A better day is coming, and your sacrifice will not be for naught. Thank you all for your Service.
What a terrible nightmare. My deepest sympathy to the families of the rangers, especially to Ranger Matembela daughter. .
My condolences to the families. So sorry for the loss of life. So thankful for the effort of these brave patrols. I thank them each and every one - and especially these three who have given their all. They are better than me. Peace.
So sad, so sorry :’( my thoughts with you …
My deepest condolence to the families. Terrible and shocking news. My thoughts are with you.
Desperately sad to hear the news - thinking of you all x
Really sorry to hear this news. I will be speaking with my wife about starting a regular donation to support these families.
[...] #1 Two rangers and a soldier killed by ivory poachers 1 Minute Ago Rebels Attack Ranger Patrol, Killing Three | gorilla.cd [...]
My thoughts are with the rangers.. RIP
This is a tragic new, I’m deeply sorry. They should be honored and remembered as the heroes they were.
All this happens because of extreme poverty,most of them created by first world countries and rich fuckers ths want ivory handcrafts in their homes,SHAME ON ALL OF THEM!!!
Very sad..we spend our lives protecting nature for the benefit of all yet some of us compete in destroying the very persons spearheading the conservation. RIP..Rangers. SAD!
Such a tragic thing to take place. My thoughts goes to everyone involved.
Horrible and regrettable news! We cry out for justice! All our thougths and prayers are with the families, friends and colleagues of these brave men! R.I.P.
My heart is heavy for those involved and the world.
When will we learn? I am praying for their families
and for the conservation efforts.
The whole world is with you. Your family is in our thoughts.
Terrible news, will do what I can to get the word out and help you meet your goal for the families left behind.
Very sad news. Our thoughts are with you all. Rip
RIP…..
from Malaysia….
Will this ever end?…..
This is a tragic new, I’m deeply sorry.God protect rangers!
this is really tragic and heartbreaking …
[...] the attack on a Virunga ranger patrol on Lake Edward last week, we buried our men who died and the soldier who worked alongside them at [...]