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Protecting the Mountain Gorillas of Virunga
Rangers Deal with Increased Number of Wildlife Snares
Snares such as this one maim and kill wildlife and are nothing short of torture for the animals caught in them
Along with the great news of the boom in newborn mountain gorillas comes the sobering news of increased poaching in the Mikeno sector. While carrying out the census, rangers found there to be a marked jump in the number of wildlife snares being set. During the fall hostilities between government forces and M23 — when it was too dangerous for Virunga’s rangers to patrol certain areas — poachers took their chances and went into the forest to lay new snares. When rangers finally made it back into the Mikeno mountain gorilla sector, they discovered and destroyed 156 snares.
Community scout, Ndunviriye dismantling a snare in the Mikeno mountain gorilla sector in December 2012
Ranger Sekibibi Bareke with a collection of snares just removed from the forest
Snares are particularly dangerous for baby gorillas and smaller animals such as bushbuck. A few years ago, some of you will remember a post about Virunga rangers that found a baby gorilla that had been slashed across the face by a snare. Vets from MGVP were able to reach the baby, stitch the laceration, and give a dose of antibiotics, but the wound was too much for the young gorilla and he died of infection a few days later. With all the recent newborns, rangers have to double their efforts prevent such a tragedy from happening again. When you make donations to Gorilla and Wildlife Protection on this site, this is one of the main activities that you are supporting.
The devastating effect of a poacher’s snare on a baby mountain gorilla
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3 Responses to “Rangers Deal with Increased Number of Wildlife Snares”
Thanks to all the rangers, and the hard work you are doing.
Good to know that the rangers were able to get back in and destroy all these snares. It’s bad for the gorillas and other wildlife, of course, but it does make sense that the snares would increase in times of increased conflict. This discovery of all the snares just proves the necessity of having your rangers patrolling in the park whenever possible!
This is such a valuable work you are doing. Not only for the gorillas but also for all who follow Virunga and can see that much good can be done if it is just - done. And you’re doing it. Thank you!