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These rangers need new waterproof boots.

Each Virunga ranger is issued one pair of rubber boots. Although these cost only $8 each, it’s money we don’t have readily available. The Virunga region experiences heavy rainfall. Mud and wet feet are the norm, and our rangers carry out patrols in rough terrain from lava fields to thick jungles in pouring rain and sloshing through an abundance of mud.

We need to buy a complete new supply of these boots for all the rangers, plus a few extra. We have 273 rangers and are hoping to buy 300 pairs of boots so we have extras for emergencies. At $8 a pair this is only $2400. When we ask for help, it’s often for operational costs that are difficult to find the money for. Large grants usually go toward projects, not the daily costs of keeping the park running, so purchasing items such as boots, uniforms, sleeping bags, tents, and rain gear for our rangers is difficult. We are asking for your help.

I understand that boots are not sexy or exciting, but by donating $8 you can supply a ranger with one of his most important pieces of kit, especially on patrols.  We need only 300 people to give $8 each to buy these boots…

…and make this guy (and all our rangers) very happy.

TO DONATE: At the top right of this blog post, choose the amount you want to give and click the red donate button.

Yesterday, throughout the day, fighting continued in and around our patrol posts of Bikenge and Jomba.  UN combat helicopters fired missiles into the presumed rebel positions on the hills of Cianzu and Runioni, right on the edge of the park.  Early this morning, the Congolese army began a sustained assault of the area using  heavy machine guns and what sounded like 120 mm mortars.  These are 30 pound shells, that can cause very significant damage.

We have had reports that our ranger post at Bikenge has been severely dammaged.  We’ve been pulling our staff out of the gorilla sector positions.  Bukima was evacuated last night, just as we received information of rebel infiltration into the area.  There are, as always, all sorts of rumours on what the rebels are going to do next.

The map tries to retrace the events of the past month.  There was heavy fighting in Masisi in the west two weeks ago, at Kilolirwe and Kitchanga on the edge of the park (1).  The battle was effectively won by the Congolese army who forced the rebels into the park and across towards the Rwandan border.  They were intercepted by Congolese army positions at Kibumba (2) and it is believed that the rebel forces were split into two after fierce fighting that also caused massive population displacement as the people of Kibumba fled to Goma.  After the fighting, one column moved east up into the mountain gorilla sector then on to Runyoni and Bikenge in the east of the gorilla sector (3).  The second column is more mysterious.  Some believe it may have gone north to try to get to the Ituri via Uganda.  If that’s the case, then there is a possibility that this second column might have been responsible for the attack on our patrol last week, in which three of our men were killed (4).

The CNDP rebel movement appears to be somewhat split.  A new movement called M23, under Col Makenga are in the gorilla sector. Makenga was based there during the 2007/8 war, and knows the terrain very well. Bosco’s forces are difficult to pin down, but may also be with Makenga, although the two are not exactly on friendly terms.  Nobody seems very clear on where Bosco is at the moment.  He is wanted by the International Criminal Court in The Hague for war crimes, and his fate will certainly determine the outcome of the conflict.

At this stage, we are securing our staff, and trying to keep the work going as best we can .  Most of the park is unaffected by the fighting, and work is continuing as usual.  We’re very worried about the mountain gorillas and for the populations living around Bukima and Bikenge.

UN Soldiers set up a base at Rumangabo outside the park headquarters.

Map of the Mikeno Gorilla Sector.

Many of you have expressed your support and sent us gifts to help Paris’s widow and children after the terrible events this week.  We are incredibly grateful.  I have often written in the past of the difficulties that the families experience after the death of ranger, and it is only because of the support that we receive that we can alleviate some of that suffering.

I wanted to write a few words on how we use your gift.  It’s a very stressful and difficult period for the family, so immediately after the death, we take charge of all the funeral arrangements, which costs about 400 dollars.  This includes food for the families and friends of the deceased ranger, who often come from far away.  After the funeral we give the widow 300 dollars to help her cope with the immediate challenges.  We then work out what is known as a “decompte final” which is a lumpsum payment that is typically about 1,500 to 2,000 dollars and is intended to help a widow tackle the difficulties of rebuilding her new life.  To make sure that everything works, we re-establish her husband’s bank account in her name, which is why it takes a few weeks to sort all of this out.  It’s very important, because it’s the only way for us to be sure that she gets the money.  Thereafter, we transfer 30 dollars a month to the widows so that they can cover some of the basic needs, such as food health and their children’s education.  The monthly payment is not a lot, but it makes a huge difference.

We laid Paris to rest in a quiet place by the park station at Rwindi.  Hundreds of people came, including a priest and a preacher.  We were able to say a few words in memory of an incredibly courageous life.

This is a brief note to explain recent events in the Gorilla Sector.  The CNDP militias attacked the Government positions on the edge of the gorillas sector late last night.  The violence was protracted and intense and the militias managed to take two hills, Cyanzu and Runioni, both between our patrol posts of Bikenge and Jomba.  We withdrew our rangers from the two patrol posts, which are currently abandoned.  We are keeping an eye on the area from the air and thanks to the contact that we have with members of the local community.  Two gorilla groups are in that area, Rugendo, and Lulengo.  It is of deep concern, and we have to hope that the gorillas will stay away from the fighting.  Likewise, populations have been streaming from that area to safety down in valleys.

Today, there was further fighting, and we received preliminary reports that the Government forces may have regained control of the two hills.  Meanwhile the main CNDP rebel forces are approaching the town of Bunagana.

With great sadness, I’m sharing with you the news of the death of one of our rangers, Paris Paluku, and two Congolese soldiers, Sebutu and Mandapa, who were working with us to protect civilians passing through the park on the Mabenga to Kabasha road.

All three were killed instantly by sustained machine gun fire at short range when their 15-man patrol fell into an ambush as they were securing the area where two public transport vehicles had been attacked and looted on Tuesday night.  The enemy, numbering around 100, were possibly the largest number of militias we have ever been confronted with in a single attack.   We are still unsure exactly who they were, as there are currently four distinct militia groups in the park.

We organised the funerals this afternoon, with his family and friends, and the whole community in Rwindi. Paris will be remembered as one of the most courageous men to have worked in the park.  He was always at the head of any patrol, which put him at risk and ultimately cost him his life.  He played a key role as an assistant instructor in the training of all our rangers.  He leaves a wife and two children.  Any donations to the widows and orphans over the next few weeks will go towards supporting the family he has left behind.

In the early hours of yesterday morning, a rebel army of reportedly around 1,500 men under the command of Bosco Ntaganda crossed the Park from the west and entered the Gorilla Sector.  Bosco Ntaganda was indicted by the International Criminal Court for War Crimes, and took up arms last month following widespread rumours that the Congolese Government were about to arrest him.

Bosco has a long history in the region.  He was Laurent Nkunda’s second in command during the 2007-8 rebellion.  In early 2009, he betrayed Nkunda, and in the process broke the back of the rebellion.  Since then, he has served as a general in the Congolese army, but remains hugely controversial because of his alleged crimes in North Kivu and in the Ituri region.

Just before entering the Gorilla Sector, they crossed a detachment of Congolese military which provoked a violent confrontation.  This panicked the population in the village of Kibumba, and has provoked a large scale population displacement towards Goma.  This is sadly reminiscent of the situation we suffered four years ago, and we may see the re establishment of internally displaced people’s camps (refugee camps) on a very large scale.

On our side, we’re preparing ourselves.  The gorillas are not immediately at risk, but we have several units in the forest that are in danger.  There is a patrol of 12 of our rangers in the forest just east of the area where the rebels are believed to be.  This patrol has been cut off between the Rwandan border and the rebels, so they’re stuck for now.  They have 48 hours of rations left, so we are worried.  Also our rangers at the patrol posts of Bukima, Bikenge and Jomba are at risk, so we’re taking measures to keep them safe.

Needless to say, we made the decision to close the park to tourism until the situation is safe again.  Apart from that, our park staff are continuing their work much as before.  Hopefully, things will work out in the coming days.

For more photos from a Dutch News Site, click HERE

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Welcome to the second in a series of gallery photos from our readers who responded to a call for photo donations. Today’s photos are from Morgan Trimble who contributed many photos, and since I couldn’t choose just a few, I’ve decided to let her have the whole show today.

This is the Rugendo family, dear to our hearts. This family only has seven members and it’s been an uphill battle for them following the massacre of 5 members of the family in 2007, including the impressive head of the family, silverback Senkwekwe. Last year was the first time the family grew to a size big enough to allow tourists to visit them. They are surprisingly habituated considering what they went through, and tend often to come right up within several feet of you before you can back away.

I’ve included a few extras of the erupting volcano as well. Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos, Morgan.

Below are a series of photos of mom with her baby climbing all over her. I love the various expressions. Human moms…I’m sure you can relate.

Silverbacks Bukima and Kongomani quite often walk right up to you, or run past within a meter. It’s quite the adrenaline rush.

Some of our awesome rangers who lead the gorilla treks. John, on the right, is a 2nd generation ranger - his father retired last year. He hopes his son will choose the same profession.

This is the mountain gorilla graveyard at the Virunga National Park headquarters of Rumangabo. Senkwekwe’s grave is here, the former patriarch of the Rugendo family who was murdered in 2007 along with 4 adult females.

Bukima Tented Camp, where most gorilla treks begin, had a stunning view of the erupting volcano between November 2011 and March 2012.

The Nyamulagira volcano eruption of 2011-2012.

To see more of Morgan’s stunning photos, click HERE to go to her wildlife page. Please remember that her photos are copyrighted and shouldn’t be reproduced or used elsewhere without authorization.

Interview by Ranger Gracien Sivanza

Christian - Virunga National Park Ranger

What is your full name, Christian, and what do you do for Virunga NP? My name is Christian Shamavu Cinyunyi and I have been a park ranger in Virunga National Park since 2003. I have been the Chief of the Canine Unit since March 2011.

Tell us about yourself. Are you married? I was born on May 8th, 1976 and yes, I am married. My wife’s name is Christina Mamy Shamaviu and we have three children, ages five, two and a half, and eight months. Their names are Deborah Cinyunyi, Bénédiction Cinyunyi,  and Daniel Cinyunyi.

Does your wife support your work with the bloodhounds? Christina loves my work and cares a lot about the dogs. If one of the hounds is not feeling well – as Stella was in the beginning - she becomes very worried and will ask me to spend the night at the kennel so I can care for them around the clock.

Ranger Christian and Dodie heading out on deployment in Lulimbi, with Ranger Sedrick providing security.

Which of the bloodhounds do you team up with? The name of my hound is Dodie. I started working with her in January 2012 because her previous handler left the Canine Unit. I love my beautiful Dodie. We are a good team. She is very gentle as well as very brave. She and her sister Lily are much alike. At a glance, they look identical, but I am able to tell her from the others by the white on one of her front feet. Her sister has two white feet.

Dodie interrupts Dr. Marlene Zähner to show her love for Christian.

Please tell us about your work as a ranger My main charge is to protect the flora and fauna of Virunga National Park for not only the people of Congo, but for the entire world. I love my job and when I see animals such as the gorillas living in safety, I feel as though I am realizing my dreams. I am not afraid to risk my life to protect Virunga’s mountain gorillas and other wildlife.

Christian with the baby gorilla he and fellow rangers rescued from animal traffickers — an exceedingly dangerous endeavor.

Can you tell us about the Canine Unit? The K9 unit is made up of two parts: the handlers and their dogs and a dedicated ranger for each team who provides protection during our missions. There are five bloodhounds and six handlers (one handler is acting as a back-up ). The current teams are:

Joseph and STELLA, David and SABRINA, Sedrick and LILA, Gracien and LILY, and me of course, with my bloodhound, DODIE

What has been your most memorable experience so far? I would have to say our first official deployment, when Dodie and I worked a 7km trail across a river and through the savannah from the carcass of a poached elephant. This was the first time I got to witness what this breed is capable of doing. It makes me both proud of the dogs and of my work.

How has the support been for this project? Very good. Thanks to strong support from Director Emmanuel de Merode, instructors Dr. Marlene Zahner, police officers Swen Bush and Marcel Maierhofer, and many donors, such as Zurich Animal Protection Association, the program has made great progress in a short amount of time.

Are you anxious to catch poachers using the bloodhounds? Yes, I am very eager to help put an end to the slaughter of Virunga’s wildlife. It has got to stop.

Is the work of a K9 team dangerous? Yes, the work can be dangerous, but we do our best to minimize the risks to ourselves and the dogs by traveling with a highly trained security detail. Unfortunately some risk is inescapable because we often encounter heavily armed poachers – especially when it comes to elephant poachers who are part of the organized crime rings that are all too common throughout Africa.

What is working with the bloodhounds like when you encounter other animals? The bloodhounds are hunting dogs, but they are so well trained and focused that they ignore other animals while working a trail. This is very important when working in a National Park. The dogs must always stay under control.

What are your objectives for the next six months ? My goal is that all five hounds and their handlers will become operational and have proven successes in stopping poachers.

Christian and fellow ranger Gracien ending the day on a nice note at Lake Edward

Jonathan Stark is on a mission to raise up his Jersey community in support of Virunga National Park.

Many people have asked how they can support the park in a meaningful way. We believe wholeheartedly that a single individual can be the spark that makes a difference. Jonathan Stark is one of these people.

Jonathan wanted to help Virunga. He lives on the small island of Jersey between England and France and works for the Durrell Wildlife Park. With the help of our Virunga staff, Jonathan created the “Jersey Friends of Virunga” with the mission to gain a commitment from the Jersey community to help protect a specific sector of Virunga National Park.
The goal is to raise enough money for the annual running costs of the Mikeno Sector – home of our mountain gorillas - by encouraging local businesses and individuals to make an annual pledge and raise approximately £64,300 per year.

The new Jersey Friends of Virunga website. Click on the picture to go to the website.

Last Wednesday, the Jersey Friends of Virunga (JFoV) kicked things off with publicity in the local papers, the launch of the new website, and an event at Durrell that included an introduction of the project and an auction to raise money. Sarah Bendelow, who is from Jersey and works for Virunga National Park, introduced the Jersey Friends of Virunga concept of uniting the island community in support of the rangers of the Mikeno sector, where 200 of the worlds 800 remaining critically endangered mountain gorillas live.  The auction of Virunga merchandise, many of which traveled all the way from Congo, made a nice profit for the park.

Sarah Bendelow introducing the concept of Friends of Virunga to the people of Jersey.

Jonathan was very happy with the evening launch of the project.  “All in all it was a great night, raising around £600 for the park whilst helping to spread the message of Virunga to a wider audience. Like I’ve said before, all great journeys must begin with a single step and after the interest generated by the opening night I think we can attract real support from Jersey for this amazing national park.”

If you would like to start a similar project in your own community, please contact us by responding below in the comments, or sending us an email at  info at gorilla.cd. The park is facing a financial crisis. Imagine if hundreds of people like Jonathan, like you, were able to raise up supporters for the park in their own community. You could change the world from your own home.

Our two active volcanoes: Nyamulagira in the foreground, with Nyiragongo in the distance.

This is for all our readers interested in our volcanoes. There’s been some recent unusual activity.

As most of you know, Nyamulagira is one of our two active volcanoes. It’s the smaller, but more active one, erupting in various places around the mountain about every two years. The most recent eruption, you will remember, began in November 2011 and ended in February 2012. That eruption took place on a flat area to the east of the mountain.

Looking inside Nyamulagira crater, now showing some significant new activity.

In March, the top of Nyamulagira started smoking from inside the former lava lake. Our volcanologists are showing particular interest in this new activity. Here are their observations (see series of photos below that show the volcano from 2010 to now) :

• On February 24^th, 2012, the seismic network of the OVG recorded a significant series of “explosion quakes”. It was determined that it originated within the Nyamulagira crater, and was due to gas explosions.
• Since that day, the activity at the November eruption site (northeast of the volcano summit) decreased significantly while activity inside the Nyamulagira crater increased.
• At the beginning of March, an extremely strong smell of SO₂ (sulphur dioxide) was detected. This simply means that some magma closer to the surface fractured the crust up within the crater and started to degas.
• In April, the activity inside the “pit crater” was more active with a cylindrical hole in the middle where the degassing/steam is coming out.  The “pit crater” was the site of the Nyamulagira lava lake up to the dramatic eruptive event of 1938-1940, when all the lava drained out and the lava lake disappeared.

Conclusion?

There are two possibilities being speculated by the volcanologists:

1. It could be related to a continuous draining of magma from below the summit crater up to the November north-east eruption site, or…
2. It could be the start of a new eruptive phase, possibly related to the formation of a new lava lake!

We like lava lakes. We’re hoping for option 2.

Here are a series of photos beginning November 2010: