Jan 16 2007
A long and difficult day
We achieved some of what we needed to do, and get little satisfaction from it. We were able to confirm that a second gorilla has been killed. There is a very real possibility that others were also shot in the last few days.
We set off early, Robert Muir, myself and six of my rangers. We were joined by two MONUC patrol vehicles. We picked up six Congolese regular soldiers (FARDC) at Rumangabo and headed out to try to make contact with Nkunda’s troops at Bikenge, where the gorilla killings were said to have happened. When we got the the edge of the FARDC’s zone of control, the soldiers left the vehicle and we continued on into no-man’s land without them.
At this point we received news on the radio that we hadn’t infact managed to get a message through to Nkunda, which was a setback - we didn’t know how the rebels would react if they saw us. We decided to press on cautiously, and entered the valley.
We drove past a rebel camp, entrenched less than 250 metres from where we were. They were observing us, seemingly a little surprised. We came to a line of trees, and just beyond that was Bikenge, our destination. The site where the gorilla’s remains were supposed to have been discarded was still about 500 metres away, but at that point we saw a group of over 20 rebel soldiers pacing down the hillside towards us. As we hadn’t been able to get a message across, the fair assumption was that they were not too friendly. We decided to move out fast, and retreated a couple of kilometres away.
This is where our plan B kicked in. We had sent in two of our trackers the day before and they had managed to get to the area and recover the gorilla’s head. It was a terrible thing to have to see. They joined us and we moved out.
We did this because we needed to identify the individual, and to bring back irrefutable proof that gorillas were being killed. We’ve learned a lot: The gorilla had infact been eaten for meat, his name was Karema, another solitary silverback that had been born into a habituated group (meaning that he had grown to trust humans enough to let them come to within touching distance). Above all, we learned that the remaining gorillas are extremely vulnerable - the rebels are after the meat, and it’s not difficult for them to find and kill the few gorillas that remain.
Daily news from the conservation frontline by Innocent and Diddy, and other Congolese rangers risking their lives to save mountain gorillas of the Virunga National Park in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
You have all shown great courage today. I’m speechless at what you have done and from reading the entry. More than a tear has been shed. We will continue to support you in any way we can.
La bonne chance et prend le grand soin,
All at Gearing Up 4 Gorillas
La bonne chance et prend le grand soin
It’s a real shame. These killers are really stupid: gorillas are a part of their heritage!
Good luck to the rangers to protect others gorillas. Your job is really necessary. Thank you.
Hi, I from france
It’s really sad…
Good luck to you
Merci de continuer chaque jour pour les gorilles, pour le Congo et les Congolais et pour tous les hommes qui ont oublié que le Paradis est devenu l’Enfer.
Prieres pour la paix et la prosperite a Goma, Kisangani, autour du Virunga et dans tout le Congo.
Merci encore.
I am disgusted and perturbed by the incident I have read about in your blog. I write to you from the US as I originally saw this story on CNN randomly this afternoon…after googling your name to find your blog, I am disgusted by the incidents. Our DNA makeup is so incredibly close to Monkeys in general. How revolting the image of eating another Human Being would be, let alone an animal that is nearly endangered. I pay tribute through this small reflection, and thank you for bringing your touch of humanity to those who can not speak but are similar to us.
E.M.G.A.E.
Thank you, merci, for all the comments, your concern is a big encouragement for us. I will let you know how it goes
I just can say you’re brave. I hope you fighting will give a chance to the nature. I’m impress by your work. I’m from france and i saw an article on Yahoo, continue to informs people about your necessary works.
Best regards
Thank you and your fellow rangers for all that you do. I saw the story on CNN and was compelled to read your blog and am amazed at all that you go through. Keep up the great work and know that there are those of us all over the world listening and watching.
My thoughts and prayers are with you. What you are doing is extremely brave. It saddens me to think of these poor animals being brutalized. It sickens me that it is by the hands of humans.
Merci de vous investir ainsi, souvent au péril de votre vie, pour tenter de sauver les derniers animaux sauvages encore en vie…
Votre blog a été mentionné par Yahoo aujourd’hui, un important moteur de recherche.
Pat
I am just amazed at what you guys are doing and so thankful you have this blog so people around the world can be informed as to what injustices are happening to these important animals. Be proud.
I write from the US as well. The destruction that the human species is wreaking upon the earth is truly disgusting. How much longer is it until only humans and livestock are left?
I wish you luck and godspeed. What you are doing is incredibly brave and selfless.
Good Luck in getting your message to the Rebel Leader that it is his responsibility to protect the Gorillas. They are in Nkunda’s backyard and the eye’s of the World will be upon him.
I am incredibly saddened, disgusted and alarmed that such beautiful and vulnerable creatures are being slaughtered. I can’t believe the destruction that man can create without afterthought. My hope and prayers are with you. Bless you and the work you’re doing.
ANY SOVEREIGN NATION THAT DOES NOT TAKE CARE FOR IT’S OWN WILDLIFE DOES NOT DESERVE TO HAVE A COUNTRY. THAT GOES FOR THE US TOO.
I saw this article on MSN and was also compelled to read your blog, I feel your sadness and wish there was something I could do? Is there? Please keep your head up and know that these are the bad apples spoiling the bunch and you are doing your best to inform them of the injustices brought upon these defenseless creatures that we have trained to trust us. Your doing selfless work in a selfish world good luck to you my friend and Godspeed.
I cannot begin to express the horrible grief that I feel in my heart when I read about what is happening to these wonderful, wonderful creatures. I know that you are trying to do everything possible to save them. May God bless you and all that you endeavor to accomplish.
Thank you for doing such a great job in such a dangerous and sad situation.
(from Australia)
How horrible. I had no idea it was so bad,it breaks my heart. I hate feeling so helpless in such an urgent situation. Bless you for dealing with such ignorance, greed and blatant disregard for life and the beauty that surrounds them. You are all wonderful people for what you do every day. I really hope the good guys win this one.
Words do no seem to be enough to express my gratitude for the work that you are doing. It is so disturbing to read about what is going on with these beautiful beings. I wish I could do something myself, Thank you, Thank you, All of you are hero’s.
It’s a shame. After ten years of self-destruction, these purposeless self-styled rebels have turned their aggravation to destroying one of the last remaining Gorilla habitats on earth. Is the rest of the word listening? Can anyone stop this? Thanks for your efforts in dissiminating this information to the rest of the world from one of the most dangerous places on earth. Remain strong.
Thanks so much for blogging about your work. I had no idea what was happening to gorillas in the Congo before I saw your blog. My heart cries out for these vulnerable creatures. I’m truly inspired by your efforts to save them. How sad that there are people who would look at a gorilla and not see a beautiful complex creature, but just something to kill and use for their own gain. Keep doing what you’re doing and may you stay safe!
Thanks from New Jersey
I am extremely saddened about the two gorillas that have been killed. It’s horrible to think that these wonderful animals actually trusted these humans only to have them shot and eaten. It really is a shame and most of all its sad that these heartless people did such a cruel thing. I’m pretty sure they know about the status of these gorillas and how little of them they have left. You guys truely are doing an amazing and courageous job, good luck and hopefully you will find these losers. I’m glad this has gotten at least some attention, the only way to make change is to make people aware of what’s going on right now.
This breaks my heart how humans will destroy something so beautiful, I am so sorry. Keep your heads up and God will guide you. I respect what you all are doing and you will always be in our prayers. Thank you.
I am extremely upset to learn about this issue…You are doing such important and amazing work. Please try to hang on and save these animals .I wish you could some how get more help to save the gorillas.What can the average person do to help???
They are eating themselves..Human kind has become so “abominable”. No human has the right, to wipe another species off of this planet.”They were here first”. I fear for this planet. And this planet, is bending from the strain.
It will not heal, until Mother Nature deals with it’s worst parasite, Human kind”…and she will..Ebola, and probably alot worse, are already here. Blessed Be
Mother Earth..take care of yourself first, and then, see about your children…
I am so upset about what is happening…I intend to relay your blog address and mission to all I know to help spread the word about these recent horrific events. Thank you for all you’re doing. May you be safe and protected. All the best.
My comment is merely an echo of those above, and I feel guilty that it takes cracking the top headlines of yahoo news to spring me to attention of these horrific acts. Thank you for your dedication to the protection of these wonderful creatures. I pray for the cause… from Kansas, USA
I feel the same as those who have written before me, but wanted to express the sorrow I feel for the Gorillas, your organization, and Africa. Bless you for your work. Very few people in this world have the courage and fortitude of someone like yourself. May you always be safe in your efforts and may the destruction end someday before it’s too late.
Can you use public donations to buy a different kind of meat to offer to the congolese responsible for eating the gorillas? If you gave them some meat once a week, could you bargain with them not to eat the gorillas?
You guys are awesome! I love what you’re doing. Keep it up. You’re a brave, strong bunch and every bit of effort you put into this cause makes a difference. Thank you for being a beacon of hope in all that pain and destruction.
The rebels deserve to be flayed and eaten too! They are barbarians who disregard all life including their own. I hope they are all dead soon!
I am an xray technician and see bones of humans everyday. It is amazing that the gorilla is so close to looking like us that whos to say they are not human? This is unethical treatment of a gentle species, this cannibalism needs to be stopped. How would these rebels feel if one of us ate their uncle or father, son? Whos to say that these gorillas are without a soul? I hope they meet some in the life after and have to explain.
I read of your tremendously brave work Paulin in the Independent, UK. and the sufferings you guys have to endore daily to protect these beautiful creatures. I can’t afford much but have made a donation. I may be wrong but I feel the rebels are literally eating themselves, they don’t deserve to live on this planet. I hope they meet Karema and his family in the life after!
I found this story via the Discovery RSS News Feed and I am just so appalled at these killings that I’ve just emailed quite a few people to ralley some support, no matter how small, for you guys. If all I can do is raise awareness, I will keep at it.
What you do is very dangerous, and I hope with all my heart that your talks with the leaders of these rebels will stop the killing of these wonderful creatures.
I saw the pictures on this blog and the details of what happened the other day on CNN. I can even begin to say how angry I am about this……The words I have in mind i wont say here. These individuals if caught, need to be hanged by the neck till dead. Another thing, is if donations and aid comes available, alternatives need to be negotiated with them to get them to stop this pathetic practice. However, these are basically degenerate criminals and really should be just shot on sight! All of them need to be eliminated before they eliminate the rest of the gorillas.
Many years ago I had the honour to work alongside Ian Redmond in his home town, he always praised the dedication of the guards, keep up the fantastic work, I am sure we all share your grief over the killing of these wonderful creatures
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