Feb 12 2007
Gorilla Families Being Tracked… but 3 Silverbacks and an Adult Female Still Missing…
Since my last post we have been continuing the patrols in the Mikeno sector of Virunga National Park. The Gorilla families in Bikenge and Bukima are now being followed on a daily basis… but we have still to locate the solitary Silverbacks Ruziraboba, at Jomba, and Mareru, at Bikenge. The Lulengo couple are also missing… So that makes four Mountain Gorillas unaccounted for, 3 of them Silverbacks.
We are desperately trying to find them. As part of the daily patrols we conduct additional searches, but so far nothing. I will keep you posted on events. We are of course worried that they may have suffered the same fate as Karema and the other Silverback in January.
Since all the problems last year, when patrol posts were looted and Rangers forced to flee, illegal charcoal burning has increased in the area. We really need to confront this – the charcoal burners systematically destroy the forest. This another challenge for us, which we are facing daily!
We have also found traps set by hunters and poachers - these people are not looking to hunt Gorillas, but other mammals. However, Gorillas get caught in them too, so we must also look for snares when we are patroling.
But the situation is gradually improving – I am very happy to report. And we even had 4 North American diplomats come and visit the Gorillas the other day!
Thanks again for all your support in protecting these wonderful creatures!
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
Worry,worry,worry. I often wonder:where they are,what they’re doing and how safe they are…BUT, with you’re updates lately I feel the rangers are AWESOME in your tracking and protection efforts. I am soooo proud of your dedication! Will look forward to news on the missing. “thanks” for posting!!!
[…] I have been asked many questions about the four missing mountain gorillas by concerned friends around the world. As you’ll remember, during the rebellion in December and January, two gorillas were killed. Subsequently, my Rangers carried out extensive searches to establish the safety of the remaining gorillas. Back on February 12, I reported on the status of the Gorillas: The impact of the rebellion had been 2 confirmed killed and 4 missing (3 Silverbacks and 1 female). // // <!– D([”mb”,”u003cspan classu003dq>nnu003cp>u003cfont sizeu003d”3″ faceu003d”Times New Roman”>u003cspan styleu003d”font-size:12.0pt”> u003c/span>u003c/font>u003c/p>nnu003cp alignu003d”center” styleu003d”text-align:center”>u003cfont sizeu003d”3″ faceu003d”Times New Roman”>u003cspan styleu003d”font-size:12.0pt”>u003cimg borderu003d”0″ widthu003d”211″ heightu003d”297″ altu003d”ranger sam 3 mar 074.jpg” titleu003d”ranger sam 3 mar 074.jpg”>u003c/span>u003c/font>u003c/p>nnu003cp alignu003d”center” styleu003d”text-align:center”>u003cfont sizeu003d”3″ faceu003d”Times New Roman”>u003cspan styleu003d”font-size:12.0pt”>Rangers climb up into the mountains every day u003c/span>u003c/font>u003c/p>nnu003cp alignu003d”center” styleu003d”text-align:center”>u003cfont sizeu003d”3″ faceu003d”Times New Roman”>u003cspan styleu003d”font-size:12.0pt”>to try to find the missing u003cfont coloru003d”navy”>u003cspan styleu003d”color:navy”>Gu003c/span>u003c/font>orillasu003c/span>u003c/font>u003c/p>u003c/span>”,1] ); […]
[…] I have been asked many questions about the four missing mountain gorillas by concerned friends around the world. As you’ll remember, during the rebellion in December and January, two gorillas were killed. Subsequently, my Rangers carried out extensive searches to establish the safety of the remaining gorillas. Back on February 12, I reported on the status of the Gorillas: The impact of the rebellion had been 2 confirmed killed and 4 missing (3 Silverbacks and 1 female). […]
[…] I have been asked many questions about the four missing Mountain Gorillas by concerned friends around the world. As you’ll remember, during the rebellion in December and January, two Gorillas were killed. Subsequently, my Rangers carried out extensive searches to establish the safety of the remaining Gorillas. Back on February 12, I reported on the status of the Gorillas: The impact of the rebellion had been 2 confirmed killed and 4 missing (3 Silverbacks and 1 female). […]