Jun 12 2007
Farewell to Rubiga
Rubiga, the murdered adult female from the Kabirizi family, was buried on Monday at Rumangabo in Virunga National Park, alongside other gorillas. An autopsy was carried out on her body, the two bullets removed, and then we said farewell.
These photos are horrible. But it is the reality of what the Gorillas and the Rangers have been through since Friday. It is important that the world sees. I do not want to offend or upset, but it is what is happening.
First the Rangers had to move Rubiga from where she was found shot dead.
Then they built a wooden stretcher to carry her down the mountain.
And we carried her towards Rumangabo… where she will rest in peace.
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
Okay now I am bawling…This is such a sad case which all of them are. I will lay my head down tonight with such sadness. Godspeed Rubiga no one can hurt you anymore………My condolenses to all the rangers that have worked so hard to protect these guys….Steph
It’s really sad to see this; To see that the gentle creatures are being used as pawns in a game is even more disgusting. When will we learn to co-exist?
My heartfelt condolences to you and your team, it is surely heart breaking to see this happen to Rubiga in spite of your best efforts.
May you all find solace…
Best wishes
Shashi
May Little Ndakasi grow big & strong, like her momma. And may Rubiga have all the bananas
she wants on the other side of the rainbow
bridge. May you rise to new heights amid the
forrest tops in your quest to bring light to the
stark plight of the inhabitants of Virunga National Park — the special families you share
with us. THANK YOU!
God bless you for giving her a proper burial and for caring so much for her baby. You are so strong.
I believe you had to show this — the world can’t just ignore what is happending to our wildlife — it must be made public — these horrible people have to be weeded out and punished — thank God she was found in tact and her entire body can go to heaven—– you are all brave and give us hope!
I’m so sad and i cannot understand why you are so few rangers to protect the gorillas against theese bandits .I would to come with you to fight .Thank so much for what you are doing ,it’s so important for the future of the life in this planet .Every day i come on the website to read the news .I recommand to the people to buy your book “Virunga” so interesting .
I think these pictures should be made available to the world media, so that people can witness the horror. May Rubiga rest in peace. Thank you to all who help the gorillas and risk their lives everyday to try to protect them.
It is heartening to see that the rangers have given Rubiga a proper burial. RIP Rubiga.
Dear Rangers,
We are so sorry for the losses you all have suffered. We are at a loss for
words.
We can only imagine the effect this has taken on the moral of the Force.
Please let all the Rangers know that we are with them in spirit – people around
the world have felt your loss and deeply appreciate the work that you and your
men have taken on.
Sincerely,
Vanessa
and your Friends at Happy Hollow Zoo
I’m trying to understand why…wondering how the person really feels who pulled the trigger…wondering what hardship, sadness, physical and/or emotional abuse that person might have had in their life making such a horrible act even possible. I write this with tears in my eyes and a feeling of deep sadness for the gorillas, their protectors, and also for the killer.
If any of THEM read these blogs, what an incredible difference you could make if your focus changed to something good and kind. Use your anger for something positive! Work to help fix the problems. Voice some possitive suggestions. What is it that you really need? Help us all to understand…
What can you say when you see this! I can’t say in words how angry and hurt this makes me feel. Rubiga RIP beautiful angel.
HEARTBREAKING! I am just finding these pictures now. After the massacre of the other 5 of the Rugendo family. It’s all so senseless and just heartbreakingly sad. Tears are in my eyes and my heart actually hurts to see these awful pictures that must be seen if we are to change. Sandee, if you read this now. Thank you for saying so beautifully to the people that murdered this beautiful animal what needs to be said and asked of them. Thank you. Lisa, California
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Dear Samantha and Rangers,
Maybe these images will move the world to act to do something to further help save this species. It is so sad. But also so important to get this message out. When will the 60 min piece broadcast? It is unfortunate, but American tv usually will not broadcast such images because of corporate restrictions; hopefully other public independent news media will do so. Again, thank you and the Rangers for your incredible work on the front line of this crisis. How many rebels are in the gorilla sector forest now? Are U.N. forces in the area to help this situation or strictly for humanitarian part of the crisis? Is there another peace offering on the table? Thank you for the updates and vital information on this situation. I am hoping everyone involved with your organization gets the resources they need to do their work and be safe there. Thank you, Judy
We need to take agresseive action, Eye for an eye and a tooth for tooth.
God speed his protection to these beautiful creatures.
vvvveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyyy heartbreaking.
hey guys please stop killing the gorillas they did not do nothing to you guys!! I mean yea at the beginning they were know as eating humans but they wernt. I’ve been searching Gorillas for about 5 years and they dont eat humans there nice animals and i know there huge but there nice NOW PLEASE QUIT KILLING GORILLAS THERE NICE ANIMALS!! JESSICA