Nov 15 2007
Kabirizi & Humba families have been seen!
Finally some good news everyone! We have just spoken to Ranger Patrice Tuyisenge. He told us that on 12th November the rebels who control our Gorilla Sector let him go in and see what he could find.
He saw 2 families that he said are the Humba and Kabirizi families. The Humba family was very near the Bukima patrol post.
Humba the Silverback and chief of his family, taken in August
Patrice does not know how to identify each Mountain Gorilla by the noseprint, and this also takes a lot of time, but we are confident by what he described to us that the Humba family and the Kabirizi family are doing well. Humba has 9 individuals, and Kabirizi 31. Patrice was not able to tell us exactly the number of gorillas he saw in each group, but for Humba it was roundabout the right number, and for Kabirizi too.
This is very very good news and we are very very happy to hear this.
Mahindure, a juvenile in the Humba family, taken in August
Patrice is a Ranger usually based at Jomba. He is one of the Rangers who for a couple of weeks tracked the Mapuwa and Rugendo families and the solitary Ruzirabwoba back in September. This was because the rebels let him and some others do this.
We do not know if Patrice or any other Rangers will be allowed back in to the Gorilla Sector to do any more tracking. Patrice had to go in from the Ugandan side via Bunagana. But we hope so.
We also need to get back in to complete a proper identification of these two families, and of course the other habituated Mountain Gorillas. But today this is most definitely a positive light in what has been a dark scenario for so long. We are happy to share this with you.
Diddy & Innocent
Technorati : congo, drc, iccn, ranger, wildlifedirect
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
What fantastic news! You must be so relieved.
How remarkable and wonderful that the Rebels let Patrice in - has this happened before?
Great news, i can’t believe it, so glad they let him in! Realise this must be really dangerous for all you guys, so take care! Perhaps they are starting to realise there is a big following worldwide for these Gorillas! and their survival. Just hope this is a corner turned, and they will allow you more access again! Words can not describe my happiness at the moment, and i’m sure you guys are pleased that some have been spotted safe and well! Stay safe, one and all.
Oh how wonderful….God has answered some prayers…..thank goodness some have been found safe…I hope the rebels will leave them all alone…..I know you guys are somewhat relieved….thank you for the update! Humba is gorgeous!!!!!!
This is an enormous relief. The rangers involved have taken a huge risk, but there has been such concern over the fate of the gorillas. For now, at least, we know that there is good reason to keep struggling on.
Such good news & such relief. Lets just pray the others have fared as well.
Well done Patrice, a brave man indeed. Rebel OK or not, it was still a very dangerous thing to do but such courage as ever from the DRC rangers.
Finally a god news!!!
WOO HOO! This is such great news! Much thanks to the rangers who risked themselves to look for the gorillas.
(You know it’s big news when Emmanuel posts in here.)
s.
This is brilliant news, it must really lift your spirits. Hopefully you will be able to get in to do a proper check soon. I’m so happy.x
Wonderful news! How is it these rebels let you in? Are they sympathetic about the gorillas? Thank you, thank you to them too.
Hello Cecile. Diddy and Innocent are not on email at this point so I thought I could help clarify for you further. We do not really know how or why the rebels let in Patrice - but it is probably to do with the fact that he is from Jomba, ie near the Uganda/Rwanda border. He is also the same ethnicity as the rebels, so this would have helped. The situation is still precarious, and this is being seen as a one off, although of course a very very positive one off! We hope it is of course not a one off - but only time will tell. In these situations of insecurity it is all about making the most of windows of opportunity. Patrice saw one and took it. Are the rebels sympathetic to the gorillas? I have no way of knowing. But these same rebels were blamed for the killing and eating of 2 solitary Silverbacks in January and this was widely reported in the international media. Maybe they do not want a repeat of this. I do not know.
EEEEEEEEEEEE I am sooooooooo glad of the good news. What a releif so far. Oh everyone have such a great day on that note…
My compliments to Patrice … I salute your courage … Thank you Diddy & Innocent for sharing this great, good news! … Yippee!
I could nor believe my eyes when I checked the blog for news! What a relief to know that these gorillas are alive and doing well. It’s unbelievable how the Rangers take these kinds of risks in order to get even a glimpse of the gorillas.. These guys must be really brave and love the gorillas.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to Patrice for your courage and love of the gorillas. It will be a good day. So glad to hear that at least two of the families are doing well and the numbers sound good for them. Always, always have my fingers crossed that today will be the day this crazy fighting ends and all Rangers can go back to work and back home. Lisa
Really great news! And thanks Samantha, because I was wondering about that as well.
This is such wonderful news! I’ve been silent but following close…
Everyone, as Sheryl told us all yesterday, keep voting at http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/cnn.heroes/ CNN Hereos for Eugene Rutagarama. Our Rangers and gorillas need all the attetion they can possibly get and this is one way they can get it. Thanks. Lisa
This is fantastic news !!! Thanks Patrice for all your courage… I hope things start getting better now
We have been holding our breath every day, waiting for an update. It is a very happy day. How exciting!!!
What fabulous news!!! Finally a bright spot that will help to lift everyone’s spirits. Many thank to Patrice and of course all the Rangers…I know this is not the end, but still better news than I would have thought at this point!!
This is wonderful news Didi and Innocent, I look forward to more good news in coming days and weeks
Very good news. Well done Patrice for your courage. Unbeliveable really.
I am very happy to hear such good news! I hope the best for the otherones. Keep save!
What WONDERFUL news! I have goosebumps right now hearing this. Exactly what we have been waiting to hear. Luck was on our side and kept them safe and healthy. I pray it continues on in this fashion for them and the rest of the families and that the fighting comes to a quick end.
This is really a very and extraordinary good news!!! I´m so happy to hear that this two families are doing well, and I expect that the right numbers in each family are just ok when the opportunity to count them arrive. Also, I hope that all the others gorillas are safe and fine. Thank you so much Diddy and Innocent for this great news!!
And, of course, thank you so much Patrice for this incredible and heroic effort you do! As I always said…more men like you are what the world need if the wildlife is to be saved from situations like this.
thanks very much for this wonderful news. i’m so, so proud to support your work. you are brave and compassionate, and you’re truly making a difference in the survival of these beautiful gorillas. thanks again!
Back flips, back flips….I have been a very super mood since this update..:):):) Couldnt help myself…
wicked,wicked wicked news..peace and love to all jah children..xxxxx
Patrice is a hero!!!!!!! Fantastic news.
Wonderful news. Bless you and your work.
great update, thanks.
Good news certainly brings the lurkers out …
s.
Dear Diddy, Innocent, Patrice and Samantha,
Thank you for the fantastic news! I have been waiting on pins and needles for this update. You are all heroes and thank you for keeping the world informed. Please be careful and stay healthy. I really enjoyed your family pictures too. And I hope to visit you all someday when it’s safe to track gorillas, one of the world’s most valuable treasures. It’s great to know people from all over the world are concerned and contributing to help you safeguard their habitat and health. your friend in california,
Judy
Fantastic news…they are so beautiful ands its great that at last you have some good news about them…i can only hope that this bodes well for all of the familys caught up in this horror.
Keep safe and well all
I appreciate this news for what it is. I hope it is a sign of things to come but if not, at least we know some of these precious animals have endured. I will give “thanks” for this gift next week as we celebrate Thanksgiving.
Thank you Patrice. I say this as the tears roll down my face. I have been a basket case with worry. Good news like this helps. I just pray all the others are ok as well. Thank you Diddy and Innocent for keeping us so well informed with information that I know is so hard for you to come by these days. Peace love and thank you.
Debbie
Wahoooooo! Great news!
At last some good news. Thank you Patrice. I have been storming heaven with my prayers every day and I can’t tell you how happy I am that the Kabirizi and Humba families are doing well.You are a very brave man and I salute you. Today is my daughter’s birthday and this news has made it extra special for her. God bless you all, Diddy and Innocent as well. Keep safe and peace to all
Great, Great news.
We needed this. Thanks to all of you
and your work with the gorillas. Its very much appreciated. Thank you. Take care.
Awesome news! Take care and be safe Diddy, Innocent, Patrice, all rangers and of-course safety all magnificent gorillas in this difficult times.
This is wonderful news! My prayers are with every brave ranger, and I’m thankful that the gorillas are doing well. May peaceful resolution come soon!
thank you all for your committment to the mountain gorillas and our overall humanity in this perilous balance. stay safe and stay strong!
We need to save the gorillas!
[…] Humba family of Mountain Gorillas is one we have talked about many times as he is one of our habituated families. He and his family were last spotted mid […]
I think this is reall sad i will sue if is see again…..R…….