Mar 20 2008
New gorilla family moves in from Rwanda
Thank you all for your comments and concern. We are still waiting to find out who actually killed the gorillas last year. It is suspected that the lucrative trade in charcoal (some news papers are calling it Makala), which is an essential domestic fuel, was the motive. We have been writing much about ending the illigal charcoal trade. In the meantime we have some other news. On Tuesday March 18, Didi and Emmanuel and Balemba received information from a tourist operator in Jomba about another family of gorillas that had crossed over to the DR Congo part of Virunga National Park.
Initially, we thought it might be the Kwitonda family that had migrated to Rwanda in 2004. Of course we were very anxious to find more information and soon discovered that is was likely to be a new group! Whereas the Kwitdona group had sixteen individuals, this group has nine. The question remains as to whether this is a part of the Kwitonda group that has split off or an entirely new group that has crossed over from Rwanda.
We then checked with the Rwandese authorities who stated that it appears to be the 13th family from Rwanda who have crossed over to Congolese territory. The CNDP rebels have also confirmed this as they have control of trekking tours to see this particular family as well the Mapuwa family, and the Nyakagezi family (from Uganda).
Since September 2007, ICCN has completely lost control of the Mikeno gorilla sector which is in the hands of the CNDP rebels who had refused access to our Director, Mr Mushenzi in February this year.
We will continue to update you as news comes in. Diddy and Innocent.
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
Hi Diddy and Innocent!
In the metter of suspected gorilla killer, I hope that Justice will be done!
About the gorilla family that had sighted, I’m also very anxious to find more.
Thank you for the unflagging and valuable updating.
I dunno if this is happy news - I’d prefer that no new families move into Congo until the situation with the rebels is resolved and y’all are back in charge. It’s all so very dangerous right now, yes? Thanks for the report and thanks for staying on the job.
s.
I agree with Sheryl, I personally was hoping more of our gorillas made it to Rwanda and stayed there. Diddy, Innocent, I think about the children who are caught in the middle of this crisis. They probably play together, are schooolmates, etc. Why can’t grownups learn from these children!
I am glad to hear more families are out and about; however, I am concerned also because we don’t want them to be hurt in any way…thanks for the update and I continue to pray more information is found about the man who is suspected of allowing the killing of some of the Rugendos…..if he is involved, he should receive the highest penalty…he showed no mercy for these innocent animals when he allowed them to be shot execution style!
I agree. I wish a big wind would move all of the gorillas into Rwanda…for the short term.
Just received an email from DFGFI that they have suspended their operations at the Kabara Research Station due to unsafe conditions there.
Dear Diddy and Innocent,
Please continue to be careful as the best hope for the gorillas is your great work there. It is a shame, but negotiations will have to commence with those in the forest, hopefully to get them to lay down arms and leave the forest without more violence. For now, please stay safe. That official is the worst example of govt corruption, someone who profits from destroying gorilla habitat and orders a warning to legitimate wildlife authority with such a horrific crime. Seems this forest is a quick way for many to make money in the short term, risking tourist trade and future income for local communities. He should get a long prison term, with ICCN sending strong message to charcoal trade. I hope his trial happens soon.
thank you and stay safe,
Judy in CA
Just wondering how things are….so miss seeing updated pics on the beautiful gorillas!!!!!! Hope you guys are ok! Take care!
thanks for keeping us in the loop, guys. you’re both inspirational. i hope this new family will be safe now that they’ve crossed over, and that conditions will clear up soon so we can get to know them. stay safe.
I am now going to school for zoology,my main focus is helping the endangered and threatened species, so as an animal lover, I hope justice will be served. I cannot believe what this world is coming to, its very sad. I hope the ones who are found responsible for the killings are greatly punished.
The Orangutan Conservancy is one of the organizations on Searchkindly if anyone would like to vote!
I speak on behalf of a small group of students located in northern California of the United States. We have been so moved and inspired by your efforts and have learned about them through these postings. Recently, we have raised some small funds for the cause. What supplies are the most in need right now? How best can we direct our funds? We will keep selling flowers, crafts and cookies to help protect the mountain gorillas and will keep you in our minds with good hopes for the future! Thank you for all you do.
Sincerely,
Kat Fountain of the Northwest Primate Conservation Society
Humboldt State University
how are the cndp rebels treating the gorillas? as best as you can tell. i know that any money they receive from tours is probably going to a “bad” cause. i am most concerned about the gorillas and if they are being treated well. thats at least one positive from that situation. if the cndp can’t be removed from the area, are they open to advice on what is good for the gorillas. my biggest fear is that the cndp hurt the gorillas or that fighting between them and the government breaks out. thanks
There has not been an update in almost 2 and a half weeks. Is everyone there ok?
Hello, I know this site is going through some construction, so I am keeping that in mind, however I wanted to make a few observations and comments regarding this new setup.
1. I really liked the old setup where you catagorized by month; how do we now get back to the earliest posts of the Gorilla Protection site?
2. Recent comments and Gorilla News is great, but the most recent comment has nothing to do with the Mountain Gorilla and same is true for the most recent Mountain Gorilla News (Announcing My Evil Plot to Take Over the World) What’s this?
3. I really miss being able to access the earlier posts by looking up the Gorilla Family. Will you be adding this feature back, as well as by the months?
I realize you have your hands tied at the moment and can’t access the gorilla sector due to the rebels however, we have not heard a thing in weeks. Emmanuel, I know that you have been doing your best at keeping us up to date. Will anyone be replacing Samantha, so that we can get regular updates? She mentioned that a replacement was coming in March. Is that going to happen?
I’m having fears that our voices are growing quiet and our site is being over taken by silly people wanting to take over the world. We need to be talking about the gorillas here and at the very least, being able to access the old posts and pictures of our beloved gorilla families.
7 or 8 months and counting since the Rangers have been able to have real access to the Gorillas. Is there any news at all that you can share with us?
Always thankful for your hard work. Lisa
Okay, I feel really stupid. Now I see the Archives and the Categories. Does my old excuse “not enough coffee” work even though it’s 3:30 in the afternoon? hehehe. I’m still standing by #2 though. : ) Lisa
Lisa is absolutely right. I second her concern, comments, and questions.
Lisa, please don’t apologise. Your suggestions are just what we need. We’re trying to build the site, but we’re all field conservationists, and we are all learning.
We’ve set up a page on the mountain gorillas. We will also develop one on the rangers.
The situation remains as bad as ever. But the best information we have remains that no gorillas have been killed and
Pierre Peron will be coming, and helping us to keep you updated on a daily basis. He is a biologist, passionate about great apes, but worked for the BBC for eight years. Samantha is still part of the family and keeps in touch.
I do think things will get better. We have to keep trying.
Emmanuel
Emmanuel, Thank you so much for the update. This is wonderful news that Pierre Peron will be joining the family and even better news that no gorillas have been killed. This site is looking great and I love the idea of building a site for the Rangers. You guys never stop surprising me with your ingenuity…..and you say your all field conservationists! You’ll be computer experts now too! Please tell Sam “Hello” next time she checks in. We all really miss her. : ) Lisa