I just got back in from spending the day with Director Mushenzi, Diddy, Innocent, Augustin Kambale (from Bukima patrol post) and… CBS 60 Minutes.
Anderson Cooper and his team have come for a few days to Goma to cover the plight of the Mountain Gorillas following the July massacre and the current fighting that is preventing the Rangers from protecting this imperiled species.

Filming was done up at Kibati, at the foot of the Nyragongo volcano just outside of Goma.

Because of fighting we were not able to take the crew to Rumangabo. But the setting was beautiful. Diddy looks on…

Emmanuel from WildlifeDirect interviewed first. He has been working here since 1993.

Director Norbert Mushenzi was also asked for his perspective on what is happening at the moment.

Innocent, Augustin and Diddy spoke at length about their experiences with the gorillas, and what it was like on that terrible day in July when the Rugendo family was massacred.

Other Rangers were also filmed.
I have no idea when this program will air, but I will let you know when I do. Anderson Cooper is interviewing Rob Muir from FZS tomorrow and Paulin if he can make it here from Kinshasa. He was also in Rwanda yesterday, and met with the Gorilla Doctors and DFGF(I).
It is a significant opportunity for the Rangers to make their voices heard. This blog is excellent for that - but CBS 60 Minutes is quite frankly huge for them. These brave men have worked in total isolation for so many years, and it is them that we must support if we are to prevent the Mountain Gorillas of DR Congo from disappearing forever.
I just dropped Diddy off at the clinic and met his wife. She was up and about and looking well so that is excellent news.
Fighting is still going on. Yesterday it was 5 miles from Rumangabo park station. Today I think it is a little calmer. But tomorrow it will probably start again. Who knows.
Samantha
Technorati : anderson cooper, cbs, congo, drc, iccn, wildlifedirect
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