Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Environmentalists killed in DRC gorilla park

The BBC reports on an attack to a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) vehicle carrying 11 environmental workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) Virunga National Park, home to endangered mountain gorillas.

Of the 11, two were killed and three injured when their vehicle was ambushed by Moi Moi rebels according to officials interviewed by Radio Okapi - a United Nations-supported station.

Virunga NP is "in a volatile region in eastern DR Congo where rebels have set up a base. Armed groups frequently carry out attacks in the park, home to at least 380 endangered mountain gorillas."

The endangered gorillas make their home in the parks and mountains that border Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC. More than half the population of the gorillas live in the DRC.

The rebel groups have taken over Virunga NP since September and have threatened to kill conservationists who enter the area. Last July five gorillas were shot "at point-blank range."

According to a park ranger, tourists have been led over the borders illegally by rebel "guides" to view the DRC gorillas. He urges tourists not to take this path because 1) the illegal guides do not follow proper procedure to stay a certain distance from the animals to not transmit disease and 2) it gives money to the same rebels that kill and eat the gorillas.

Read the full story: Attack in DR Congo gorilla park
Read about two gorilla conservationists: Diary: protecting mountain gorillas

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