Times have been tough for the ICCN rangers in Virunga National Park’s gorilla sector since the recent war started. To date, they do not have control of many of their park stations, which are still under the control of Laurent Nkunda’s rebels. These rebels have set themselves up as “park rangers” and give tours to see the mountain gorilla families. If you visit DR Congo, DO NOT take a gorilla sighting tour unless it’s with authorized ICCN rangers.
One bright spot is that the rangers recently took control of Gatovu post. They hope to have it cleaned up and operating soon.
In the meantime, the rangers have mounted a fierce campaign to end the illegal charcoal production in the park. “There has been a non-stop watch at Kibati with regular patrols on the eastern flanks of the Nyamulagira and Nyiragongo Volcanoes and Kibumba, in the gorilla sector. Forest destruction for charcoal in these, the most critical sites in the park, have been reduced by two-thirds. In the past tens years, since the war started, we have never achieved such results, so there is quite a sense of encouragement among the rangers.”
Here’s a video shot by Pierre, the new communications person for WD, of the rangers seizing charcoal from a truck where it was hidden under sacks of potatoes.
I’m going away for a bit, but should be back to blogging in 2-3 days. Get out and save your planet.
s.
Filed under: endangered species, Mountain gorillas, Virunga National Park Rangers
Hi, I am writing a Persuasive Essay and I have chosen this topic. I am a bit confused though. For instance, are “park rangers” good or bad, and is the coal going to the villagers or companies? Is there any other information that you can give me about the rangers, charcoal, and other things about this war? What are your thoughts about the charcoal production? Thanks,
~Grace
Hi,
You need to contact Samantha Newport, the Communications Director for the Congolese Conservation Institution (ICCN) at samantha @ gorilla dot cd.
The rangers are neutral in the current conflicts in Congo. Their job is to protect the wildlife and environment of Virunga National Park. You also need to dig around more to understand the full involvement of the “charcoal mafia” in destroying Virunga and in the murder of the Rugendo family of gorillas in July 2007.
s.