The population of mountain gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga National Park has risen by 12.5%, a census shows. It is the first census to be completed by the park’s wildlife rangers since rebel troops seized control of the area in August 2007. “The status of Virunga’s Mountain Gorillas is a triumph for conservation,” said Emmanuel de Merode, […]
At the turn of the year 2005 and 2006 an unusual reality show came into being, initiated by Czech Radio. It was a reaction to the boom of container reality shows such as ‘Big Brother’. In this slightly different reality show the participants were the Prague Zoo gorillas. Richard, Shinda, Kijivu, Moja and later Kamba were monitored non-stop by 16 […]
A wildlife ranger has paid the ultimate price in the effort to protect endangered Mountain Gorillas in Democratic Republic of Congo. Ranger Safari Kakule was killed by rebel forces during an attack on the evening of January 8 in Congo’s Virunga National Park. Safari and six other rangers were attacked while on patrol. More than 120 rangers have been killed […]
YoG Coordinator Veronika Lenarz (UNEP/CMS) gave an interview in French to Radio Canada. The interview gives an outline of the campaign’s rationale and goals. To listen to the interview, follow the link below, then go to January 1st in the right-hand box and start at Minute 35 of the audio file.
The United Nations have declared 2009 the Year of the Gorilla – and there is a call for actions from everyone to participate in global efforts to save gorillas. Some journalists are questioning the morality of saving gorillas while people continue to suffer in Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. When in Rwanda I attended the Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming ceremony – […]
When rebels loyal to renegade DRC general, Laurent Nkunda, invaded and occupied the Virunga National Park in 2007, most rangers fled. Some 30 rangers however remained behind and continued their work under the new ‘administration’. Late last year, the rebels advanced pushing their front further towards Goma. Rumangabo, the Virunga Park headquarters fell to the rangers after a fierce battle […]