Environment

Deal struck to protect the Congo gorillas

by amyjudd | November 29, 2008 at 04:28 pm

259 views | 15 Recommendations | 8 comments

As the fighting continues in the Congo, some of the unknowing casualities are the endangered mountain gorillas.

But a deal has finally been reached to allow some of the rangers that were driven out, to return.

Now, a breakthrough deal between the insurgents and President Joseph Kabila's administration has paved the way for staff who fled fighting and the rebel occupation to return to the gorilla sector of Virunga National Park for the first time in 15 months.

On Tuesday, a team of Associated Press journalists visited the gorillas in the rebel-controlled zone. The same day, in another part of the park, rangers and scientists from the Congolese Wildlife Authority entered the apes' habitat for the first time since fleeing last year. They found one gorilla family — kicking off a monthlong census that will give the world its first comprehensive glimpse at the status and health of the highly endangered animals since it fell to rebels.

"We are extremely pleased that all sides in this conflict accept the importance of protecting Virunga's gorilla sector," said Emmanuel de Merode, the park's Belgian director and the man who pushed the breakthrough deal. "The survey will give us an accurate assessment of Congo's mountain gorillas and how they have been affected by the war."

About 700 gorillas are cared for in the Virunga Park.

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Paschen

at 19:31 on November 29th, 2008

And how long will this be observed? Or been able to be enforced?

Pythiian1

at 19:34 on November 29th, 2008

This is great news about the mountain gorillas - thank you for the story.

reno_fog

at 08:45 on November 30th, 2008

I hope the protection continues

RebGreene

at 19:51 on December 1st, 2008

"Curiosity" Juvenille endangered mountain gorilla in troupe in Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo, December, 2005

For more pictures of our "uncles" as the Congolese call these mountain gorillas go to http://www.4rebecca.com/MountainGorillas.html. In fact, if anyone one recognizes this particular troupe, or any of the individuals I'd love to know their names and to get an update on their health! There were several massacres of humans and gorillas in the region since I was there and I'm concerned for everyone's well being...- Rebecca

RebGreene has contributed a photo to this story.

Justin Callison

at 06:14 on December 2nd, 2008

I hope that all of our furry friends in Virunga are safe and sound. It's such an important and difficult job that the park staff do, so I hope they are able to stay in there and do that job. But unfortunately, I think that region is far from free of turmoil.

Justin

More on my experience with the Gorillas here if you're curious:
http://unsolicitedrambling.blogspot.com/2005/12/gorillas-not-guerrillas.html

Justin Callison has contributed a photo to this story.

Simian

at 08:50 on December 2nd, 2008

A silverback mountain gorilla absorbed in his own activities, apparently oblivious to human visitors just a few feet away.

Simian has contributed a photo to this story.

h_haenen

at 11:18 on December 2nd, 2008

Near the border of Uganda, Congo and Rwanda live the last remaining 600 mountain gorillas of this world. I was lucky to visit some of them in Virunga NP in Congo in february 2007. Virunga was just opened at that time and a few months later the civil war started again and the park was closed for tourists and just after that 4 gorillas were slaughtered without any reason.

The group I visited is called the Humba family, named after one of the most relaxed silverbacks Humba. The encounter with the family was incredible, for about one hour we saw them relaxing and playing just like we were not there. A memory I will never forget.

On the website http://gorilla.cd/blog I can still follow the family and luckily they are doing well inspite of the war in this area. On the website you can also see information about the mountain gorillas of Congo and ways to donate money to support them.
And I you ever have a change to see them, GO!

With this link (copy and past it) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4ekxO1GDDs you can also see some filming I did in Virunga while visiting the Humba family.

Harry.

h_haenen has contributed a photo to this story.