What is deemed a lush sanctuary has been thrust into the war that erupted since September in Congo. The fragile habitat which is supposed to be deemed a haven for the mountain gorillas is now a place overrun by both soldiers and rebels. Now, the sanctuary is an off-limits war zone.
In wildlife conservation, rangers mainly faced worry about the extinction of animals. In the case of Virunga National Park, the rangers had to also worry about their own survival. In over the last decade, about 120 park rangers have been killed.
In the past months, rangers had to dodge bullets while driving in their vehicles. Some spent the nights hiding under beds. All the rangers had to flee from the gorilla sector when the rebels came in.
The rangers could not do anything over the past twelve months as they watch the gorilla get massacred. One ranger says that the reason they’re still here is because out of concerns for the gorillas.
2007 was bloody for the gorillas as it was the bloodiest year on record. Ten gorillas were shot and killed while two others were missing. While it is uncertain on who is responsible, the rangers believe it is the work of illegal charcoal traders trying to get easy access to the trees by sabotaging the park.
Since the habitat has been seized and turn into a war zone, the rangers and park staff have not been able to set foot inside for the last four months. It is unknown what has happened to the gorillas.