Mountain gorillas of Virunga National Park threatened by heavy artillery
VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK, 14 May 2012 - Virunga National Park, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has evacuated staff from three of five patrol posts around Mikeno Sector, the mountain gorilla sector of the park, due to heavy fighting between rebels and the Congolese army over the weekend.
The Chief Warden for Virunga National Park, Dr. Emmanuel de Merode, said in a statement released by the park “We are deeply concerned with the safety of the mountain gorillas who are exposed to the dangers of artillery fire, but we must also take care of our staff who have to be evacuated from the combat zone. As soon as there is a lull in the fighting, we will return to check on the gorillas.”
The intense fighting, which began Thursday evening in and around the park’s gorilla patrol posts of Bikenge and Jomba, caused serious damage to Bikenge, forcing rangers to abandon their positions. Staff at Bukima patrol post evacuated late Saturday evening following information of rebel infiltration in the area. Two of the five gorilla posts remain open.
For the complete article, please see Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration.
