Mountain gorilla killed by poachers

Blackback killed when he attacked poachers' dogs.

June 2011. A critically endangered Mountain gorilla has been killed by poachers in Uganda.

The blackback gorilla, known as Mizaano (meaning playful), was the only blackback of Habinyanja gorilla family that lives in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP). The carcass of the stocky gorilla, the next in line to succeed the reigning silverback, was discovered by trackers on Friday morning with a spear wound in the right side of the shoulder.

The gorilla died a brutal death when the spear pierced right side of the shoulder and into his lungs causing him to suffocate. It is believed the poachers had laid traps targeting other animals in the forest such as antelopes, but ended up netting the gorilla. It is thought that the poachers' dogs attacked the gorilla, and the poachers killed the gorilla to protect their dogs.

3 people have been arrested and four more are being sought by the authorities.

More than half of the world's 720 Mountain gorillas live in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Last year, a poacher's wire snare which caught an infant gorilla round its neck in Nyakagezi Group of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, almost ended its life before the intervention of Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project Staff to remove the snare.