17 elephants killed by poachers in Virunga

May 2008. In the last two weeks, the Virunga National Park has lost 17 elephants and 2 hippos to poachers. The area is so unstable at the moment with Congolese militias, Rwandan militias and Congolese soldiers all roaming the area, as well as local poachers.

Enquiries lead by Congolese Wildlife Authority ICCN has established that six elephant poachers who were caught were local villagers hired by some corrupt Congolese Army Officers.

High Price of Ivory 

The price of ivory is believed to have reached as high as US$150 per kg on the local market. At this rate, Virunga could lose all of its elephants before the end of the year. An Advance Force of Congo Rangers has been deployed in the area, although they are badly overstretched with their efforts to stop the charcoal trade in the park.

An exceptional team of Rangers in Congo

The Congo rangers have continued their work without interruption throughout the war, and during that time the gorilla have increased by over 14%. But this has come at a cost. 97 of Virunga’s rangers have died protecting the park’s wildlife against poachers since 1996.

You can help the Congo Rangers with their desperate efforts to conserve the wildlife of Virunga by donating here.