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Some good news at last for Virunga as 1000 soldiers leave. But another wildlife ranger is killed.05/09/2008 11:33:56
Another wildlife ranger killed - Help his family here.
September 2008. Finally some good news. Over 1,000 Congolese soldiers have left Virunga National Park, with their families, about 6,000 people in total. Talks between the army and the Congolese Wildlife Authority came to fruition and the army finally moved out.Last week, a 4-man Ranger patrol was attacked by assailants thought to belong to the Mai Mai group of rebels. One of the Congo Rangers, Villavu Kamate was shot 12 times, including twice in the head. Another Ranger, Kasereka Makeo, was shot in the thigh, while the 2 others managed to flee to safety and raise the alarm. By the time reinforcements arrived on scene Villavu's body had been stripped and the rebels had stolen his uniform and boots. 40 years with the ICCN Villavu had been with ICCN for 40 years and had just reached retirement age. If you wish to donate to Villavu's family you can do at the Wildlife Direct website. Please just specify that it is for him and 100% will go to his family for funeral expenses and other costs. The whole operation required incredible logistics as it really was like moving an entire town. It took 3 days and cost $10,000, mostly for trucks and fuel, and World Wildlife Fund paid for the operation, at the request of the Congo Rangers. This is a significant development for Virunga and its flora and fauna. Any human presence is detrimental to the conservation of Virunga, so this move by the army is a very positive step in the right direction.  The Congo army leaving Virunga. Credit Wildlife Direct  Rwindi Once upon a time Rwindi, the HQ of the central sector of the park, was paradise, with thousands of animals roaming the savannah. It was the place you simply had to visit in Virunga, and attracted people from all over the world. However the security situation has been precarious there since about 1993/4, and today the facilities there are a shadow of their former selves. There was once a smart hotel with tourist cabins, where even Mobutu had a house. Today it is a dirty, smelly shell, with an empty swimming pool that has not seen water for many years. This is really a very positive move toward getting the guns out of the park - and credit goes to General Mayala, Colonel Kitenge, and the Congo Rangers, amongst others. More about the Congo Rangers
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