UPDATE: State of Emergency
The latest on the endangered mountain gorillas in war-ravaged Congo
- By Jess Blumberg
- Smithsonian.com, January 09, 2008, Subscribe
For the past several months the raging conflicts between the Congolese Army and forces of ex-general Laurent Nkunda have barred rangers from accessing the rare mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park. This is the longest period the gorillas have been unguarded in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since 1996, during the height of the country's civil war. Besides obvious threats, the fighting surrounding the gorillas has also prevented veterinarians from reaching the primates to deal with common flu-like diseases.
This is an especially trying time, as this is the worst year on record for gorilla conservation in the region. So far 10 mountain gorillas have been killed and conservationists worry about the fate of the rest of the 72 habituated primates. Some 1,100 rangers protect five national parks in eastern DRC, and now many of them have been displaced, unable to care for the gorillas. Robert Muir, project director for the Goma-based Frankfurt Zoological Society's conservation program, discusses the status of the rangers and gorillas as the fighting rages on.
Can you briefly describe the current political situation?
The current situation is complex and full of the twists and turns and conspiracy that one might expect from a country trying to reorganize its government after 40 years of economic decline followed by 10 years of war.
Having made good progress over the last few weeks, the Congolese army has now lost all the ground they had made following the orders of a General suspected to playing both sides and who has subsequently been sent back to Kinshasa to face charges of high treason. Nkunda has been able to reinforce his position and has now dug himself in. It doesn't look like the Congolese army will be able to defeat him with their current resources and may be forced to resume negotiations. For the time being however, fighting continues in a desperate effort to try and dislodge the rebels from their stronghold.
How is it affecting the gorillas?
We have no idea—this is a major part of the problem, we simply don't know.
What is the status of the park rangers? Do you feel safe?
The rangers are still all camped out at the headquarters of the Park and waiting anxiously. In the meantime we are trying to tackle the problem of illegal charcoal production in the southern sector of the park. This area is occupied heavily by FDLR Interehamwe—Rwandan Hutu Rebels who fled Rwanda following the 1994 genocide. Safety is a relative concept, but yes I feel safe. I keep my ear to the ground and have great support from the rangers and my local staff, as well as my bosses in our Africa Regional Office in Tanzania and our headquarters in Frankfurt.
In addition to the obvious threats to the gorillas, is there anything else that you are worried about?
Yes, there is the threat of the transmission of zoonotic diseases, especially with so many rebels currently occupying the gorilla habitat. There is also the threat of poaching; infants being taken for the international trade in exotics etc, but without any doubt the greatest threat right now for the gorillas is of being caught in incidental crossfire and shot.
How do you and other rangers get your news reports about what's happening?
Straight from the front line—mobile phone or walkie-talkie.
What happened with the emergency response plan?
It was successfully implemented during the first month, and then fighting resumed and many planned activities were suspended. We are now operating a skeleton operation and simply trying to hang in there.
How is the outlook for the future of the gorillas?
Extremely uncertain at this stage. We have no idea what has happened to them over the last four months and we are particularly concerned about the fate of the habituated families who are clearly most at risk.
Subscribe now for more of Smithsonian's coverage on history, science and nature.
Comments (6)
I just now saw and read this article. It truly is a sad day when this unnecessary slaughter of man and beast can happen. It is wonderful, though, that there are so many that do care. We surely need them. Thank you.
Posted by Carla Garven on February 15,2008 | 01:07 PM
I pray that the fighting would cease, and also that the remaining mountain gorillas will survive the senseles killing of both humans and them. Thank you for letting me state my concerns and prayers as to this complex problem as to both humans and the gorillas.
Posted by Fred E Schollars on January 30,2008 | 05:24 PM
What can we do to help?
Posted by Jan Wilson on January 30,2008 | 02:16 PM
I have followed the sad situation in your magazine and online about the gorillas. It is so sad, as another comment stated, what people will do for money. I think we should educate our children and more of world on how animals are part of our existence and once they are gone, I think there will be major consequences. Not many people seem to ever think of that, except scientists.
Posted by Lucy Wolf on January 25,2008 | 12:22 PM
I read your magazine on the above and the photos brought tears to my eyes. How horrible that these beautiful gorillas or any animal should be slaughtered. May is killing our planet in many, many ways.
Posted by Joanne Evering on January 24,2008 | 02:52 PM
So sad. What people do for money-the poachers. I wish we could protect them all.
Posted by dolores crowder on January 23,2008 | 03:26 PM
I am greatly worried of this situation, concerning the Gorillas, I am an ongoing reader. I know you all are worried just as well. So from what I've read the gorillas are right at the frontline caught in the crossfire of the two armies? As a long time enthusiast of the groing threat on gorillas is there any way of for myself to help out in any way for myself to get an inside look of this problem from your stand point having a hands on assistance there in the congo? Thank you for your time. Pardon any offense. God Bless you all! Kris
Posted by Kris Griffin on January 19,2008 | 07:20 AM