2020 • Issue 51 the gorilla organization

in these difficult times then is not just a matter of keeping them free Deadly double threat to gorillas from infection, but also of working directly with the communities to reduce the temptation to poach.” as COVID pandemic spreads This will be no easy task, however. In March and April this The COVID-19 pandemic threatens year, rangers found 820 snares in to undo the progress made through the Bwindi forests. In the same decades of conservation work. period of 2019, they found just Gorillas are not only at risk 21. As the economic toll of falling of the disease itself but, as the tourist numbers continues to be felt, economic slowdown hits already- with the most vulnerable suffering impoverished communities, they the most, this number could keep risk becoming accidental victims on rising. of increasingly desperate poachers. Nowhere is this dual threat more apparent than the Bwindi A crisis Impenetrable Forest in Uganda. The lush forests are home to around unfolds 460 mountain gorillas, roughly 10 March: DR Congo one-third of the total population. • reports first case of But this is also one of the most COVID-19 densely-populated parts of Africa. Communities push up to the very 11 March: WHO edges of the gorilla habitat and, • officially declares a despite the efforts of the authorities, pandemic the boundaries are not always respected. • 22-24 March: Gorilla Since the gorillas share more range countries close than 98% of their DNA with Poachers don’t set out to target mountain gorillas. But, as the case of their National Parks their human neighbours, there is Rafiki shows, they can become accidental victims of desperate times 17 May: Gorilla a real risk of COVID-19 being • Organization launches transmitted to them. While there funding of ranger patrols. This across the silverback while hunting emergency appeal have been no reported instances of ‘green wall’ will be vital for keeping for bushmeat. The fear now is that this happening so far, the case of the gorillas safe from infection. such clashes between gorillas • 1 June: Rangers report Ebola, which killed an estimated It will also help protect against and poachers will become more massive increase in 5,500 lowland gorillas between the related threat of poaching, commonplace. Communities snares 2002 and 2003, provides a stark previously on the decline but now around Bwindi, as well as other 12 June: Poachers warning from history. back, as the tragic death of Rafiki protected areas that are home to • arrested after made painfully clear. gorillas, rely on tourism to support silverback Rafiki ‘If one falls ill, they all do’ livelihoods. With the pandemic found dead Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Desperate times bringing international tourism to veterinarian and Gorilla The killing of silverback Rafiki a standstill, people could become Organization Trustee, warns: shocked not just conservationists desperate and tempted to venture “COVID-19 is not just a health but everyone who had come to into the forests to poach. Which Hollywood crisis for humans. If just one gorilla know the charismatic gorilla “Our community development becomes infected, the effects could through visiting Bwindi or seeing work has steadily reduced reliance superstar has be devastating. Gorilla can’t social him on TV. The leader of the on the forests, giving people the distance. They live in close-knit Nkuringo group, Rafiki (meaning chance to earn a living without pledged $2 million to groups and groom each other daily. “friend” in Swahili) was found putting gorillas – or themselves keep Virunga’s brave So, if one falls ill, they all do. That’s dead in June. He had been stabbed – at risk,” Director Jillian Miller why we cannot allow COVID to repeatedly with a spear. Four men explains. “The horrific death gorilla rangers safe? spread from humans to gorillas.” were swiftly arrested and charged. of Rafiki highlights the lengths To this end, the Gorilla The poachers claimed they acted some people may go to in order Find out inside. Organization has stepped up its out of self-defence after stumbling to survive. Safeguarding gorillas

www.gorillas.org 1 ...INTERNATIONAL NEWS...INTERNATIONAL NEWS...INTERNATIONAL NEWS... A work trip to remember When Leo Gripari founded That So far, so good! The Gorilla Brand (TGB) he had two big clothing company donates €2 Leo (centre) and his team go back to school ambitions: to shake-up the fashion to the Gorilla Organization for world. And to help protect gorillas every item sold. And in March, in the wild. Leo, along with photographer Harvey Gibson, musician Ben Mount and champion free runner Human Timothy, got the opportunity to see where their donations are spent. The TGB team joined Director Jillian Miller on a trip to Uganda. As well as seeing the endangered gorillas up-close, they also paid a visit to several projects.

Alternative livelihoods the key At the Reformed Poachers Project, they saw first-hand how providing alternative livelihoods is key to keeping the forests free from snares, while at the beekeeping centre, project manager Jovia explained how honey now provides sustainable incomes for whole communities. Our Africa Diary “Meeting the Gorilla Organization Day 7: It’s the last day of what has been the trip of a lifetime. staff, seeing the projects and visiting And this has been the best day of all – almost as good as seeing the gorillas all highlighted the the gorillas! Today we visited a small school at Rushaga, just importance of taking a community- based approach to conservation,” outside of the gorilla habitat. The welcome was one I will says Leo. never forget. The children welcomed us with songs. Their voices “Every day was unique and the ricocheted through my soul. It was amazing to see what we are trip inspired us to do even more as a company to ensure gorillas stay safe supporting as a brand and how we are helping inspire this next in these difficult times.” generation of gorilla guardians. And the experience left a lasting impression on the company – as the pandemic spread, TGB switched their factory from making baseball caps to An hour in the company of protective masks. Bwindi’s mountain gorillas In all, 10,000 masks were delivered and donated to communities living on the edge of Bwindi as well A famous friend as to all the gorilla rangers! helps out Hollywood superstar Pictured right: reformed poachers Leonardo DiCaprio stop work for a group photo responded to the tragic killing of 12 rangers (see page 3) by donating How can you help raise funds to save the gorillas? $2 million to the Congolese Sharing is caring conservation projects in Africa. could help plant thousands of trees Wildlife Authority Have you found any long-forgotten If you have share certificates in Walikale, protecting gorillas for to help keep the mountain gorillas share certificates during your that are doing nothing for you, find many decades. of the Virunga National Park safe. lockdown spring cleaning? Well, out how they can pay dividends for There is another way you can The A-lister, who was a those small pieces of paper can gorillas at [email protected] pay tribute to a loved-one’s support founding patron of the Gorilla make a big difference for gorillas. for The Gorilla Organization – by Organization, made the landmark ShareGift collects shareholdings The gifts that keep on giving making an ‘in memoriam’ gift in donation through his Earth Alliance large and small (and very small!) In the last few months, increasing their name. initiative. The funds will be used until there are enough shares to sell. numbers of people have been Please call us on 020 7916 4974 to maintain ranger patrols within They then donate the proceeds to a moved to make or update their or email [email protected]. the Congolese national park and to wide range of charities. Will. Many are also choosing to You can also find out more about help the families of those rangers So far, they have donated remember their favourite charities gifts in Wills – including a simple who have lost their lives in the fight more than £4,000 to the with a gift. downloadable codicil – at www. to keep the gorillas safe. Gorilla Organization to support For instance, a gift in a Will gorillas.org/legacy.

2 ...INTERNATIONAL NEWS...INTERNATIONAL NEWS...INTERNATIONAL NEWS... Rangers remain determined in face of Virunga’s darkest day It was, says Virunga National Park Director Emmanuel de Merode, a “devastating day, not just for the park but for the surrounding communities”.

Towards the end of April, 12 region, there are many conflicts rangers were killed in the line playing out, each with their own of duty. They had gone to the dynamics, though large, well- assistance of a community under organized militia pose the greatest attack from rebel militia when they threat to the rangers, wildlife and were ambushed. Alongside the the integrity of this unique habitat.” rangers – all aged between 24 and Few of the armed groups hiding 40 – a driver and four other civilians out in the dense forests of the lost their lives in the incident, which Virungas paid much heed to the happened just a short distance United Nation Secretary-General’s from the park’s headquarters at call for a global ceasefire in order Rumangabo. to allow governments to effectively The attack was the bloodiest day respond to the pandemic. Indeed, in in the long history of Africa’s oldest the communities around the park, National Park. However, it was far there are fears that the situation from unprecedented. Established could continue to deteriorate before in 1925 and stretching over 7,000 it gets any better. square miles, the Virunga National Coupled with the economic Park is famed for its biodiversity. worries caused by the pandemic and As well as its famous mountain the growing population – more than gorillas, it is home to elephants, 4 million people now live within a lions and okapis. It is also rich in day’s walk of the park – the burden As the death toll rises, Virunga’s rangers are more committed than natural resources, resources which being shouldered by the park’s ever to protecting the park’s endangered mountain gorillas armed groups will go to any lengths rangers is greater than ever. to exploit. A growing burden Feeding hungry communities Their work now goes far beyond watching over the park’s wildlife. They are also responsible for the a priority in rural Uganda safe passage of civilian vehicles through the protected zone, and As the Gorilla Organization’s “Many are unable to reach ambushes are commonplace. With project manager in Uganda, Dr the fields they usually work more training and better equipment, Samson Werikhe works directly on. They need food. And they the rangers have succeeded in with the communities living require support so they don’t feel drastically reducing the number of around Bwindi National Park. the need to break the law and go such attacks, as well as the number And since the pandemic brought into the gorilla habitat.” of civilians being killed in the park. tourism to a standstill and hit the In response, the Gorilla However, it is their success in local economy hard, he has been Organization has stepped up Rising gorilla numbers give keeping mountain gorillas safe working overtime. its sustainable agricultural rangers a vital morale boost against all the odds that gives “What I hear a lot these days programmes. A new agronomist rangers and conservationists the is: ‘We’re worried we’re going has been hired to help get the greatest hope. Mountain gorillas are to die of hunger before the virus most out of the soil, and a newly- The Park suffered through the the only sub-species of great ape in gets to us’,” Samson says. recruited technical assistant is civil wars of the 1960s and then the world whose numbers are rising, now busy showing people how from 1997 to 2003. When a fragile with more than 1,200 individuals to make a living from farming. peace returned to DR Congo, hopes now living in DR Congo as well Over the coming months, were high that tourism could drive as across the border in Uganda and the project will keep growing, economic and social development. Rwanda. building long-term resilience for However, ongoing insecurity has “For most rangers, this isn’t just the communities and reducing made this an impossible dream. a job but a passion,” Jillian Miller their reliance on the natural explains. “For all the danger they resources of the protected Hundreds killed face, they are determined to protect forests. Jillian Miller, Director of the Gorilla the wildlife they live alongside and

Organization, has seen the situation to protect their home. For many, the

worsen over the past couple of mountain gorillas are the ultimate We’re worried we will years. “Attacks on rangers have sign of why they make the sacrifices “ become all too commonplace, and they do, and the rising numbers With tourism at a “ die of hunger before around 200 have been killed over provides a real morale boost in the standstill, farming the virus gets to us the past 20 years. Right across the face of ongoing tragedy.” is vital

3 The Gorilla Organization Rangers to the rescue! 110 Gloucester Avenue London NW1 8HX Tel: 020 7916 4974 Thanks to the rapid response of [email protected] rangers and vets, two-year-old www.gorillas.org mountain gorilla Theodore was cut Reg. Charity No. 1117131 free from a nylon snare – saving his hand and possibly even his life. Trustees: While checking up on the Ian Redmond OBE, Chairman Humba Group, rangers patrolling Bishu Chakraborty the forests of the Virunga National Giles Clark Park noticed that the youngster Steve Crossman Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka had a crude nylon snare wrapped Lord Spencer J Phillips tight around his wrist. They alerted Professor Stuart Semple the Gorilla Doctors, specialist Belinda Wakeling vets working alongside the local wildlife authorities. Executive Director: Jillian Miller While rangers kept the group’s protective silverback distracted, the Patrons: vets worked on Theodore. They Michael Backes, Baroness Lynda also had to anaesthetize his mother Chalker, Prof. Richard Dawkins FRS, Kanyalire during the procedure. Leonardo DiCaprio, Daryl Hannah, Fortunately, they intervened just James Lewis, Hayley Mills, in time. While Theodore’s left Dr Nathan Myhrvold hand and arm were swollen due Digit News to the restricted circulation, an Editor: Jillian Miller amputation was not necessary. The snare was cut away and both Deputy Editor: David Hewitt mother and infant rejoined the rest (Above) Vets remove the snare from Theodore’s wrist and of the Humba Group. (right) Theodore stays close to his mother as he recovers Photographs: Mike Davison, Samson Werikhe, Emma Nicholls, Anna Somerset, Virunga National Park, Carl Graham, André Byamungu

DTP: Column Communications Ltd Graduates giving back

Printing: Red Mist Ltd Literacy means livelihoods. That’s why the Gorilla Organization has long made empowering the indigenous Batwa people of Uganda a priority. A mini baby Community development projects in Kisoro District offer boom in people a chance to earn a living without needing to chop down or burn trees, building a brighter future lockdown for people and gorillas.

Even as much of Africa Future in good hands went into lockdown, rangers And the future of these projects is continued to patrol the Bwindi in good hands. For the first time, National Park to check on its two Batwa students have graduated Literary training is the key to driving female empowerment – and most famous residents. And from university. Elias Segitondo nobody is too old to learn in the Batwa communities in the space of two days, they and Tumwebaze Scorah gained shared two pieces of good news. degrees in social work and business programme team, teaching vital Wildlife Authority, and further New babies had been born to not administration. skills to children and adults in two strengthening the excellent one but two gorilla groups. Degree in hand, Elias villages. relationship between the Gorilla In the Nghongi group – the immediately got to work alongside Tumwebaze, meanwhile, is Organization and the government family to which the Gorilla the Gorilla Organization’s literacy now working for the Uganda department. Organization’s adopted gorilla Raha belongs – Kabagyenyi saw an unnamed female closely gave birth at the start of May. guarding an infant who appeared Then, when the rangers checked to be around one week old. ++ STOP PRESS ++ up on the Muyambi group, they As usual, both mothers are The loss of a silverback can adolescent black back male in keeping their new babies close seriously upset the balance the group, has stepped up and to them at all times, and the of a gorilla group. So, with the taken charge. groups’ silverbacks are being violent death of Rafiki(see It’s hoped that, as Rwamutwe more protective than normal. page 1) rangers watching the matures and develops his This means it will be some Nkuringo group were worried distinctive silver back over the weeks before the sexes of the that the family could split up or next couple of years, the group infants can be confirmed. Until even be taken over – perhaps will keep thriving under the then, conservationists are simply violently – by a lone silverback. watchful eye of rangers – and celebrating two new reasons However, after a period of tourists when it is safe for hope amid a backdrop of of confusion, it appears for them to return to Bwindi uncertainty. Rwamutwe, the strongest Impenetrable Forest.

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