2018 • Issue 49 the gorilla organization Gorilla rangers killed as Mountain gorilla fresh crisis grips Congo population The Virunga National Park in eastern DC Congo is a natural paradise. hits 1,004! Tragically, for those who dedicate their lives to keeping its wildlife, Mountain gorillas are shy, including its famous mountain reclusive and move large distances gorillas, safe, it has now become every day. But, thanks to the skills a living hell. Large parts of the of experienced rangers and the reserve are controlled by armed latest technology, it’s possible militia and the ‘thin green line’ of to count them down to the very rangers standing between them and last lone silverback. And the the critically-endangered gorillas is latest census brought some very getting more fragile by the day. good news: there are now 1,004 Between April and May, seven mountain gorillas in the world. staff working for the Virunga Given the world population National Park died in three separate dropped to below 250 in the incidents which made news 1980s, when Dian Fossey was headlines around the world. Firstly, working in the field, this is a true a single ranger was killed amid conservation success story and demonstrations against a new hydro- Fighting has spread into the forest home of mountain gorillas proof that a joined-up approach electric plant. While this project has to conservation produces results. been hailed as a way of providing deeply shocking and a huge blow Goma. “The rate at which rangers are “Just four years ago, we local communities with clean for conservation efforts,” says being attacked has risen dramatically released our ‘Gorilla Charter’, energy, critics argue that only richer Jillian Miller, Director of the over the past few months. I often see pledging to do everything we could households will benefit. Given that Gorilla Organization. “Henry, rioting in the streets of Goma and the to get mountain gorilla numbers most people living within a day’s our programme manager in the unrest is spreading out of the city to up to the 1,000 mark,” says Jillian walk of the National Park have little country, sends regular reports that the National Park, including in the Miller, Director of the Gorilla fuel for their own personal use, highlight just how lawless the area zones where the gorillas live.” Organization. “I’m delighted to tensions have been high ever since around Goma – where we have our The Gorilla Organization’s say that this goal has now been work on the plant; ultimately this Resource Centre – and the section projects in DR Congo are ongoing realised. We now know there are cost the life of a gorilla guardian. of the National Park closest to Lake despite the challenging times. at least 1,004 mountain gorillas Edward have become. I fear we will Flights between Walikale and living in the wild today, and they Ranger deaths rising see more rangers lose their lives Goma are now regularly cancelled are slowly but surely moving back In the second incident, five rangers as they risk everything to keep the due to the insecurity. This makes it from the brink of extinction.” and their driver were killed after gorillas safe from harm.” harder – and more dangerous – for being ambushed by rebels in staff to travel to the field projects or the park’s northern sector. As with A big step backwards to check up on the gorillas. But as nearly all the 175 rangers killed in the When the Virunga National Park Henry notes: “We’ve never backed line of duty since the Virunga National opened to visitors in 2014, hopes down before and we won’t now. This Park was established in 1925, all those were high that tourism could drive is when the gorillas need our help who died on the bloodiest day the sustainable development in the the most and cannot let them down!” reserve has known were young men, region. As well as providing jobs, a most with wives and children. But, in proportion of the money generated the most recent attack, a 25-year-old through ‘gorilla tourist visas’ would How you can help? female ranger was killed as she tried go to local communities, providing See how you can make a to protect two British tourists visiting them with a source of income and difference in the fight to save the park to see its famous gorillas. reducing their reliance on the natural DR Congo’s mountain gorillas Together these events have led to resources found in the gorilla habitat. at http://www.gorillas.org/ tourism being suspended indefinitely. “This feels like a big step congo-crisis/ “These latest attacks are backwards,” Henry explains from www.gorillas.org 1 ...INTERNATIONAL NEWS...INTERNATIONAL NEWS...INTERNATIONAL NEWS... Mr Gorilla rides again How do you top knuckle-crawling the entire 26-mile route of the London Marathon (and becoming a media superstar and raising £40,000 in the process)? Well, if you’re Mr Gorilla, you just get on your bike! The indomitable Tom Harrison, the man behind the black fur mask, hand-cycled the 660 miles from John O’Groats in the very north of Scotland down to Land’s End, the southern-most tip of England. Along the way, the London policeman gave interviews to press, radio and TV crews, raising awareness of the ongoing plight of the gorillas. For Police officer Tom Harrison has been clocking up the miles for gorillas his incredible effort, Mr Gorilla raised a further £3,000 to support Until then, he wants other wildlife- Gorilla themed tea party, arranging Thank you! conservation work in Africa. lovers to follow his lead: “I would a cake sale at work or running a Mr Gorilla has still to decide urge supporters to take on any marathon. After all, nothing comes In February, we asked you how on his next fundraising adventure. challenge, whether that is having a from doing nothing!” much you would be willing to give to help gorillas in the wild. And the response was simply Team Gorilla overwhelming. The month’s with their London appeal was purposefully Marathon medals hard-hitting, showing gorillas Marathon in distress and stressing that every minute a snare is left undiscovered on the forest floor a gorilla is at risk of serious gorillas injury or even death. “The appeal raised an Team Gorilla endured record- incredible £35,386,” says Anna breaking heat to make it across Somerset. “Once again, we are the finish line of the 2018 London delighted to see how much our Marathon. Three runners flied the supporters care about gorillas, flag for gorillas over the course and how generous they are of 26.2 miles, helping bring the ready to be to fund the fight to message of gorilla conservation keep them from extinction. to a global audience of millions. Thank you!” They also raised over £4,500 Also going the distance was for the Gorilla Organization’s Fiona Mills. She recalls: “The fact conservation and development that I’d received such amazing projects in Africa. He adds: “I was, however, spurred support from all my donors is what Though an experienced distance on by the fantastic donations I had kept me going, as was knowing runner, Robert Cummings said received, and in the knowledge that it that this would make a difference. the April event was “one of the was helping continue the great work I simply had to cross that line for toughest marathons I have done.” that the Gorilla Organization does.” those amazing gorillas.” Great Gorilla Run 2018 After a decade in the City, the “This gives us a great chance Great Gorilla Run is moving to to inspire a new generation of Amazon Smile London’s West End, and you gorilla guardians, while holding on can be a part of it! Registration to what’s always made the Great Want to help make a gorilla smile? is now open for the iconic Gorilla Run so popular,” says Then sign into smile.amazon.co.uk and event, which will take place Events Manager Chris Perrin. on Sunday 23 September. It “Registration is open to both teams nominate the Gorilla Organization as will be held in partnership and individual runners and there your chosen charity! A small proportion with Kings College London, will be trophies awarded on the of anything you buy will go to support with hundreds of students to day, including for Best Dressed be joined by “silverbacks” Gorilla ...so sign up and get gorilla conservation projects. It’s super in full gorilla suits as they creative!” easy to use and can be done through run through the heart of the your existing Amazon account. British capital. www.greatgorillarun.org 2 ...INTERNATIONAL NEWS...INTERNATIONAL NEWS...INTERNATIONAL NEWS... A year in Walikale The Walikale Community Forest lies deep in the Albertine Rift in eastern DR Congo. It’s not only incredibly remote, in many places it’s largely lawless. The forests are dense and often unmapped and the terrain tough to navigate. Nevertheless, the Gorilla Organization’s Walikale Gorilla and Forest Conservation Project has been making significant progress over the past 12 months, testament to the hard work of the team working under Project Manager André Byamungu. Lost forever The project is an ongoing With eastern lowland gorillas operation, funded by trusts and now classed as critically- the generosity of individual endangered, just one step from donors, with the aim of counting being lost forever, the emphasis and then protecting a previously- now is on safeguarding these undocumented population of 351 apes from the many and eastern lowland gorillas.