Gorilla Journal 23, December 2001
Rugendo Is Dead
During June and July 2001, there was an increase in fighting between the
military of the rebel forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
Rwanda and Uganda with militia groups in eastern Congo. Much of the fighting
took place in the forested Virunga Volcanoes. Rugendo, the dominant male
of one of the gorilla groups on the Congolese side of the border, was
shot dead during clashes between the military and Interahamwe militia
groups on July 15, 2001. He died about 40 m from the park boundary.
Rugendo had been habituated since 1986 and was visited by hundreds of
tourists. His body was taken to Rumangabo, the park headquarters, for
examination. His remains will be buried there, with those of the other
gorillas killed during the war. His son, Sekwekwe has taken over leadership.
From a press release by the African Wildlife Foundation
Virunga National
Park overview
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