Gorilla Journal 34, June 2007

Ranger Posts Attacked

Mai-Mai rebels attacked the ranger posts at Burusi and Kalibina, Mt. Tshiaberimu, on 20th May 2007. Their gunfire killed Nicolas Mbusa Viranzire, 34 years old, who worked for the WWF program PEVi, and injured three other men. The pregnant wife of a ranger had a shock abortion and died later. Moreover, the population was forced to flee, and hostages were taken by the rebels and released later.
The reason for the attacks was that the rebels wanted to plunder equipment. The Mai-Mai, who are still based in Muramba, at the shore of Lake Edward (illegally - within the park), also are responsible for the slaughter of hippos in the Virunga National Park.
As the rebels had threatened to kill all Mt. Tshiaberimu gorillas, the rangers searched for them, and they found all the 21 individuals to be alive and well.

Summary of a report by Ephrem Balole and WildlifeDirect's Virunga National Park blogs
 

Mt. Tshiaberimu Overview

Homepage