Rebel attack on Virunga National Park ranger patrol kills three in DR Congo

More than 130 rangers have been killed in the last 15 years protecting wildlife. Please help support their families.

More than 130 rangers have been killed by rebels - Please help their families

October 2012. Armed Mai Mai rebels have again attacked a ranger in Congo's Virunga National Park, killing two ICCN park staff and one soldier who was assisting the rangers. In addition, three soldiers were wounded, one critically. Five Mai Mai PARECO rebels were killed during the attack, as well as two wounded and captured. The wounded rebels are currently in custody at the hospital in Vitshumbi.

The attack took place at Mwiga Bay, an area just west of the fishing settlement of Vitshumbi on Lake Edward in the park's central sector, where a dramatic increase in the presence of armed militias has led to a growing number of attacks on park staff.

The park's Chief Warden, Emmanuel de Merode, said after the attack, "The civil war has brought an influx of militias into the park, intent on poaching and attacking the local population. This is bringing overwhelming pressures on our small team of rangers whose duty it is to protect the wildlife and the people living in and around the park. Once again, we are deeply shocked and saddened by the deaths of our colleagues."

Civil war has made the park's staff highly vulnerable
The outbreak of civil war in May this year has provoked the withdrawal of the military from many areas of Virunga National Park, leaving the park's staff vulnerable to the many illegal armed groups that frequent the area.

Continued:  http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/virunga-rangers012.html