Militia kill staff and Okapi at Wildlife Reserve

Okapi all killedJuly 2012. Further reports from DRC reveal just how bad the raid by the Simba rebels (Mai Mai militia) in June was. When they attacked the Institute in Congo for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN) headquarters of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve near the village of Epulu in the north-eastern area of the Democratic Republic of Congo, it appears that they killed 6 people, including 2 rangers and the wife of a ranger, as well as 14 okapi that were kept at the headquarters.

Grave concerns for 100 staffCongolese Army and UN Troops continue to pursue the Mai Mai Simba rebels, led by 'Morgan', but they have to be cautious as more than 30 hostages were taken from Epulu to transport stolen goods through the forest. Last reports indicate that the rebels had crossed the Ituri River on the southern border of the Reserve and were heading west. ICCN Conservator Somba is in Epulu now coordinating the ICCN salvage operation and making assessment of rebuilding needs. Several guards from remote patrol posts have gone to Epulu to help restore order and clean up.

Revenge attack
It has been verified that the attack led by Morgan was an act of revenge against ICCN for targeting his elephant poachers and illegal gold miners operating in the Reserve. The continent-wide war on elephants, driven by escalating prices for ivory, provided Morgan with the funds to buy weapons and mount his attack on Epulu. ICCN leadership and partner organizations are encouraging Congolese Army officers and U.N. leaders to continue to pursue and apprehend the rebels. 

The Okapi is the flagship species for one of the most biologically diverse spots on Earth--the Democratic Republic of Congo's Ituri Rainforest. Today, there are approximately only 10,000 - 20,000 okapi in the wild.

To make a donation to help the local people, rebuild the conservation station and provide assistance to the ICCN to continue to protect the wildlife of the Ituri Forest, please click here.

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/okapi-reserve-congo.html

Militia attack Okapi Wildlife Reserve & kill guards

Okapi in danger
June 2012. Early in the morning on June 24th, Simba rebels (Mai Mai militia) attacked the Institute in Congo for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN) and headquarters of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve near the village of Epulu in the north-eastern area of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

5 guards killed
According to the Okapi Conservation Project, at least five guards were killed, and destruction of buildings and looting has occurred. Fighting his way past the rebels, the reserve's Conservator Gishlain Somba escaped and walked through the night to Mambassa, where he is coordinating with the Congolese Army (FARDC) being deployed to the area, along with top rangers from Virunga National Park.

Grave concerns for 100 staff
"We are gravely concerned about the fate of our 100 staff members and the 14 okapi at the breeding and research station," said John Lukas, Founder of the Okapi Conservation Project. "As soon as the area is safe, we will go and provide whatever help we can."

The Okapi is the flagship species for one of the most biologically diverse spots on Earth--the Democratic Republic of Congo's Ituri Rainforest. Today, there are approximately only 10,000 - 20,000 okapi in the wild.

To make a donation to help the local people, rebuild the conservation station and provide assistance to the ICCN to continue to protect the wildlife of the Ituri Forest, please click here.

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/okapi-reserve.html