Two elephants killed by Hutu militia in Virunga

Two elephants have been killed by FDLR rebels near Rwindi, in the central sector of Virunga National Park. The FDLR are comprised of Hutu militia who were involved in the Rwandan genocide.

A group of Congo Rangers had gone on patrol on the Rwindi plain encountered a group of FDLR poachers. A gunfight ensued and the Rangers were able to push the rebels back. No-one was injured on either side and the rebels escaped.

The Rangers then discovered the bodies of two elephants that the rebels had killed. The elephants still had their tusks and had clearly just been killed. In response to this, the ICCN will be deploying fifteen Rangers from the Advanced Force to Rwindi this week.

This attack follows several bad months for the elephants of Virunga, including the killings of elephants in April and May of this year. Let's hope the Advanced Force will be able to turn the tide.

Congo Rangers

An exceptional team of Rangers in Congo

The Congo rangers have continued their work without interruption throughout the war, and during that time the gorillas have increased by over 14%. But this has come at a cost. 97 of Virunga's rangers have died protecting the park's wildlife against poachers since 1996.

YOU CAN HELP THE CONGO RANGERS WITH THEIR DESPERATE EFFORTS TO KEEP THE GORILLAS ALIVE BY DONATING HERE.