It has been confirmed that yet another gorilla is dead. Reports emerged from the Rangers in Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who have arrested two men in possession of a dead juvenile mountain gorilla. The arrests were made on September 25th after an undercover investigation of a ring of suspected gorilla traffickers was initiated by the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN). Tragically, this was the tenth gorilla to be killed this year.
The female gorilla was about 3-4 years old and was taken from the Mikeno section of the park and is believed to have died about a week ago. The traffickers were trying to get $8,000 for the gorilla. The group is also believed to have abducted another gorilla, the whereabouts and condition of which are not yet known. The suspects are currently being questioned by the authorities.
The tragedy is the latest result of insecurity in this area of the DRC. Fighting between the DRC army (FARDC) and troops loyal to the dissident General Laurent Nkunda has recently made the National Park a no-go area for rangers, making it extremely difficult to protect the gorillas.
Safari Gorilla Offers mountain gorilla safaris and tours with the aim of sensitizing and raising awareness of these endangered species.
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