See below news hot off the press re Emmanuel de Merodes appointment as head of Virunga! G4G has worked closely with Emmanuel & others from Wildlife Direct for over a year now. Emmanuels move to Virunga will be the start of an even closer working relationship…Norbert is such an experienced senior ranger, has the rangers and gorillas close to his heart and is a just such a lovely man to boot! Together they will form a formidable team. Good luck and congratulations to both of them from all at G4G.
CONGO’S GORILLA SECTOR GETS NEW CHIEF 1 YR AFTER MASSACRE
The Congolese wildlife authority, ICCN, has named Dr. Emmanuel de Merode as the new Director of Virunga National Park, 1 year after the worst mountain gorilla massacre on record. The appointment of the former CEO of conservation group WildlifeDirect to ICCN is a move by the Congolese authorities to strengthen the rule of law, step up anti-poaching and prevent forest destruction for charcoal in Africa’s oldest national park. De Merode’s second in command will be Norbert Mushenzi, one of the most experienced senior wardens in the region.
ICCN’s Director, Cosma Wilungula said “We are absolutely committed to taking all the necessary measures to protect the mountain gorillas and bring security to the people living around Virunga National Park. The new team that we have appointed is a major step toward achieving this goal”.
After being sworn in by the Military Tribunal in Goma, de Merode will step into the role on 13 August 2008, taking command of the 680 rangers serving within the park.
“The intensity of the conflict in and around the park makes this a daunting challenge, but it is a great privilege to be working alongside such a dedicated and courageous team of rangers. I have real confidence in our ability to secure a future for the park to ensure that it makes a positive contribution to the lives of the people of North Kivu,” said de Merode.
The appointment follows a year which has seen Laurent Nkunda’s rebels take over the Gorilla Sector of Virunga National Park, as well as the ongoing trial of the suspects charged with orchestrating the killing of 6 mountain gorillas in July 2007.
The presence of an estimated 4,000 armed militias throughout the park, and a growing demand for the park’s natural resources - including charcoal, bushmeat and other illegal products - has led to massive and sustained attacks on the park’s wildlife. In 2007 10 mountain gorillas were killed and the hippo population of Lake Edward, once the greatest in the world, has been depleted by over 95% by armed militias. Over 120 rangers in Virunga have lost their lives in the line of duty after a decade of armed conflict in the region.
With financial assistance from the European Union, ICCN will be launching an ambitious plan to re-establish the rule of law within the national park, prevent the destruction of its wildlife, and secure the park as a basis for stability and economic growth in the country.
