Gearing up 4 Gorillas

The 1st three classrooms of the new school at Rumangabo is nearing completion.

The funds are being provided by the Adam Murry Foundation here in Bournemouth.

The Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN), gorilla.cd, French charity Soderu, G4G and the Murry Foundation have all worked together to enable this wonderful new school to be built. The timing is pretty good too, as the old school finally collapsed from the vibration of tankfire back in October….

Both teachers and children alike are eagerly waiting for the school to be finished.

Tim & Kim travelled to London, on Thursday 15th January to take part in the YoG launch.

Donning gorilla suits they took to the ice along woth professional skaters & celebrities. ‘Gorillas Skating on Thin Ice’ was the theme.

Lets make this year a good one for our gorilla cousins……�

“Gorillas Skating on Thin Ice” is the event taking place today, Thursday 15th january at the Natural Histroy Museum ice rink in London.

The ‘2009 - Year of the Gorilla’ ambassador, Ian Redmond, will officially launch the initiative, designed to raise awareness of the urgent conservation needs of all four gorilla species.

Donning gorilla suits, two trustees from G4G will be joining other ‘gorillas’ on the ice, in the presence of national & international media.

Look out for coverage on the major TV channels…..

With great sadness, we have received confirmation of the death of Ranger Safari Kakule. Safari was in Tshiaberimu with 6 other Rangers last night, when they were attacked without warning. They defended their position, managing to apprehend a Mai Mai officer, but the attack was extremely violent and they were far outnumbered. As they retreated from their position, Safari was fatally hit by the attackers’ gunfire.

Mt Tshiaberimu is to the north of the Mikeno gorilla sector and has an isolated group of gorillas. The Gorilla Organisation (GO) concentrates it’s work in Virunga National Park at Mt Tshiaberimu, working with the local communities and monitoring this important group of gorillas.

Safari, an ICCN ranger, had also received veterinary training and was going to play an important role in caring for the gorillas at Mt. Tshiaberimu.  Emmanuel will be doing his utmost to bring those responsible, to justice.

A tragic and senseless loss for Virunga and the world of gorilla conservation.

Condolensces have been sent to his family and colleagues.

Linda

Chair, G4G