World Ranger Day

To day is world ranger day! The guys working in the field are doing a tremendous job, most of which is unseen. This year I had the privilege of trekking through Virunga National park to see the incredible Lowland Gorillas

Virunga is a magical place, but, also dangerous.

Although I felt safe travelling through the park with a ranger escort and an authorized tour company. Just 2 weeks after I left, sadly 2 tourists were abducted and one of Virunga’s female rangers shot as she was escorting them through the park. This brings the number of rangers killed in Virunga, protecting the park, to an astonishing 7, and its only just half of 2018! To date, 175 rangers have been killed protecting Virunga.

A ranger from Virunga National Park keeps an eye on the roads as tourist venture out of the compounds tracking Chimpanzees with a dedicated field guide. K Ghiot( C)

The dangers arise from many forms of conflict, which are real in many other countries not only the DRC. In Virunga, there has been an ongoing “war” with oil companies trying to get into the park to drill for oil – this battle was lost this month, after the government gave the go ahead for certain oil companies to drill in the park. PLEASE watch the Virunga movie on Netflix, for a little insight into this oil war.

Apart from large oil companies trying to stake their claim in the heart of Africa – there is an ongoing battle between the rebel soldiers and poachers (often they are both). From illegal logging for charcoal, to trapping and trafficking wildlife, to the illegal bush meat trade - it is a constant battle and war to protect the park and everything in it.

In July 2018, governing officials in the DRC stated that they were reviewing the export of 12 mountain gorillas to a zoo in China. K Ghiot (C)

Today – World Ranger Day – is about celebrating the incredible work these rangers do. The risks they take and the great conservation successes that could not happen without them.

Gorilla ranger in Virunga DRC. K Ghiot (C)

Thanks to Virunga and the collaborative work of conservationists in the Virunga Mastiff region, from 2014 – 2018 a new census reports an incredible 25% population growth!

CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) state that illegal wildlife has an annual value of $20 billion; on par (and only a little behind) with illegal drugs, arms, and human trafficking. This multi-billion USD syndicate network of criminals is a tough world for these rangers to be fighting in – are they prepared for this kind of conflict? Ranger training can be anything from 1- 6 months, and usually cover basic armed conflict situations. There are also a number of international military groups volunteering training to assist some park rangers. Is 6 months of basic training enough for this kind of conflict?

It is not an easy life in the field for many reasons. Today is a day to recognise the hard work and dedication of these conservation warriors!

Fallen stars - the names of all the rangers who have been killed in Virunga, listed on these stars in the widows workshop. K Ghiot (C)

EXCELLENT job and thank you! Thank you to all the rangers all over the world for the incredible work that you do!

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