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Latest news IGCP update on the situation in Mikeno sector, PNV. The security situation in the Mikeno sector of PNVi has become steadily more unstable since Friday October 5th, and the rangers who were monitoring Rugendo and Mapuwa groups and Ruzirabwoba from Jomba have fled into Uganda. With the assistance of the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the Ugandan authorities and helped by the International Gorilla Conservation Programme, the 7 rangers were assisted to travel through Ishasha (Uganda), back through DRC in order to join the rest of the ICCN rangers in Rumangabo (park headquarters). This has meant that the total number of displaced rangers and their families from the most recent conflict is approximately 30, which is straining the resources available at the station. Accordingly the resources which have been raised for the emergency plan may be utilized to assist the rangers in their current situation. Over the weekend fighting has been ongoing between the DRC army and the rebels between Bikenge and Bukima patrol posts, which has resulted in the residents of this area moving out of the area and heading west towards Rumangabo to escape the conflict. On Sunday October 7th, the rebels had taken control of the entire Mikeno sector resulting in ICCN being unable to go into the park and there is currently no news on the situation with the gorillas. After consultation between the IGCP DRC Programme Officer and Director Mushenzi (ICCN) on Sunday, a decision was made to remove all valuable equipment from Rumangabo to Goma, including the GPS units, computers, radios and binoculars. This equipment is now being stored in Goma with ICCN and the NGOs that have office storage space. Summary of Mountain Gorilla deaths Total killed in 1995: 3 Total orphaned and reintroduced to family in 1995: 1 Total killed in 1997: Between 6-11 (1silverback plus 5-10 gorillas) Total killed in 1998: 2 Total killed in 2001: 1 Total killed 2003: 1 Total killed in 2007: 10 Total missing in 2007: 2 Total orphaned and under care in 2007: 2 Total orphaned and still with family in 2007: 1 Chronology 13th August 1995: 1 silverback and one adult female shot in Rugabo group. One infant orphaned, recovered from poachers and reintroduced to natal group 29th August 1995: 1 silverback shot from Luwawa group 18th May 1997: Attack on Ndungutse family. Silverback (Ndungutse) shot along with 5-10 other gorillas 2nd September 1998: Two juveniles (Birori and Gasigwa) in Lulengo family shot 15th July 2001: Rugendo (silverback) shot, caught in cross fire 21st January 2003: Infant (Bahati) killed from Rugendo group by community members while group were crop raiding (community threw stones to chase gorillas out of the field and killed the infant) January 2007: Two silverbacks killed, one identified as the habituated lone silverback Karema, the other remains un-identified. January 2007: Lulengo missing (group of 2 individuals). June 2007: Attack on Kabirizi family. One female (Nsekuye) was shot and one female (Lessenjina) is missing. One infant (Kabila) was orphaned by the death of Nsekuye and taken into the care of the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project (MGVP) and ICCN in Goma. One infant (Mutazimiza) of the missing female is still with the family and is currently being closely monitored by ICCN and MGVP. July 2007: Attack on Rugendo family. The silverback (Senkwekwe) killed and a total of 4 females (Safari, Mburanumwe and Neza were found immediately; the bones of Macibiri were recovered later). One infant was orphaned by the death of Safari and taken into the care of MGVP and ICCN in Goma. One infant is still missing and is presumed. The total number of deaths therefore is 6 (including the infant that is presumed dead) and 1 orphan. The family group is now down to 5 members from the original 12, led by a black back male with one female that has not yet reached reproductive age. August 2007: Lulengo found, however Ruvebo (female) is still missing September 2007: Juvenile gorilla recovered from poachers/gorilla traffickers. Unfortunately by the time ICCN discovered the location of the gorilla she was already dead. The gorilla was taken from Mikeno sector however it is not yet know which group she originated from. Investigations are ongoing. Download an overview of the remaining Mikeno sector gorilla families. Download photos of the gorillas currently in the Mikeno sector.
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