Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Cares for Orphaned Gorilla Infant, Supports More Guards In Response to Latest Killings in Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (DFGFI) is again working with local authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to help care for an infant mountain gorilla that was orphaned as the result of an armed attack, the second killing of gorillas in two months in the Virunga National Park, DRC. This week’s attack resulted in the deaths of three female gorillas and the dominant silverback Senkwekwe. The perpetrators have not been identified.

Following the killing of a female gorilla last month, DFGFI agreed to provide funds to DRC’s parks authority (ICCN – Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature) for hiring and training 12 additional local people as armed guards to help park rangers protect the endangered animals. DFGFI already supports armed patrols in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, where DFGFI’s Karisoke Research Center studies about one fourth of the mountain gorillas who live in the Virunga range, and supports ICCN through a research program at Kabara, DRC.

On July 23, Congolese guards from ICCN discovered the four adult gorilla bodies near Bukima, close to the Ugandan boarder. The gorillas belonged to a 12-member group known as the “Rugendo” family that is often visited by researchers and tourists. The female infant, named Ndeze, was carried away from the scene of the attack by her brother, a blackback (young adult male gorilla) following the shooting of Ndeze’s mother Safari. After guards alerted the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project (MGVP), staff of both groups returned to the scene, temporarily anesthetized the blackback with a tranquilizer dart and brought the infant to DFGFI’s shelter for confiscated and orphaned gorillas in Goma.

Ndeze was found to be slightly dehydrated but in better condition than expected. She immediately accepted bottled milk and will continue to receive food, medical care and other nurturing from DFGFI staff in conjunction with MGVP until she is able to return to the wild. She joins the female infant Ndakasi, who was found clinging to her dead mother’s body in June. Ndakasi recently recovered from a serious bout with pneumonia and anemia. Staff report that she is gaining weight and doing well but must undergo further testing.

“We are springing into action to prevent more senseless killings of these seriously endangered and precious animals,” says Clare Richardson, DFGFI president and CEO. “The most effective thing we can do right now is to get additional well-trained and well-equipped guards into the park. Conservation International will be supporting the park guards with a grant from the Primate Action Fund in collaboration with DFGFI. This will allow approximately 40 new guards to be added to ICCN’s park protection efforts. We will follow up with a broad conservation education program supported by one of our private donors.”

The loss of three more adult females and the dominant silverback leader is likely to mean the disintegration of the Rugendo family, according to Richardson. “Any loss of a mountain gorilla is tragic but the death of half a family group is a severe blow to the future of the population. Fortunately, we are able to take action to do our best to prevent further losses.”

DFGFI expanded its work to Congo in 2000, with joint patrols and support of local guards, at the request of ICCN. Both groups will work together to form patrols with local people who are well acquainted with the area.

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