Conservation Support
21 November 2008
Chester Zoo has now made a financial contribution to Virunga National Park to assist with supporting the displaced rangers.
As troubles continue to flare in the Democratic Republic of Congo, rangers in the Virunga National Park have been forced to leave as rebel forces take hold.
The park - the second oldest national park in the world behind only Yellowstone - is home to a third of the earth’s last 700 critically endangered mountain gorillas.
More than 50 rangers were forced to leave the area and have desperately made their way to safety in Bulengo under the guidance of the United Nations.
The rangers work tirelessly to protect the park and its flora and fauna but now face an uncertain future due to the continuing tensions in the area. Rebel forces have seized the park’s headquarters, leaving the rangers without sanctuary and the mountain gorillas without protection.
Chester Zoo, a registered conservation charity, has now made a financial contribution to the park to assist with supporting the displaced rangers.
“These are very desperate times for the people of the DR Congo,” said Roger Wilkinson, Chester Zoo’s Head of Field Programmes and Research.
“The situation, as we understand it, is dire and we could not stand back and see both humans and animals suffering in this way. This is a violent period, the area has effectively become a battlefield however the rangers are a brave and resilient group who do a magnificent job and deserve our help and support.”
It is hoped the zoo’s contribution will help support the rangers and their families during the conflict, which has seen an uprising amongst rebels loyal to General Laurent Nkunda.
“As a charity, we support and run projects around the world and, in some cases, our conservation activities relate to both humans and animals and particularly to schemes that enable both to co-exist peacefully.
“To this end, we had no hesitation in helping Virunga National Park during this time of crisis and we very much hope that the conflict and fighting comes to an end very soon,” added Roger.