Volcano threatens gorillas and rangers
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2021 • Issue 52 the gorilla organization
Volcano threatens gorillas and rangers
Living in Goma, says the Gorilla Organization’s Just a few kilometres outside of
Henry Cirhuza, is like living “at the door to hell”. the city, the endangered mountain
gorillas were panicked. They felt
the tremors, heard the thunderous
And on a Saturday night in May, road out of the city would be open, noises and choked on the heat and
that doorway opened again. or if nearby refugee camps would the sulphurous smoke. Rangers
Mount Nyiragongo, the volcano welcome them. reported that the gorillas were
which looms over Goma’s 670,000 Africa’s most active volcano, safe, but they were distressed. So
residents, erupted causing untold Nyiragongo last erupted in 2002. too were the rangers themselves.
damage. Henry and his family Then, the streets of the city center Streams of lava had destroyed the
were woken by what sounded like flowed red. This time, the lava only road from Goma city to the
thunder. They feared the worst. stopped short of Goma airport, just National Park headquarters (see
The following morning, the outside the centre. But the damage map). The ranger stations at Kibati,
authorities ordered the evacuation was significant. Some 3,000 homes Kibumbe and Rumangao were cut
of 10 city districts. As many as were destroyed and 35 people died. off. Without power and water, the
300,000 people began to leave Tragically, the mother of one of rangers were vulnerable and unable The nearby mountain gorillas are
with nothing more than they the Gorilla Organization’s team in to carry out their vital work. traumatised by the eruption
could carry. Rumours of a second Goma had a heart attack that night.
bigger eruption were spreading She died days later in a hospital Goma: An oasis in North Kivu of Congo. We have the resources
and nobody knew if the one main with no electricity or clean water. Henry has called Goma his home of Lake Kivu. But the danger never
for most of his life. Born in Sake, goes away, we just have to learn to
like many he moved to the city for live with it.”
work. Due to its position on the The city also has better
edge of the Virunga National Park, infrastructure than most places in
Goma is a hub for conservation, and the region. But again, this can fail,
the Gorilla Organization runs its as it did after this latest eruption.
community development projects Power lines went down, leaving
from here. people without water, light and
Henry was Project Manager communications, ideal ingredients
back in 2002 after the last eruption for a humanitarian emergency.
and saw the Gorilla Organization’s Even now the authorities are
Resource Centre buried under working to reunite children with
volcanic ash. It had to be completely the families they lost in the panic.
rebuilt. But Henry never once
considered leaving. “In some ways Pressure keeps rising
we are lucky,” he says. “The climate Projects li ke the Gor illa
is perfect – Goma is a lot more Organization’s community-based
hospitable than many other parts conservation initiatives do provide
a degree of certainty. However,
things are getting harder in Goma.
Since the start of the pandemic, the
number of people heading there
from surrounding villages has
risen. Without the chance to make a
living, there’s a risk that many will
look to the resources of the Virunga
National Park. The conservation
AFRICA
gains of the past decades could be
wiped out, pushing gorillas back
towards extinction and leaving
The road to three vital ranger people trapped in a vicious and
stations is cut off by lava unsustainable cycle of poverty.
www.gorillas.org 1
TERNATIONAL NEWS...INTERNATIO
Get set to put
the ‘fun’ into
fundraising
Lockdown meant no skydiving
adventures or epic runs. Even
fundraising drinks had to be put on
ice. But now restrictions are easing,
supporters everywhere are ready to
go ape once again! And we’re here
to help you.
The Gorilla Organization’s
Events Team have a wealth of
fundraising kits, tips and ideas to
help you get started, and are ready
to support any challenge.
Get in touch at events@ gorillas.
org and let’s get ready for a busy
year of helping apes in distress!
A contested Will meant that Dian Fossey (above) almost didn’t leave money to save her beloved gorillas Legacy Tea Parties are another
great way of bringing friends and
Planning ahead to leave a legacy family together to pledge to ensure
gorillas are around for generations
to come. We do all the work and
Dian Fossey dedicated her life to for gorillas is not in itself enough to lives and safeguarding gorillas and book the venue while you serve as
saving gorillas. But even then, her leave a legacy.” their precious habitat. the host and Gorilla Organization
legacy was in doubt. Through the generous gifts left The Gorilla Organization now Ambassador for the day. And if you
When she died, her Will was in supporters’ Wills, the Gorilla offers wildlife lovers a free online need help, our Director, Chairman
contested, meaning her money Organization has managed to keep its Will-writing service and can help and patrons are happy to come
almost didn’t go towards helping field projects going for many years. supporters through every stage of along to share their stories from the
the animals she loved. “Dian’s case This has meant that, even in times of the legacy leaving process. frontlines of gorilla conservation.
is a lesson to us all,” says Director insecurity and crisis, this important Find out more on the legacy page
Jillian Miller. “A lifetime of caring work has continued, transforming of www.gorillas.org.
Mr Gorilla hangs up
A global adventure for a good cause his suit…for now
Buoyed by his pre-pandemic visit Mount Olympus, completed. Now
to see the gorillas of Uganda, I can’t wait to get onto the next
fashion entrepreneur Leo Gripari one and raise vital funds to support
set himself a mega challenge, to projects that help keep gorillas and
test himself and to raise vital funds their habitat safe.”
for community-based conservation So far, Leo has run over 1,250km
projects in Africa. in preparing for his marathons and
The Athens-based founder has raised close to €160k, with
of That Gorilla Brand clothing research on the water projects That
company put together a challenge Gorilla Brand is supporting now Tom meets the late Dame Cheryl
he calls “Two Marathons, Two underway (see page 4). Gillan MP at Westminster
Mountains, One Canyon.” So, as
well as running a marathon across Mr Gorilla’s next challenge could
the desert in Jordan and also one in be his biggest yet. The fundraising
the Himalayas, he will climb Mount superhero (aka London police
Kilimanjaro and trek the entire rim officer Tom Harrison) raised tens
of the Grand Canyon. of thousands of pounds and made
Leo says, “It’s been great to get headlines around the world running
Leo at the top of Mount Olympus the first of my challenges, climbing marathons, hand-cycling across
whole countries and doing lockdown
laps of his neighbourhood – all in his
Lockdown Leo runs wild trademark gorilla suit.
Now, after seven years of
physical daring-do, Tom’s switching
Stuck at home in Essex endangered and close to extinction,” his energy to lobbying on behalf
during lockdown, Leo he says. And so when his cricket of gorillas. Inspired by the late
Nicholls read one of the and football clubs stopped meeting, environmentalist Dame Cheryl
Gorilla Organization’s he decided to combine his love Gillan, Mr Gorilla will return as a
leaflets. of exercise with his new-found cheerleader for the endangered apes,
Gorillas quickly determination to help gorillas in throwing his irrepressible energy into
became the 10-year- the wild. He set himself a target of getting politicians, sports stars and
old’s favourite animals. running 50km with his mum Sarah business leaders to play their part in
“I learned that they are and raised £550 for gorillas! Running Leo saving a species from extinction.
2
ONAL NEWS...INTERNATIONAL NEW
Rafiki legacy lives on
in Bwindi’s forests
It was a crime that made headlines around the world.
As the pandemic kept tourists away from Bwindi
Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda, poachers
seized the chance to lay down more snares, safe in the
knowledge that nobody would be around to see them.
A pair of poachers, in the forests weak. But the sudden loss of their
looking for small mammals to eat, leader now left the group in disarray
encountered Rafiki, the silverback and vulnerable. Within the space of
who had been in charge of the a few days, six gorillas left. Some
Nkuringo group for more than a joined the nearby Bishaho group,
decade. They panicked. Rafiki was while adult male Christmas left to
speared in the chest and left to die set up his own small family. Once
on the forest floor. 17-strong, the Nkuringo family was
The guilty poachers claimed now down to 11. And fears were
they were acting in self-defence. mounting that a lone, unhabituated
They said Rafiki had attacked them silverback could come in and wrest
first. However, the rangers and control, possibly violently.
vets who knew the silverback best
maintain that he would never attack A big ego brings new hope
a human being. Fast forward one year and the
“Habituated gorillas don’t Nkuringo group is stable and
know the difference between thriving. And it’s all thanks to
‘good humans’ and ‘bad humans’,” Rwamutwe. Though his name
explains Dr Gladys Kalema- means ‘one with the big ego’ in Rafiki’s death may have led to a power struggle, but Rwamutwe
Zikusoka, pioneering wildlife vet Swahili, Rwamutwe was always (inset) stepped up and is now in charge of the group
and Gorilla Organization Trustee. happy to be led by Rafiki. He
Even the many tourists who had was the group’s eldest and largest showing his authority. He’s even that Rwamutwe is the boss and
been lucky enough to spend an blackback, an adolescent male more starting to look the part of an alpha comfortable in his position.”
hour in his company believed the interested in play-fighting than male too. Rafiki may have been replaced
powerful silverback lived up to his leading. Tellingly, most rangers As Gorilla Organization as leader of the Nkuringo group but
name – Rafiki literally means ‘a and guides still referred to him as a Chairman and ape authority Ian his legacy lives on. In January, adult
friend’ in Swahili. blackback even after he had turned Redmond notes,“It may be that his female Furaha gave birth. The baby
While the authorities were 13, the age at which males start back gets steadily more silver as he is Rafiki’s youngest offspring and
busy catching and charging the getting the distinctive silver hairs adapts to his new responsibilities. is happy and healthy. What’s more,
culprits, conservationists had other on their back. These characteristics can be TV documentary crews are making
worries. What would become of However, Rafiki’s sudden death influenced by social status, with plans for a special film on the
the Nkuringo group now? Rafiki meant Rwamutwe had to grow up hormones either sped up or family, celebrating the conservation
had peacefully taken over when his fast. Now aged 17, he has assumed suppressed according to who’s triumph that has emerged out of
own father had become too old and control over the group and is clearly in charge. So this is a clear sign unspeakable tragedy.
Gorilla conservation is a family affair in Kisoro
The Nkuringo mountain from grassroots development and education and conservation
gorilla group isn’t the only conservation projects. This way, for knowhow.
family thriving in Uganda. example, mothers can benefit from The approach has got a lot
Despite the challenges posed sustainable agriculture training, of attention from both the Ugan-
by the pandemic, the Gorilla while fathers join the Reformed dan Government, the Uganda
Organization has continued Poachers Project, ensuring families Wildlife Authority, and other
to make great progress in are able to earn a living without NGOs working in the region who
its pioneering ‘family first’ relying on the protected resources have started to adopt this multi-
approach to community of the forests. generational approach to their
conservation in Kisoro District. At the same time, with work. Now, with the training
In targeted ‘front line the Children for Sustainable hall of the Gorilla Organization’s
villages’ bordering both the Development initiative now active Kisoro Resource Centre ready to
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in 24 primary and secondary re-open as soon as the Covid-19
Dads and their kids play their and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, schools, the next generation are lockdown ends, even more local
part in saving gorillas whole families are benefitting getting a head start in environmental families are set to benefit.
3
The Gorilla Organization
110 Gloucester Avenue
London NW1 8HX
Community reserves a safe
haven for Grauer’s gorillas
Tel: 020 7916 4974
info@gorillas.org
www.gorillas.org
Reg. Charity No. 1117131
Trustees:
Since they don’t live high up in the
Ian Redmond OBE, Chairman
dense forests like their mountainous
Bishu Chakraborty
Giles Clark
cousins, Grauer’s gorillas (also known
Steve Crossman as the eastern lowland gorilla) are far
Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka more likely to come into unwelcome
Lord Spencer J Phillips contact with humans.
Professor Stuart Semple And since their home range
Belinda Wakeling stretches across large parts of eastern
DR Congo, one of the least secure
Director: Jillian Miller places in Africa, gorilla numbers
have been falling steadily over the
Patrons: past few decades.
Stanley Johnson, President Emeritus, Now, however, conservationists
Michael Backes, Baroness Lynda have been given a glimmer of hope.
Chalker, Prof. Richard Dawkins FRS, Research published in the American
Leonardo DiCaprio, Daryl Hannah,
Journal of Primatology indicates that
James Lewis, Hayley Mills,
the population decline may not be as
Dr Nathan Myhrvold
big as initially thought.
Digit News Long weeks of counting nests led
Editor: Jillian Miller the researchers to revise the previous
estimate of gorillas living in the
Deputy Editor: David Hewitt Kahuzi Biega National Park and the
nearby Oku Community Reserve up New research shows that there are more eastern lowland gorillas
Photographs: Dr Samson Werikhe, from 3,800 to 6,800. than previously believed thanks to a broader scope of study
Frances Tugumisirize, Jackson Of course, the threats facing the
Mugorozi, Gorilla Doctors, Uganda gorillas remain the same. In some hugely encouraging to see there Just like at Oku, the Gorilla
Wildlife Authority, Zac Mills cases, they have even intensified, with may be more lowland gorillas than Organization’s project at Walikale
hunting for bushmeat rife. However, we once feared. And it’s interesting Community Reserve is doing just
Design: Column Communications Ltd
the study also shows the effectiveness to see that gorillas were mostly that, ensuring local people have a say
Printing: Red Mist Ltd of community reserves as well as found furthest away from roads and in forest management and providing
National Parks. human populations, highlighting the a safe home for gorillas to live in
Director Jillian Miller notes: “It’s importance of keeping forests intact.” peace and to thrive.
Mapping Bwindi’s water needs Queen Bee
the edge of the park boundaries to incidences of people trespassing
aims big
the National Park staff tasked with into the gorilla habitat in order to As ‘Queen
patrolling the forests and protecting find water. Bee’ of Kisoro
the endangered mountain gorillas Dr Samson Werikhe, the District, Jovia
living there. Gorilla Organization’s Regional Basenga
To get a better overview of the Programme Manager for Uganda, (pictured)
situation, a team from the Gorilla explains: “Having reliable access has helped
Organization’s Kisoro Resource to clean water will make such a hundreds of
Centre spent weeks surveying huge difference for people living local people
hundreds of residents, assessing on the border of the National give up
their needs and challenges. Samson, Park. Delivering this will be a poaching.
Frances and Jackson also mapped big challenge – but our close But Queen
out the communities in most need connections with the communities Bee Jovia is
of clean water and identified both will be a big advantage as we find a just getting
seasonal and permanent water solution that works for everyone.” started. She
sources in the area. is working
Interviewing a family in drought- on creating a
ridden Nyabaremura village Ambitious project “Bee-lectric
Together, they presented their fence” – a
For the communities living findings to a team of consultants chain of a
alongside the Bwindi Impenetrable from the charity Just a Drop who thousand
Forest National Park in Uganda, visited the Resource Centre and beehives
getting clean water is a constant surveyed the sites in June. The stretched along the southern
and time-consuming struggle. consultants’ research will be used boundary of the Bwindi
Water sources are unreliable for an ambitious project to get forests. Not only will this give
and unpredictable. In many cases, clean water to target villages and thousands of households a way
people will walk for more than communities located on the very to supplement their nutrition,
an hour to get it. And even then, edge of the protected forests. but the bees will also deter
they will have to use a mosquito As well as improving the lives greedy gorillas from venturing
net to filter out dirt and even of thousands of people, it would With a reliable water supply, onto farmland. Find out how
animal waste. The problem affects also give gorillas rangers one less rangers will be able to patrol you can help Jovia meet her
everyone – from families living on thing to worry about and reduce the gorilla habitat for longer goal at www.gorillas.org.
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