An exceptional team of rangers in Congo
Category: Rangers | Date: Aug 10 2006 | By: admin
We set up this blog to record the story of a unit of exceptional Congolese rangers formed in December 2005 in Virunga National Park. These rangers were picked to form a rapid intervention team capable of handling some of the worst conservation crises in the world.
The Advance Force on parade
They were picked and trained from the 490 rangers that have protected Virunga through the civil war. As such, these rangers have probably experienced some of the most difficult conditions imaginable in wildlife conservation, and yet they remain utterly committed to protecting Congo’s incredible wildlife. Since the beginning of the war, in 1996, ninety two of these rangers have been killed on active service. Given that they received no salary during the eight-year civil war, one would struggle to question their commitment and dedication.
The team itself was handpicked by Conrad Thorpe, a former colonel in the British Special Boat Service, and given commando training for about six months. So far, they’ve been deployed to help protect the last five northern white rhinos from imminent extinction in Garamba National Park, and have helped stem the land invasions on the eastern foothills of Mt Tchiaberimu, where a small population of lowland gorillas is being protected.
Conrad giving leadership training to the Advance Force
I should introduce myself. I am Robert Muir, and I manage the Frankfurt Zoological Society’s programme in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. After arriving in early 2004, just a few months after the end of the civil war, I felt overwhelmed with the scale of the crisis in the country, and felt the need for an exceptionally capable team of rangers to secure the parks, as well as local populations, from the brutality of armed militias who are Congo’s greatest scourge. After obtaining some funding from the European Union, the US Fish and Wildlife Service and UNESCO, and establishing the necessary collaborative agreements with the Congolese government, we went about setting up this team. We have now teamed up with the Africa Conservation Fund, and have committed ourselves to supporting this team of rangers, through the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN – the government agency that manages parks in Congo) for at least three years, hopefully longer. I have developed an enormous admiration for these rangers, and for their incredible efforts to protect their wildlife against all the odds. Their stories are lost, and so we set up this blog as a living record of their incredible achievements, to be developed by them and by all those that have worked with them or would support their effort.
Me and the flying zebra - the quickest and safest way to travel around the park
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11 Responses to “An exceptional team of rangers in Congo”
Leonard Mubalama, on 25 Aug 2006
I\’d really like to receive copy of the The stories of people working to protect Africa’s wildlife, particularly the Virunga National Park on regular basis.
Rob, on 26 Aug 2006
Hey Leonard, just sign up and you’ll get the stories straight to your email… or drop in from time to time and see what’s new.
Edward Burnett, on 07 Sep 2006
Rob,
It really does knock you for six when you read about the Rangers and their continued courage to fight to protect what they so strongly believe in. I think the blog is a fantastic way of keeping on record what the unbelievable brave individuals come up against day in and day out.
Well done for bringing this subject matter & situation to a wider community.
Kathleen Phelan, on 11 Sep 2006
This is a message for Robert Muir. I’m a producer at National Geographic Television & Film, and have always been impressed by the dedication of African park rangers.
The rangers in Virunga seem exceptional. Their work was brought to my attention by Eric Lindquist.
1) What are the possibilities of filming them in action?
2) Because our US/London executives assume a Eurocentric bias…
…are there still European/ or US advisors working with the Congolese rangers?
Thanks for your consideration
Kathleen Phelan
Emmanuel de Merode, on 12 Sep 2006
Kathleen, thanks for your comment. Rob was due to take a couple of weeks leave (it’s been a busy year…). I’ll get your message through to him right away. Emmanuel
rob, on 12 Sep 2006
Hi Kathleen, well I am British and our partner NGO, the Africa Conservation Fund, is managed by a Belgian, so I don’t imagine you will have to hunt too far for a Eurocentric bias! We don’t currently have any European instructors working with the park rangers as we are now entering an operational period following the last six months of intensive training. However, as an organization we do permanently work along side the Advance Force, providing both logistical and technical support for their anti-poaching operations.
I would be fantastic if National Geographic would be interested in filming the Congo Rangers. The work they do is quite remarkable given the hostile conditions and challenges they face, and there is real need for a better understanding and wider recognition of the sacrifices they make to conserve and protect our threatened heritage.
Give my best to Erik and tell him there are plenty more volcanoes for him to climb! And why isn’t he over for the elections??!
R
rob, on 12 Sep 2006
Cheers Ed, well the blog is only in its infancy at this stage. I want to start getting some video feed into it and liven things up a bit… stay tuned!
R
Linda Nunn, on 14 Sep 2006
If anyone would like to help the rangers, G4G (Gearing Up 4 Gorillas) is a registered charity in England, working with Robert Muir of FZS & the ICCN to take out much needed equipment (trucks/mtn bikes/binoculars etc). Just contact me at linda@g4g.co.uk & I can tell you more. First drop of gear due in the Congo later this year. I have met & seen these rangers at work & can confirm they are a truly fantastic set of guys, utterly committed & dedicated.
Congo Rangers » Blog Archive » Congolese military open fire on park rangers, on 15 Oct 2006
[…] The ICCN was unable to negotiate their release, and when dialogue broke down, the ICCNÂ sent in the Advance Force to go in and get them out! […]
Ned Baker, on 10 Jan 2007
Hi
I am currently doing an MA in international Journalism at University College Falmouth. I am amazed at the dedication that the rangers show and would like to offer my services. As part of my course I am required to make a twenty minute documentary on the subject of my choice. If possible I would like to film the rangers at work and would be more than willing to provide a companion piece to the documentary for any one willing to help me with this project. This could take the form of a promotional video, streaming video, etc. Does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks
Ned Baker
noonesat@aol.com
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