Congo Rangers

Category: Rangers | Date: Nov 18 2006 | By: admin

Elie and his rangers on a training exercise

When not on operations, the Advance Force carry out training exercises near Ishango which remains relatively safe and isolated. This training helps prepare them for anti-poaching operations in more dangerous areas of the park where they may encounter Ugandan, Rwandan or Congolese rebel groups. Soon the rangers will be heading to the far northern sector of Virunga National Park, to an area which has been under the control of Ugandan rebels for several decades. Earlier this year, the UN Peacekeeping Force for DRC dispersed these rebel groups, but it is quite possible that many still remain. The ICCN now want to bring this area back under proper control and management, and the Advance Force will soon be moving in to try and establish an official ICCN presence on the ground for the first time in more than 30 years.

The rangers will need to be sharp, and training is key. Over the next few weeks, the rangers will be planning and preparing for what will probably be their toughest operation yet. The lorry from UNESCO is on its way and should be at Mutsora within the next couple of days. This will help with their deployment into the north and to supply rations and field equipment. Meanwhile, we will carry out aerial surveillance of the area to try and identify any obvious threats while similar reconnaissance will be carried out on the ground.