Congo Rangers

Category: Active Service, Crises, General, Hippos | Date: Jan 10 2007 | By: admin

I have just spoken to Elie.  He tells me that the anti-poaching operations are going well, and that in the last three weeks only 3 hippos have been killed.  This is compared to 109 hippo bodies found butchered in the three weeks before they arrived. 

The rangers are really happy with how things are going and have now made a total of 17 arrests.  Many of the poachers have already been transported to Goma where they are awaiting prosecution.  The rest are still being questioned at Rwindi ranger station.  Once their statements have been taken, they will also be brought to Goma to face the local magistrate, and a long sentence if found guilty. 

Meanwhile it sounds like the Mai Mai, feeling the heat, have abandoned their camp at Cyndo.  Just to be sure, Elie sent in one of his rangers earlier today dressed as a local fisherman.  If the Mai Mai really have left, the rangers will go in and dismantle whatever remains of the camp.  If they are still there, I hope the ranger makes it back ok…