14 October 2011

DR Congo: Rangers rescue baby gorilla in undercover operation

Representatives of the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo have rescued a baby gorilla from poachers in an undercover operation. The team of five Virunga representatives, all Rangers in the National Park, posed as potential buyers of the baby gorilla, of which they heard of being for sale via a tip coming from the Lubero territory and the town of Kayna in eastern DR Congo. The poachers, who kept the infant in a small backpack, asked for USD40,000 for the baby. The three poachers  were arrested once the undercover rangers had possession of the gorilla.



The baby gorilla, an Eastern Lowland Gorilla, got named Shamavu after the leader of the undercover operation, Ranger Christian Shamavu. The baby is now under the care of experienced gorilla handlers at the Virunga National Park.

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