VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK
The Virunga National Park (formerly Albert National Park) lies from the Virunga Mountains, to the Rwenzori Mountains, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, bordering Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Rwenzori Mountains National Park in Uganda. Covering 7,800 square kilometres (3,000 sq mi) it was established in 1925 as Africa’s first national park. It was classified as a World Heritage Site in 1979. In later years it has become known for its mountain gorillas, although poaching and the Congo Civil War have seriously damaged its wildlife population. The park is managed by the Congolese National Park Authorities, the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN).

The national park covers the western shores of Lake Edward, known for its hippopotamuses (depleted by more than 95 percent in 2006) while elsewhere, marshland, grassland plateau and plains dominate the park. The Ruwenzori Mountains lie on the Ugandan border and rise to alpine meadows and a glacier, while Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira are both active volcanoes with substantial associated lava plains.

Although mountain gorilla are now extremely rare, successful conservation work has secured the remaining populations. In fact, they increased during the years of political upheaval in the region (1994-2004). It is believed that both savanna and forest elephants and chimpanzees can still be found in Virunga, along with Okapi, giraffes, buffaloes and many endemic birds. The neighbouring Mount Hoyo area was managed with the park and is home to a population of Bambuti Pygmy people, caves and waterfalls, but since the civil wars, the park has suffered somewhat. Land invasions and intense poaching have challenged the park authorities to the limit, but most rangers have remained active. Since 1994, about 120 rangers have been killed in the line of duty protecting the park from illegal poaching and land acquisition.

THE PROJECT
The aim of the project is to construct an orphan gorilla, rehabilitation and release sanctuary at the headquarters of Virunga National Park.

GENERAL INFORMATION
In order for the 8 orphaned gorillas to be moved from Rwanda to DRC there will need to be agreement between ORTPN and ICCN, the wildlife authorities of Rwanda and DRC respectively. In addition CITES approval will need to be obtained. The team in the DRC believe that political interest will ensure that all plans will be agreed.

Rwanda does not have lowland gorillas (hence the lowland orphans in Kinigi are Congolese) and the 2 mountain gorillas in Kinigi are considered Congolese (due to where they were seized), therefore the political leanings are such that they should be relocated to the proposed facility. A lack of security has been the primary reason for this not occurring sooner.

ICCN approval will be secured at the highest level and the most senior position in Virunga National Park will be held by Dr Emmanuel de Merode.

BENEFITS
The reason for this project is the physical and emotional welfare of the orphaned gorillas.

Due to previous security constraints, the 3 DRC gorilla orphans are currently living in the garden of a house in the town of Goma, each with permanent carers. These orphans are and always will be the responsibility of ICCN. The Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project (MGVP) oversees the health of the animals during regular visits by the DRC-based vets. The care for the gorillas - all of whom were seized or found in 2007 - is complex, but the Goma facility was always seen as a temporary measure due to security problems in the vicinity of the park. In fact, Goma was initially a good location because of the medical care the orphans needed, but now, according to ICCN and MGVP the living conditions are not good for the following reasons:

Goma is too low in altitude and is therefore not the natural habitat of mountain gorillas. Goma lies at circa 1,200m and mountain gorillas live at 1,800m upwards. The air is polluted and dusty. Noise levels from traffic and the city are excessive.
Access to forest food is challenging due to the distance and logistics. In short, gorillas simply need to be, act and live like gorillas as much as possible. The appropriate conditions must be provided and Rumangabo as a site offers the ideal solution due to habitat, proximity to forest food and security.

LOCAL SUPPORT
The DRC authorities and local population fully support the establishment of a sanctuary for the gorilla orphans. The sanctuary, with the use of modern zoo technologies, will also provide an unprecedented opportunity to educate the local population about mountain gorillas and their protection. The goal is to hire and train a Congolese persons (no s) to oversee the day-to-day running of the sanctuary to ensure to ensure ICCN and MGVP instructions (ie add ICCN) instructions are followed to protect the Gorillas in a controlled environment.

LONG TERM
Mountain gorillas are critically endangered. We must learn how to protect them and ensure their survival. The sanctuary will be a centre for gorilla health – enabling local and foreign vets to hone their skills to understand more how to care for this rare species. 

The release of the Gorilla’s will be governed by a committee who will make decisions in the best interests of the animals. It is important that the Orphaned Gorilla’s experience a life ‘as God intended’, although their security must be taken into consideration to avoid tragedies that have occurred in the past including reactionary killings by rival factions with the DRC.

Est budget $120,000 (£60,000)