Rare mountain gorillas killed by poachers in eastern Congo
Vancouver Sun, November 2, 2002

Rwandan authorities say poachers admitted killing two gorillas and led searchers to the remains

KIGALL, Rwanda – Poachers killed at least two rare mountain gorillas and snatched a young female in eastern Congo, Rwandan officials said Friday.

Authorities found two bodies Oct. 26 when poachers led them to the site, admitting they had killed the animals and taken the female, said Rwandan police spokesman Tony Kuramba. Later, two more dead gorillas were found, and authorities were trying to determine if all four deaths were linked.

Only about 650 of the animals are still alive, and the survival of some may be threatened by a civil war in Congo.

The area where the gorillas died is in the Virunga Mountains, a chain of extinct volcanoes that straddles the borders between Rwanda, Uganda and Congo.

The poachers were arrested early last month after three men were caught by police trying to sell the young female for $20,000 US, said Francois Bizimungu, an official at Rwanda’s national park authority.

Civil war in Congo has left rebels in control of the park. The rebels have not paid park rangers in years, making it easier for poachers, Bizimungu said.

The young gorilla, named Mvuyekure, was being held in quarantine while experts try to determine whether it is safe to take her back to the wild.

The fear Mvuyekure may have picked up human diseases, which could have devastating consequences if transmitted to gorillas in the wild.

Associated Press