World

13 Congolese rangers caring for gorillas which posed for selfie killed by rebels

Wednesday, May 06, 2020 at 2:44 PM by Tunde Ososanya Khadijah Thabit

- Thirteen Congolese officers were ambushed by Rwandan rebel soldiers living in the DRC forest

- The slain rangers were returning to the national park headquarters when attackers waylaid them

- One of four survivors remained in very critical condition even as doctors continued to monitor him at a local health facility

A group of 13 rangers based in Vuruga National Park under elite anti-poaching and combat trackers unit have been killed in the Democratic Democratic of Congo.

The officers aged between 23 and 40 years old, were ambushed by rebel soldiers on their way to the park headquarters whereupon they encountered a civilian vehicle that had been attacked.

Funeral service for the slain officers was conducted on April 27. The motive behind the military ambush remained unclear. Photo: The Elite AntiPoaching Units And Combat Trackers.
Source: Facebook

According to the management, the attackers who were members of a group of armed Rwandan militants known as FDLR-FOCA, turned guns on the officers.

The militia men live in the Congo forest.

"Today, 12 brave rangers and a civilian driver were killed when their convoy was ambushed in Rumangabo at Virunga National Park, as we learned from multiple direct communications. The attackers belong to the FDLR, a group of armed Rwandan militants living in the area. Another vehicle missed the ambush by five minutes," the anti-poaching unit said.

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During the military ambush, 13 died on the spot while four colleagues sustained injuries.

The authorities said one ranger remained in very critical condition even as doctors continued to monitor him at a local health facility.

The motive for the attack was not immediately established even though the forest is home to several militia groups.

The national park was created in 1925 and is among the first protected areas in Africa with over 600 rangers.

Inside this magnificent eye-catching watershed, are the mountain gorillas which are listed as endangered.

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In 2019, two gorillas named Ndakasi and Ndeze struck an amazing woman-like pose with rangers capturing the incredible human side of the gigantic apes.

One stepped about a metre away from the ranger keen to pose for the camera while the other crouched right behind for a memorable selfie moment.