The rise in sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific, known as El Niño, is often mistakenly linked to summer heat in Europe.
Three rangers have been killed for protecting elephants in the Congo
Garamba National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo, is one of the most important and ancient natural parks in Equatorial Africa. It is home to a huge variety of wildlife including elephants, lions, giraffes, hippos and white rhinos. More precisely, it is home to what’s left of these animals’ ancient populations, after decades of relentless poaching.
Garamba National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo, is one of the most important and ancient natural parks in Equatorial Africa. It is home to a huge variety of wildlife including elephants, lions, giraffes, hippos and white rhinos. More precisely, it is home to what’s left of these animals’ ancient populations, after decades of relentless poaching.
The park, founded in 1938 and World Heritage Site since 1980, continues being theatre of bloody conflicts between poachers and rangers trying to protect wildlife. On 24 April, three rangers have been killed and two injured during gunfire with poachers. All victims were part of African Parks, Dutch-Southern African non-governmental organisation that manages numerous natural parks in Africa.
According to the organisation, rangers Dimba Richard, Anigobe Bagare, and Matikuli Tsago were killed, while park director Erik Mararv and ranger Kenisa Adrobiago were injured and are now in a stable condition. Further details haven’t been released yet.
Garamba National Park extends for 13,000 square kilometres and is home to vast savannahs, meadows and forests. It was once home to elephants and other wild animals, but today wildlife and conservationists are constantly threatened. Last year alone, 5 park rangers and three members of the Congolese armed forces were killed by poachers.
Ivory trade is strictly linked to terrorism. Over the past decade, militants of the infamous terroristic group Lord’s Resistance Army have been operating in the park, as well as all over Central Africa, threatening rangers.
“We are devastated by this latest loss,” said CEO of African Parks Peter Fearnhead. “Rangers put their lives on the line each and every day, and are under real siege in Garamba protecting elephants from heavily incentivised and militarized poaching gangs”. The families of the victims will be indemnified, for an amount six times their salary plus donations.
Despite China and the United States are committed to gradually eliminating ivory imports at an international level, poaching levels remain high, killing over 35,000 African elephants every year and threatening their survival in Africa.
Siamo anche su WhatsApp. Segui il canale ufficiale LifeGate per restare aggiornata, aggiornato sulle ultime notizie e sulle nostre attività.
Quest'opera è distribuita con Licenza Creative Commons Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Non opere derivate 4.0 Internazionale.
A new report by Dam Removal Europe confirms an 11 per cent increase in the removal of dams and river barriers — a trend that is also spreading beyond Europe.
An innovative Spanish study has found a link between the pesticide picloram and the onset of colorectal cancer among people under 50.
Italy’s new law on the enhancement of marine resources includes a general provision to protect a unique ecosystem, but for now it lacks concrete enforcement tools.
The latest State of the Climate in Europe report paints an alarming picture: the climate crisis is hitting the continent harder than the rest of the world.
In many regions of the world, drought is causing mass displacement, wildfire risk and growing concerns over water supplies.
Santa Marta climate summit kicks off: the “coalition of the willing” responds to COP deadlock — but without the US and China, it’s an uphill battle
A report by the think tank Ember highlights the true boom of renewable energy in the 74 countries of the Climate Vulnerable Forum.
A study shows that by 2050, the increase in heatwave-related deaths will be significantly higher in the world’s poorest countries.