Anti-Poaching Ranger Who Went Viral For “Gorilla Selfies” Ambushed And Killed By Rwandan Rebels
The anti-poaching ranger that went viral on social media last year for posting a selfie that showed him standing with a pair of gorillas, was killed by Rwandan Rebels yesterday during an ambush.
Mathieu Shamavu, the anti-poaching ranger, hit the headlines in April 2019, with his candid snap along 2 huge gorillas that he and his fellow conservationists were protecting.
The image was captured on Virunga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Also Read: 2 Gorillas Pose For A Selfie With 2 Anti-Poaching Rangers At The Virunga National Park
Talking about the incident, he said:
We are united, and we will always be strong even during the moment. We hope for tomorrow.
The statement comes after a spokesperson for the Virunga National Park, which is located in the east of the DRC, said that the rangers were murdered.
1/2 Virunga would like to extend our sincerest gratitude for the outpouring of love & positivity you have shown to us during this heart-wrenching time. We, along with the families of the rangers & the community, are humbled & encouraged by your messages of sympathy & support.
— Virunga NationalPark (@gorillacd) April 25, 2020
The rangers were from the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature.
According to reports, 1 civilian was murdered in the ordeal.
In a statement that was released by the Virunga National Park, they said:
It is with great sadness that the Congolese Institute of the Conservation of Nature confirmed the identities of the Virunga Park Rangers and employees who tragically lost their lives after an attack on Friday. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims, as well as with the animals whom they protected.
Here is the list of people that killed in the incident:
- Abedi Iyalu Khadafi (Ranger)
- Anuari Bihara Lumumba (Ranger)
- Badi Mukandama Djamali (Ranger)
- Fazili Justin Junior (Ranger)
- Kambale Mutsomani Jean-Louis (Ranger)
- Kambale Teremuka Jules (Ranger)
- Kasole Janvier Joseph (Ranger)
- Masumbuko Malekani Ruphin (Ranger)
- Mugisho Lukondwa Augustin (Ranger)
- Muhindo Isevihango Jeannot (Ranger)
- Muhindo Katembo Jacques (Ranger)
- Ndagijimana Ndahobari Heritier (Ranger)
- Paluku Kalondero Moise (Ranger)
The statement added:
Initial investigations indicate that the rangers were on their way back to their headwarters when they encountered a civilian vehicle that had been attacked and subsequently came under a ferociously violent and sustained ambush. We can confirm that the perpetrators of this attack were the armed group ‘FDLR-FOCA’. Our thoughts and prayers are tonight with the families and friends of all the victims, including the innocent civilians, as well as the injured rangers.
The 13 men have been buried.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the deceased.