Gorillas, guns and oil
Rangers are putting their lives on the line to protect Africa's largest wildlife park
Business Daily · BBC World Service
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Show Notes
Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is Africa’s oldest and largest wildlife park. Since 1925, it’s been home to some of the last mountain gorillas on earth. But it’s also home to armed militia groups and an ongoing battle for natural resources. The park’s rangers regularly put their lives on the line protecting the precious wildlife and the Congolese communities who live within the park’s boundaries. Two weeks ago, six rangers were killed. Emmanuel De Merode, the park’s director – who also happens to be a Belgian prince – tells us his extraordinary story. Despite huge challenges he remains optimistic that renewable energy and job creation can help steer the region’s next generation of Congolese away from a cycle of violence that has caused so much damage.
(Photo: A mountain gorilla in Virunga National Park. Credit: Thierry Falise for Getty)
Presenter: Vivienne Nunis Producer: Sarah Treanor