Elie Mundima

Category: Out on Patrol | Date: Apr 05 2007 | By: admin

When we make our way through the jungle we walk along in a line, side-by-side, with a distance between each man so that we can cover a larger area more easily. Occasionally, due to the terrain or if something is found, we group together, but then afterwards we’ll spread out again.

Above, Troop 1 found this pile of wood put together in a stock pile for later retrieval. Although at this stage they were unable to find a culprit, they cut the wood into smaller pieces with machetes, and then scattered the chippings so that they could not be used or sold.

They also found this shelter put together by poachers who stay here when in the forest. It was well used and so was destroyed by being set alight. When they next come back to the area they will not only be discouraged to stay because of the lack of shelter from the heavy rainfall here, but also aware that we are in the area and will not tolerate poaching within the park’s limits.

Many more shelters were found in the area, and they were all destroyed.

They also found this camp, which until very recently was known to be used by Ugandan rebels, the NALU.

The NALU (National Army for the Liberation of Uganda) have been in Eastern Congo for many years now and although officially their last stronghold here was at the end of 2005, they still cause many problems for us here in the park, as well as the surrounding area.

Technorati : Congo, Patrol, Poaching, Virunga, WildlifeDirect