Today's update:

This is Samantha. I have just spoken to Innocent and Director Mushenzi. There is no change in the security situation in the Gorilla Sector. Innocent cannot hear any more gunfire at the moment from Rumangabo, but the rebels retain control of the sector and the army has not made any advances. Stalemate…

We shall wait and see what happens today. It could all stagnate, or it could all kick off.

Thank you for all your comments. Keep up the lobbying. That is a very very valuable action right now. We need awareness and pressure.

Donations of course are still needed. They will be used by ICCN when all this is over. As has been said before, there is a project to effectively “build” the last 13km of road up to Bukima. This will help the local communities with access, provide work to the local communities (both in initial building and maintenance), and vastly improve access to the Mountain Gorilla Sector. This way ICCN hopes that if the country is more stable, international tourism will come. Virunga National Park and gorilla-watching tourism in a regulated environment have the potential to be a principal pillar of tourism and revenue for eastern DR Congo. Neighboring Uganda and Rwanda earn millions from gorilla-watching tourism - from the actual activity and the spin-offs. And it is an excellent way to protect these critically endangered animals. Do we hear of gorilla massacres in Uganda and Rwanda? No is the short answer, because they are valuable to the economy. Anyway, the road will cost about $70,000. Just before all this started I went up and down it a few times with the engineer doing an evaluation (I was the secretary). And then the fighting started so it is on hold.

And of course there are all the other projects: rations, salary supplements, medical kits, uniforms, infrastructure (toilets, water, schools)… there is everything to be done. Again, toilets and water were all ready to go at Bukima, and then the rebels took over. Medical supplies have been given and will continue to be given to Rumangabo - for the Rangers and their families. There is a lot going on and a lot being planned. Thank you very much to all of you who make this possible for the Gorilla Sector and the Rangers.