Mar 06 2008
Emmanuel in Denver for gorilla fund raiser
We’ve been preoccupied with the situation in the Masai Mara for a while but don’t for a second imagine we’ve forgotten the crisis facing gorillas. Today the situation in the Virunga National Park is worse than it has ever been, the rangers have not seen the gorillas for over six months. Last year I visited the Kabirizi family with Emmanuel, Diddy and Innocent.
Once you’ve looked a wild gorilla in the you are transformed forever.
It is almost unimaginable that the rangers have been unable to monitor this family for half a year due to the rebel activity and dangers. I was fortunate to spend three days in the area and visited the gorillas twice. Diddy and Innocent as well as Augustin gave me the most interesting guided tour of the park imaginable - I learned about what gorillas eat and where they sleep, how they move and communicate. But the most awe inspiring moment was when I realised that it was in fact me that was the subject of study.
Diddy was happy and relaxed at that time. We had long conversations about his life as a ranger in the Bukima camp. The camp was later dismantled to protect the equipment from encroaching rebels.
At the end of a seven hour trek up and then down mount Mikeno we had much to smile about despite the exhaustion.
Sadly, less than a month later all hell broke loose and things have not been the same since.
Emmanuel was there when the Rugendo family was attacked, he was amongst the first people to find the site of the massacre of seven individuals.
Today Emmanuel is in the USA raising funds and talking about the situation which is quite dire. We are hoping to raise funds for the re-establishment of the Bukima camp immediately it is safe enough to do so. This will ensure that the rangers have a forward operating base to patrol and do the gorilla monitoring from.
For those of you in Denver Colorado, Emmanuel de Merode will be speaking about the situation facing mountain gorillas from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Canyon Theater in the Boulder Public Library, an event sponsored by the Highlands City Club. On Thursday, he will speak at the Colorado History Museum from 7 to 9 p.m. If you can’t make it to the talk but want to make a donation, you can do so on the gorilla protection blog
You will find more information on this fund raising event in the Denver post
12 responses so far
Paula, Emmanuel hinted he was in the states. This is very encouraging news about refitting the Bukima Camp, truly the best news to come along in quite a while. If we donate at Gorilla Protection blog (specify in our comments)can our donations go towards this camp? Priceless pictures! Thanks again, doing double duty…
Boy, I would do anything to be in Denver this week! Paula this is a great post…the picture of you with the giant behind you is just spectacular…envy does not even begin to describe the feeling I have looking at that. And, oh, the picture of Diddy smiling like that…breaks my heart that you all have not been able to see the gorillas in more than six months. I do hope Diddy and Innocent are well these days…their families too.
Thank you Paula for the information. I hope Emmanuel can bring back some good news. For everyone interested in the elephant´s problem in South Africa, please read my today´s comment in the “Conserve Virunga” blog entitled ´From patrol to Action´. We must rear awareness on this issue. Thank you.
Paula, thanks for this post. I love the picture of you with the gorilla behind you. I bet it felt amazing to be so close to such an incredible creature. Yes, I would give anything to be in Denver myself. How does one arrange for Emmanuel to come do a speaking engagement on behalf of raising money for this cause? Does he have anything scheduled in Los Angeles while he is in the States? The situation is very disappointing and I hope that Diddy, Innocent and the other Rangers are hanging in there as best they can through this. I continue to pray that this situation will be resolved soon. Lisa
Lisa, do you believe in telepathy? I was wondering the samething! Except I was thing N.Y.C. I’d fly him out to New York in a hearbeat and put him up in a hotel, if someone could arrange a speaking engagement for him. Totally serious about this offer.
God blesses Emannuel in him travel, whose destiny is, after all, the defense of this sacred cause: our beloved gorillas’ protection. Thanks.
Sorry … his travel…
Thank you all for your deep concern. After coming back from a month in Congo he was positively heartbroken at the situation and how it has affected our colleagues in the ICCN who risk their lives for gorillas. We have heard that road to Bukima has been mined by the rebels, rangers have been threatened with execution if they dare return to the gorilla sector. Nkunda is in a stronger position than ever and global diplomatic efforts are now aiming at addressing this situation. Emmanuel has been planning his USA trip for some time - based on requests that came through six months ago. And yes he will be in NYC and an event in NYC would be awesome…if you have specific ideas in mind please don’t hesitate to drop us a line. It would be good if Emmanuel and I could meet some of you in NYC we can tell you how the Denver event was organized. Knowing our schedules are usually quite tight - but I will also be in the US for a month - specifically in NYC and DC and available from the 19th March - 30th. I’ll also be in Wisconsin from 30th - 10th April. My purpose is to attend some functions and look into fund raising opportunities for projects and to develop WildlifeDirect’s impact especially in Congo. If you have ideas or contacts please drop me an email paula@wildlifedirect.org
You’re going to be in DC? I believe Christine C. and I would love to meet you and talk about fundraising. Let us know where you’ll be and when you can squeeze us into your schedule. My e-mail addy is nothoney@gmail.com.
Great pics, too. I remember those days before the Rugendo family murders. Christine and I were wondering last night what’s become of Paulin. Do you hear from him?
s.
I won’t be able to make it to NYC or DC, but I would love to participate if you are ever in the Los Angeles or San Francisco area (I will drive all day if I have to.) I’ll keep my thinking cap on. There is a church here in the Pasadena area called All Saints. In the past, I’ve heard, that they’ve had wonderful guest speakers, such as Jane Goodall and Desmond Tutu. I’m not such an active member, but my sister in law is and that could be a possible option maybe for a speaking engagment in the Los Angeles area. Lisa
Lisa, that is a wonderful idea. Is it possible for you or your sister in law to approach this Parrish? With Paula’s schedule in Wisconsin, maybe there is a free day for her to fly out there. I would pay for round trip ticket, so she can return to her events in Wisconsin. Lisa, when you can, please email me @ siskind8@msn.com.
Dear Theresa, Sheryl, thanks for your wonderful thoughts. I will infact be in NY and Washington next week. Would be nice to meet up. Drop me a line at edemerode@wildlifedirect.org. Lisa, we are planning a series of events around the country in September, I’d be very interested to discuss your ideas.