Congo Group Rebuilds after Massacre of Endangered Species

Prominent Conservation Group Struggles to Rebuild Reserve after Massacre of Endangered Species

July 16, 2012: The Okapi Conservation Project (OCP) in Epulu, also the headquarters for the Institute in the Congo for Conservation of Nature (ICCN), was attacked on June 24 by Mai Mai militia rebels. Six people and all of the endangered Okapi were slaughtered during the raid. This was one of the worst attacks in its 25-year history, and leaves the conservation project teetering for its survival.

John Lukas (OCP) said it had taken 48 hours for the Congolese Army and Monusco (UN) troops to re-take control of the area around the town of Epulu.

Currently, the UN forces have withdrawn and a small group of Congolese army troops are based at (ICCN) headquarters. Most of the people from town that were taken as hostages to transport stolen goods have been released and made it back to Epulu.

The funds donated by so many concerned supporters of (OCP) and (WCN) has arrived in Beni DRC and is being used to pay for medical care at the Mambassa hospital and provide food, medicine, transport and shelter to displaced families. Money is being distributed by (OCP) to allow (ICCN) and (OCP) staff and their families to repair their homes and buy cooking supplies and furniture. An inventory of remaining medical supplies at the Dispensary is now underway as well as a determination of what can be salvaged and what needs to be replaced or rebuilt at the ICCN headquarters.

Okapis were known to the ancient Egyptians, but were first seen by Westerners in the 20th century. There are only an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 in the wild.

"There are no words to describe the loss of the okapi at the station, some of which have been in residence for over 23 years and all made it through seven years of civil war unscathed," said John Lukas of the (OCP).

"They were ambassadors for all wildlife in the forest and had been helping educate visitors to the station of the marvels of the diversity of life in the rainforest for over 25 years."

ENDS

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