Countryside Management Association News

IRF representative Jobogo Mirindi from the DRC has sent this sad note about the killing of another ranger in Virunga NP:

"We are deeply sorry to inform you of the tragic death of our ranger colleague John Bosco Kanyangara Muhima. He was part of a patrol launched on the morning of Friday, August 14th, to save the remaining hippos in Virunga NP. The team met a group of heavily armed poachers and after two hours’ exchange of fire, John Bosco's gun ran out of bullets. One of the poachers who was undercover opened fire in the ranger's direction and John Bosco received a shot in the lungs. The ranger team transported him to the nearest point for evacuation, close to Lake Edouard, where a speedboat was sent to rescue him. Unfortunately he died before he could be transferred to a hospital. His funeral was held on the edge of the Rutshuru River at a very beautiful place called Mai ya Moto. It overlooks the Rwindi plains which is an area that he spent his life protecting. Kanyangara was buried with honors as a conservation hero, in the company of all fellow rangers and Emmanuel, the park's new director. He was the father of six and his widow has still not recovered from the shock following the burial of her partner.”