For immediate release: BC advocacy group Elephanatics raises $4000 for families of killed Conservation Rangers in Garamba National Park in DRC Africa

January 21, 2016

Vancouver, BC – BC based elephant advocacy group, Elephanatics, has raised $4000 to go to the families of Rangers killed in the battle to save Africa’s remaining elephants in the Congo.

Rangers on the front lines of the elephant ivory war risk their lives daily to protect Africa’s rapidly dwindling elephant population. The horrors of the senseless slaughter of elephants for their tusks is magnified by the tragedy of rangers and conservationists losing their lives in what has become a war to save this critical keystone species from extinction.

In October 2015, a 10-person African Parks led ranger patrol team were engaged in a gun fight with poachers operating within Garamba Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo – one of the most beautiful parks in Africa and home to a rapidly dwindling number of elephants.

An African Parks helicopter was dispatched to rescue the team. Although 6 were rescued, 4 Rangers – Anselme Kimbesa Muhindo, Andre Gada Migifuloyo, Djuma Adalu Uweko, and Colonel Jacques Sukamate Lusengo – were shot by poachers and now leave behind their wives and 14 children.

The donation has been sent to Garamba National Park’s Ranger Fund, where it will go to support the families, school fees, and basic living allowances for the children of the deceased rangers.

Money was raised through the Global March for Elephants and Rhinos 2015 march and Christmas calendar campaign. Credit: Earl Hirtz @earlhirtzphotography.ca for calendar pictures.