Mastaki loses his fight for life
February 4, 2011 at 6:40 am 2 comments
The ranger, Mastaki, who was critically wounded in another militia attack, died in the early hours of 3rd February. He had been flown to Goma to the Heal Africa hospital whre they tried in vain to save him from his terrible injuries.
Mastaki looked after the National Park office in Goma that G4G trustees have visited on several occasions. Emmanuel had taught him to drive, as he wanted to be more involved in patrols around the Park. Emmanuel says he was a gentle, soft spoken, dedicated man who wanted to play his part protecting the wildlife of Virunga. This has ultimately cost him his life. He leaves a widow and 4 month old baby.
Entry filed under: Rangers, Virunga NP. Tags: .
1.
Elaine Fairfax | March 28, 2011 at 8:54 am
Hi Linda, we have moved to new offices at Solstice Park, Amesbury and have an open day starting at 12 noon on 12th April. I hope you can come along? I am horrifed to see that so many rangers are killed or wounded. Is there anything we can do to help them? Kind regards Elaine Fairfax, Animal Friends
2.
sixpennystar | March 30, 2011 at 6:01 am
Hi Elaine – good to hear from you. Unfortunately there is little of practical use we can do from here to help stop these tragic losses of life. Virunga National Park has asked for help from the UN forces present in eastern DRC. However, the Virunga web site – http://www.gorilla.cd – has a donation area where the rangers widows can receive financial support. Once the breadwinner has gone in DRC there is no state funded support at all and the widow is left to fend for herself and the children. Virunga National Park has a fund that enables it to directly support the ranger widows, especially in the direct aftermath of the rangers death and for as long as it can provide help. This assistance is funded by donations to their web site. Many thanks for your concern Elaine.
Linda, G4G