Baby Gorilla Poaching Attempt Thwarted

An infant mountain gorilla was rescued from poachers in Rwanda in August 2011 with help from a partnership made up of WWF, African Wildlife Foundation and Fauna & Flora International. A group of Rwandan and Congolese men were attempting to smuggle the female, less than one-year old, into Rwanda from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The smugglers responsible were arrested and an investigation into a possible larger network is underway. The rescue is positive news, but it also brings light to the issues of illegal poaching and wildlife trade.

Heightened actions to stop wildlife trade

In response to this incident, efforts will be made to strengthen wildlife protection in the DRC’s Virunga National Park as well as the surrounding region. Authorities will increase anti-poaching measures and with support from WWF and partners, will continue to collaborate with the local community to keep illegal trade from carrying on as a profitable practice.

Learn more about what WWF is doing to fight illegal wildlife trade