Aria Collins
Professor Corewyn
Biological Anthropology: Reaction Paper to Films – Virunga, Assignment 3
April 15th 2016 Virunga, is a documentary film that focuses on a brave team of rangers who risked their lives to protect the last mountain gorillas. In eastern Congo, The Virunga National Park is home to these gorillas. The film begins with the history of Congo. In 1885 millions of citizens where killed. A statement that stood out to me was “a black man is like an animal to me”. In 1994 the civil war broke out where the rebel group was able to profit from minerals. In 2003 a peace agreement was signed and in 2006 they had their first democratic election. In 2010, oil was discovered and by 2012 instability returned back for the Congo people. The filmed featured the rangers fighting for the Virunga National park because Soco International began exploring for oil. What is interesting about this film is that the Congo government welcomed Soco International singing chants and praises as they arrive. Other residents, also supported Soco International because they were bribed with money. On the other hand, these fellow rangers devoted their life to the national park. It was apart of their culture and who they were and what they strongly believed in. My personal favorite part of the film was the gorilla orphanage that had 4 most adorable gorillas. There names were Maisha, Kaboko, Nedsa, Khaski. Each gorilla had their unique characteristics. For example, Kaboko was described as very aggressive but had a great affection to others. Sadly, Kaboko died due to stress when the breakout with SOCO International riot occurred. This film was very heartbreaking but yet intriguing and inspirational. Additionally, as a television-radio student, I can’t help but notice the dedication and risk that crew made just to share this story to the world.
Personally, I wouldn’t of watch The Virunga film on my own. However, I truly appreciate being exposed to this film. It allowed me to be aware of what’s going on other parts of the world. I learned how much these rangers devote their life for the conversation of their park and how important these mountain gorillas are to them. The comment that Ranger Andre Bauma made was very touching, “I’m not a father, but I’m a mother” he took care of the gorilla orphans as though they were his children. He mentioned as they grow how much more intelligent and stronger they get and I couldn’t help but notice it in the film. Their level of intelligence was astonishing. I was very upset with Soco International. Even after these rangers discussed to them that this oil exploration was illegal they still moved along with the process. In my opinion, they viewed Congo citizens as though they were animals which was heart breaking. In the 21st century it’s sad to see situations like these still occur. I also want to point out the brave young journalist Melanie Gouby. She used hidden cameras and stayed in Congo during this crisis just to cover the news. She is truly passionate and dedicated in her career field. Filming someone with a hidden camera was a chance that she took and being out there during the riot, was an even bigger chance. Overall, this filmed made me view national parks and animal conservation differently.

Part 2 – Response to Questions 1. The Interview – Emmanuel de Merode: a. Emmanuel de Merode’s is an anthropologist, conversationalist, and pilot who is working to protect endangered wildlife and the bush meat in Central and East Africa. As the Director he works for the Congolese government wildlife authority, ICCN. All the ICCN personnel in Virunga will reports to him although he depends on the sector warden that over see ranger teams. He also presides over two NGOs, which are dedicated to supporting the park and its rangers. b. Merode stated that the biggest threat to wildlife is extreme poverty, armed conflict, and extraction of natural resources. It is hard to protect the wildlife from poaching, the bush meat trade, and illegal animal trafficking’s. The extraction of natural resources also destroys the wildlife habitat.

2. Virunga Website: a. The mountain gorillas reside in Virunga’s southern sector. They live on “the flanks on the dormant Mikeno volcano (4380m/14,557 ft)” covered in dense forests. This is also an ideal habitat for numerous species of monkeys (eg. Chimpanzees). The nothern sector is the “Rwenzori Mountains that border Uganda. At over 5000 meters (16,400 ft), the summits of the Rwenzoris are permanently snow-capped”. Okapis are found here. “Lake Edward, the Ishasha river valley, and the Rwindi plains are the dominant geographical features that define the park’s central sector”. This sector is home to various species of fish and birds.
“The lake and the adjacent Ishasha river valley are home to the park’s recovering hippo population” is home to the buffalo, elephant, warthogs, and topi. The mountain gorillas and okapi (resembles a zebra, but closely related to the giraffe) are both endangered species in these sectors. b. Previously, Emmanuel de Merode worked primarily in the parks of eastern DRC. He worked to sustain the national parks through the DRC’s 15-year civil war and in 2008 was appointed by the Congolese government as director of Virunga national parks. c. The Gorilla Orphans at the Senkwekwe Mountain Gorilla center was one of the projects I looked at and was also featured in the Virunga film. This is the only facility in the world that cares for mountain gorilla orphans. Each gorilla has been victimized by animal traffickers or poachers who witnessed their family members being murdered. The financial support of individuals around the world has allowed this orphanage to continue to be up and running. d. The Virunga alliance goal is “to foster peace and and prosperity through the responsible economic development of natural resources for four million people who live within a day’s walk of the park’s borders”. Their long-term objectives is to work on a three-phase approach and identify four main sectors. These sectors are Tourism, Agro-Industry, Sustainable Fisheries, and Infrastructure. e. Under the get involved section, The current campaign talks about completing Virunga’s 54- Kilimeter electric wildlife fence project. This project goal is to prevent conflicts with the dangerous animal conflict with local villages. The National Park is seeking help to finish constructing the fence. f. $8 – A pair of new boots for a ranger
$50 – One month if support for the widow and children of a Fallen Ranger
$150 – Two weeks of food and supplements for an orphan gorilla

3. Driller in the midst:
a. Global witness is calling on Soco International to launch an investigation and commit not to explore within the current boundaries of Virunga. Soco isn’t allowed to commit to any oil activity within the current boundaries of Virunga. The UK and US anti-corruption authorities will examine any evidence of bribery and determine whether the act was legal or not.
b. Soco “denies that their operations in the park are illegal and states that is committed to abiding by international and national law”. This planned activity is classified as “scientific stuff”. Soco headquarters stated “it opposes oil exploration within Virunga National Park” and has urged “the Government of DR Congo to fully respect the international convention to which is it a signatory”.

4. Currently, the DRC government wants to open up the Virunga National Park for oil exploration. They will engage in negotiations with the UN body to “explore judiciously" In order to allow drilling for oil wells legally, the government will have to declassify parts of the park. They will also investigate allegations brought by the documentary Virunga, as well as Global Witness and Human Rights watch.

5. Under the “What Can you do” section the producers recommend 5 things. These are 1) spread the word about the park and the film. 2) sign up with your email address to the virungamovie website. 3) donate to The Virunga National Park. 4) Check your investments to see if it has been invested into SOCO International. 5) Last but not least, visit Virunga as a tourist you can support the Virunga Alliance.