Oil exploration by an English company only added to threats facing the already beleaguered park. The great volcanoes of this range, clothed in cloud forests, include the dormant Mikeno, Karisimbi, Visoke, and Sabinio (Sabinyo), as well as the active Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira. Described by the Virunga park authorities as the Congos real treasure (rather than oil or metals), there are believed to be over 300 of these precious primates within the park. To mark Congolese independence from colonialism, Parc Albert is renamed Virunga National Park. The endangered Rwenzori duiker or Rwenzori red duiker is a stocky, small antelope endemic to the alpine zones of the Rwenzori mountains. The northern sector receives a monthly mean precipitation of up to 220mm (8.7in), and the southern sector of up to 160mm (6.3in). Situated in the center of the Albertine Rift, between Uganda and Rwanda, Virungas 7,800 square kilometers (3,000 square miles) stretches from the Virunga Massif in the south, to the Rwenzori Mountains in the north. [49] All of the topi (Damaliscus lunatus jimela) cluster to the south of Lake Edward in the Ishasha Flats region, and regularly cross the border into Uganda. Baumas love for his primate family endeared him to the audiences of the Oscar-nominated film, Mountain gorillas aside, Virungas great ape collection also includes, While the apes may be the stars, the supporting cast of around 19 smaller primate species is deserving of a special mention. In 2007, the mass killing of the Rugendo family of gorillas catapulted the parks plight onto the world stage, and the global attention spurned increased funding and conservation measures. Virunga Mountains: The stunning Virunga Mountains are a chain of Volcano Mountains shared between Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. [54] Though valiant efforts were made to protect the park, the end of the 20th century saw much of the parks wildlife massacred almost to the point of extinction. Habituation is a critical component of gorilla conservation, as it allows for detailed research to be undertaken on the species. Hiking the Sabyinyo volcano takes approximately 7 to 9 hours. Hippo numbers increase to over 2000 for the first time in 20 years. [48], The montane forest between 1,800 and 2,800m (5,900 and 9,200ft) in the southern sector is dominated by Ficalhoa laurifolia and Podocarpus milanjianus with up to 25m (82ft) high trees. [2] Latter controlled the Mikeno sector of Virunga National Park between December 2006 and January 2009. [7], After the Second Congo War was over, confrontations between park personnel and rebel groups continued; 80 park staff were killed between 1996 and 2003. The Virunga Mountains (also known as Mufumbiro [1]) are a chain of volcanoes in East Africa, along the northern border of Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Uganda. The 8 Virunga Volcano Mountains: The Virunga is a chain of Volcanic Mountains in East Africa that's shared between Uganda, Rwanda and DRC. Virunga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Virunga is the continent's most biologically diverse protected area and a national park embarking on an ambitious development programme known as the "Virunga Alliance". Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. To find lodges, search for our ready-made packages or get in touch with our travel team, scroll down to after this story. Together with Queen Elizabeth National Park, Virunga is considered by the IUCN to be a Lion Conservation Unit. It reopened in February 2019. national park, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Naturally, the park authorities are aware of this, and they take the safety of their guests extremely seriously. (800,000 hectares) an area roughly three times the size of Luxembourg. The okapi is the closest known relative to the giraffe and looks very much as though someone crossed a zebra, antelope, and giraffe. [46] Around one third of the world population of critically endangered mountain gorillas live in the lush volcanic forests of Virunga National Park. The range runs east-west, perpendicular to the rift valley in which lie Lakes Kivu and Edward. Established 1991, BEST SAFARI PRICES Massive pods of hippo lurk around the shallows of Lake Edward and wallow in the various rivers, and bongo antelope have been spotted in the parks northern reaches. La Fondation Virunga Belgique was incorporated in 2015 to support Virunga National Park through fundraising and public outreach. These local men and women go through intensive training, risking their lives on a daily basis to safeguard the Parks exceptional wildlife, including the last of the worlds endangered mountain gorillas. ceo@africageographic.com, Travel & conservation company, since 1991,
, The oldest national park in Africa, Virunga National Park covers nearly 8,000km. [50], The Semliki River provides habitat for Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus). Lake Rutenzige is fed by several large rivers, the Rutshuru River being one, and drains to the north through the Semliki River into Lake Albert. Two major African rivers, the Nile and the. He even attended the Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles. The human population there, which was negligible when the park was established, increased considerably during the late 20th century. Each offers a different view of the lush vegetation and exquisite vistas. It is an extraordinary park steeped in a history of tragedy and heroism: primordial and viscerally wild. The name "Virunga" is an English version of the Kinyarwanda word ibirunga, which means "volcanoes". Because of the high silica content of its lava, Nyiragongos lava flows are extremely fluid. At 26,338 square kilometres (10,169 sq mi), Rwanda is the world's 149th-largest country. The word Virunga is got from a local word "Ibirunga* the Kinyarwanda word for "mountains". [4] Adult African fish eagles have mostly brown bodies with a white head and yellow face and large, powerful, black wings. At a height of 16,761 feet (5,109 meters), the Rwenzori mountains feature the largest glaciers left on the African continent making this area, populated by glaciers-fed rivers, waterfalls and lakes, one of Africas most beautiful alpine landscapes. This sight is at its most impressive at night, so most opt to camp on the rim of the crater. Up to 40,000 people entered the park daily in search of firewood and food, and deforested huge areas. Its initial size of 2,920.98km2 (1,127.80sqmi) was enlarged step by step in subsequent years. The rapid population surge causes environmental damage, and Virungas Rangers struggle to protect the forests. [27][28][29][30], By 2016, four hydropower dams were constructed that provide electricity to small businesses and benefit more than 200,000 rural people. We rely on Global Rescue to assist our clients. This picturesque part of the park adjoins the Rwenzori Mountains and Semuliki National Parks in neighbouring Uganda. This variation is determined by a number of factors such as the soil type, soil depth, animals and invertebrates in the area, and minerals within the soil. This articles lists and explains more about the . A narrow corridor of 35km (1.93.1mi) width along the lake's western bank connects the northern and southern sectors of the national park. Okapis are shy and solitary animals that resemble zebras but are more closely related to the giraffe and are endemic to the DRC. Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}012545S 293254E / 1.42917S 29.54833E / -1.42917; 29.54833. The word Virunga is and English word derived from Kinyarwanda word "Ibirunga" to meat "Mountains" Every morning, rangers set out at the crack of dawn to track down and monitor their charges, and by the time guests have stirred and downed their first coffee, many families have already been located. Seven mountain gorillas from the Rugendo family are murdered. The ICCN (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature). The Virunga Mountains (Virunga massif/Virunga ranges) is a block of Chain Mountains found in East - central Africa. The name Virunga comes from the Kinyarwanda word ibirunga, which means volcanoes. Okapis are endangered, and there are probably only a few thousand remaining. Virunga staff are caught in the fighting, but maintain their presence and eventually negotiate Park access to protect the mountain gorillas. The latter organisation is responsible for park management since 2010; about 80% of management costs are subsidised by the EC. Hippos, which can weigh up to 4,400 pounds (almost 2,000 kilograms), make their home in many different rivers, lakes, and pools throughout Virunga. Mean monthly rainfall in the savanna around Lake Edward is 3040mm (1.21.6in); this is the driest part of the landscape. [19], In 1934, the Institut des Parcs Nationaux du Congo Belge was founded as the governing body for national parks in the Belgian Congo. Campaigners trying to create public awareness are threatened and intimidated on social media. There are four recognised subspecies of the African buffalo in Africa and two of these the Cape and forest are found in Virunga. Virunga owes its existence, at least in part, to the presence of the endangered (once critically endangered) mountain gorillas. The Virunga Mountains are all volcanic mountains but most of them are dormant. The 2008 partnership between the Congolese National Parks Authority (ICCN) and the Virunga Foundation marked a turning point in the parks history. 2003). It was created in 1925. The M23 Rebellion erupts in and around the Park. One of Africas most spectacular protected areas. Both the highest and lowest recorded rainfalls in the republic occur within the parks boundaries: while annual rainfall at Lake Edward is some 20 inches (500 mm), the west slope of Mount Ruwenzori, less than 47 miles (75 km) away, receives more than 118 inches (3,000 mm). [39], In April 2020 at least 12 park rangers were killed by militia men attacking a civilian convoy. Some biologists even believe that a fifth subspecies, called the mountain or Virunga buffalo, should be recognised. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Tullow Oil Plc, TotalEnergies, ENI and China National Offshore Oil Corporation Ltd (CNOOC) were interested in acquiring drilling permissions. Dch trong bi cnh "VN QUC GIA CONGO" trong ting vit-ting anh. Located in East Africa, the Virunga Mountains are a series of volcanoes that extends along northern part of Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Uganda. Flora/Vegatation in Virunga national park; Virunga's strategic location at the frontier between various biogeographic zones offers it an upper hand to protect both tropical rainforest and eastern steppe species and its range of altitudes adds to the habitat variety.The diversity in flora includes: bamboo and Hagenia forest on the mountains; equatorial forest along the Semiliki; wooded . March to mid May and September to November are the main rainy seasons. [61][62] Ndakasi, a gorilla from the park, was featured in a few television series and movies, including the Netflix documentary.[63]. As is inevitable, this tableau of human suffering has spilt over into the conservation of the countrys natural resources, and Virunga has found itself in the middle of countless conflicts. Mountain gorillas (, ) are a subspecies of the critically endangered eastern gorilla, and there are believed to be just over 1,000 remaining. Tourism remains a cornerstone of the parks conservation efforts, and to that end, all of the lodges within the park are non-profit, with all proceeds fed back into keeping the park protected. The mountain gorillas have increased from fewer than 70 to over 300 in ten years and hippos from 300 to over 2,000, while elephant and lion sightings are now a fairly regular occurrence. Still, military and rebel forces remain in eastern Congo and continue fighting as well as poaching and cutting down trees. Virunga Mountains in Congo were formed as a result of volcanic activity from the past. The First and Second Congo Wars further destabilised the region. It was the first national park to be established on the continent of Africa, primarily to protect the mountain gorillas living in the forests of the Virunga Massif. Naturally, the park authorities are aware of this, and they take the safety of their guests extremely seriously. Much of the parks central region is occupied by Lake Edward. Only 629 hippos remain in the Park, a 98% decrease from the 30,000 of the 1960s and 1970s. Approximately one-third of the worlds population is found in Virunga National Park (the remainder is divided between Volcanoes, Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable national parks in neighbouring Rwanda and Uganda). The great blue turaco is the largest member of the turaco family. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. African alpine bamboo (Yushania alpina) grows at altitudes of 2,3002,600m (7,5008,500ft). Photo Galleries, Photographer of the Year, TRAVEL & CONSERVATION COMPANY Several were observed at the northern shore of Lake Edwards in 1988 for the first time. The Virunga Mountains and their associated lava flows extend across the Western Rift Valley. The Virunga mountains are the most hike in DR Congo and they include Mount Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira which are active volcanoes, and lastly Mount Mikeno which is a dormant volcano. Chattering troops of flamboyant eastern b, There are four recognised subspecies of the African buffalo in Africa and two of these the Cape and forest are found in Virunga. Ten years later in 1979, Virunga was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourism facilities were developed and improved, and a trickle of intrepid visitors gradually turned into a steady stream of people looking to experience one of Africas most incredible destinations. The Centre is the only one of its kind in the world. In contrast to the relatively sedate gorilla trekking, chimp habituation more often than not involves an adrenaline-filled race through the forest to keep up with our arboreal relatives. Carefully selected conservation projects one-stop, seamless, transparent donations APP subscribers only. They eat mostly fruit, but also feed on buds, shoots, leaves, flowers, and insects. Mount Nyiragongo in Virunga National Park is one . Park officials are in the process of habituating the chimpanzees, and accompanying the habituation teams is another of the activities on offer in the park. Goma, the capital city of the province on the northern shores of Lake Kivu is 35 km (1-hour drive) away from Rumangabo, the park headquarters located in the southern sector of Kibumba. navy personnel command document services dd214, list of semi deciduous trees, emily weiss the hills,
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