The Solitary Silverback Gorilla Mukunda had been ravaging the crops of local villagers living around Virunga’s Gorilla Sector for two months. We were starting to fear for his life, as his systematic crop-raiding destroyed the livelihoods of the local communities who depend upon their agricultural produce to survive.

The Rangers had to take action to get Mukunda – who had strayed over 5km from the forest in search of maize and bananas – back to the park.

Watch this video to see the daring intervention by Rangers and the Gorilla Doctors to re-locate Mukunda back to the forest. (The video starts with the HUGOs trying to chase Mukunda back to the park).