Home » Gorilla Selfie Helps Virunga Protect More Animals

Gorilla Selfie Helps Virunga Protect More Animals

An unusual selfie taken by a ranger at Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo has helped the Park raise much needed awareness and funds to protect more animals. The photo, which included two orphaned gorillas – Ndakazi and Ndeze –  striking very human-like poses, was taken by ranger Mathieu Shamvu, an anti-poaching […]

By SAPeople
02-05-19 11:58
in Africa

An unusual selfie taken by a ranger at Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo has helped the Park raise much needed awareness and funds to protect more animals.

The photo, which included two orphaned gorillas – Ndakazi and Ndeze –  striking very human-like poses, was taken by ranger Mathieu Shamvu, an anti-poaching guard at Virunga. It went instantly viral around the world.

Upon reaching their fundraising target, Virunga said: “A special thanks to Ndakazi and Ndeze for just being their fun-loving selves and showing the world the magic of Virunga! ????”

The photo of the female endangered orphans, which also features caretaker Patrick Sadiki, was taken inside the Senkwekwe center at Virunga National Park.

To those who couldn’t believe it wasn’t photoshopped, Virunga said: “YES, it’s real!”

They explained: “Those gorilla gals are always acting cheeky so this was the perfect shot of their true personalities!”

Virunga said: “It’s no surprise to see these girls on their two feet either — most primates are comfortable walking upright (bipedalism) for short bursts of time.” They revealed the gorilla, which is the largest primate in the world, shares 98% of its DNA with humans.

The Park did caution tourists to not try and recreate the shot, and said it was taken under “exceptional circumstances”.

Ndakazi and Ndeze have lived in this enclosed orphan sanctuary since they were infants.

“The caretakers at Senkwekwe take great care to not put the health of the gorillas in danger. It is never permitted to approach a gorilla in the wild,” said Virunga.

Ranger Mathieu said: “I am very happy to be Star of the moment, but especially to have honored my country especially the ICNN (Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature) and the VIRUNGA Park.” (He actually said: “Je suis contant d’etre Star du moment, mais surtout d’avoir honore mon pays en particulier l’CCN et le Parc DES VIRUNGA”)

Virunga, which is Africa’s oldest national park and the continent’s most biologically diverse protected area, has suffered violence and attacks in the past, as featured in award-winning documentary ‘Virunga’. Most recently the park was closed for nine months, until February this year, after nine people were killed (and a ranger in a neighbouring province was murdered in the past week).

So the rangers are truly putting their lives at risk to protect those of the animals.

Citizen movement Fight for Change described the viral photo as showing the face of “these unsung heroes who fight every day to preserve Virunga Park and our other parks, to protect our precious ecosystems.”

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