Oil companies want to have their cake and eat it in Virunga

Africa's oldest National Park is under threat and big time. Virunga National Park is a place of incredible natural beauty and of great importance to the wildlife in Africa. The park has an exceptional diversity of mammals, birds and reptiles; more than in any other area on the African continent. The area is rich in mountain gorillas, which are an endangered species, increasingly being pushed out of forests to make way for agriculture, logging and now, from the oil companies. A UK based oil company called SOCO was recently carrying out oil exploitation operations within the borders of the National Park. These activities compromise the mountain gorillas as a species and all other wildlife within this World Heritage Site.

The destruction of a World Heritage Site

It gets its name from the Virunga Mountains in the South and stretches to the Rwenzori Mountains to the North of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. It was made a World Heritage Site in 1979 by UNESCO. The face of this park could dramatically change in recent times due to the imminent threat oil companies pose to the ecosystem and wildlife of Virunga National Park.

Mountain gorillas, found in Virunga National Park, are now listed as one of the most
critically endangered species in the World

The documentary "Virunga" and the people on the front line

Orlando von Einsiedel travelled in Virunga back in 2012 to document the positive progress made by the park authorities in their conservation efforts and successful tourism initiatives in the area. In the same year a rebellion broke out in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Political instability in this area has, in the past, encouraged land invasions and poaching. Little did he know that the real imminent threat would come from a multi national corporation called SOCO International.

The company had been offering bribes to the park rangers to ease their way into exploiting the terrain at Virunga National Park. The film also exposes the vulnerable position of the park rangers, who are sent harassing and intimidating emails from SOCO International.

The future for Virunga

Although SOCO is committed to stop it's explorations within Virunga National Park, it's personnel and offices remain present in the National Park. This is extremely worrying to the park rangers, as SOCO has only committed to stop it's explorations for the time being, It's remaining presence in the area could indicate future intentions for exploitation of the land.

Current appeal from UNESCO and WWF

The World Wide Fund (WWF), continue to monitor the situation in the park and have desperately appealed to the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo to cancel all oil exploitation permits. UNESCO has also requested the government to put a stop to oil exploitation permits. These organisations require the support of the public to protect Virunga National Park and for it to be secure for the future.

The actions of SOCO International can at best be described as careless towards the environment and ruthless towards the people and communities who live and dedicate their lives to the maintenance and protection of this World Heritage Site.

The Academy Award nominated documentary about Virunga can now be seen on Netflix. Since the release of the film donations to the park have tripled compared to the previous year. Sustainable tourism is also on the rise and positively impacting the area, because more money can be put into conservation efforts.

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