Located in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Virunga National Park is one of the most biodiverse protected areas in the world.
With over 790,000 hectares, it is home to swamps, steppes, volcanic savannas, jungles, and snow-capped peaks exceeding 5,000 meters in height in the Rwenzori Massif.
Among its inhabitants are:
- 20,000 hippos that roam its rivers.
- Mountain gorillas, an endangered species.
- Over 200 species of mammals and 700 of birds.
However, since 1994, the park has been facing a serious environmental and security crisis due to the arrival of armed groups that have exploited its resources and threatened its fauna.
Virunga’s Origins, Africa’s First National Park
Founded in 1925 under the name Albert National Park, Virunga was the first protected park in the history of the African continent.
In its early years, the goal was to keep nature under control, avoiding direct human intervention, as explained by Jean-Pierre d’Huart, former scientific curator of the park.
Since its creation, Virunga has been a conservation frontier, surrounded by protected areas such as Semuliki, Rwenzori, Queen Elizabeth, and the Volcanoes of Rwanda.
A Key Reserve for Mountain Gorillas
Virunga is home to a quarter of the world’s population of mountain gorillas, a species threatened by poaching and habitat destruction.
Due to its ecological importance, in 1994, UNESCO declared the park a World Heritage Site in Danger, aiming to protect its vast biodiversity.
The Park’s Crisis: Exploitation, Violence, and War
For the past 20 years, Virunga has been a scene of armed conflicts, especially due to the presence of the March 23 Movement (M23).
These rebel groups:
- Control large areas of the park, exploiting minerals, coal, and wood.
- Engage in poaching, threatening protected species.
- Cause massive deforestation, destroying key ecosystems.
Furthermore, oil companies have tried to exploit the park’s subsoil, leading to strong international resistance to prevent the devastation of the protected area.
Over 300 Rangers Killed
Insecurity in Virunga has claimed the lives of over 300 rangers, killed by armed groups and poachers.
Even the park director, Emmanuel de Merode, survived an assassination attempt in 2014, when he was ambushed and shot while driving on a nearby road.
Tourism Closed Due to War
Due to the presence of armed groups, tourism in Virunga has been suspended, resulting in a significant loss of income for park conservation.
Moreover, violence has had negative impacts on ecosystems, affecting its fauna and promoting illegal fishing in Lake Edward, harming aquatic life.
Virunga, Symbol of Resilience and Development
Despite the challenges, the park has been a driver of development for local communities, supported by the European Union and other organizations.
Among the most significant advances:
- Construction of three hydroelectric plants that have created thousands of jobs.
- 70% of Goma’s electricity supply comes from Virunga.
Celebrating 100 Years with Chocolate
To commemorate its centenary, the park has launched a line of artisanal chocolates shaped like gorillas, made with high-quality cocoa grown by small producers in the region.
These chocolates will be sold in Europe to raise funds for park protection and its rangers.
An Uncertain Future, Yet Full of Hope
Virunga continues to resist amid an environmental and security crisis, showing that conservation is an ongoing struggle.
While the international community watches events unfold in the DRC, the park remains an emblem of resilience, biodiversity, and hope for the region.
