- Augustin Kambale
Augustin Kambale is the head of the
Bukima ranger patrol post, in the Mikeno sector ofVirunga National Park in theDemocratic Republic of the Congo . His patrol group has gained notoriety in recent years due to the importance of Virunga to conservationists, as it serves as the refuge for 100 of the world's 700 remainingsilverback gorilla s. It has also been subjected to numerous bloody attacks from rebels camped or residing outside of the park boundaries; since 1996, over 120 Virunga rangers have been murdered by rebels such as theMai Mai and the forces of GeneralLaurent Nkunda . However, Nkunda signed a ceasefire in February 2007 with the government inKinshasa , thus allowing for the rangers at Virunga to focus more on their jobs as conservationists.He also works with the efforts of
WildlifeDirect and British conservationistRob Muir .Personal life
He was married in a religious ceremony to his wife, Josephine, in 1990, but didn't marry her in a civil ceremony until
March 31 ,2007 , inKiwanja , nearRutshuru .External links
* [http://wildlifedirect.org/blogAdmin/congorangers/ Wildlife Direct blog for Kambale and other Virunga rangers]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/07/africa_gorilla_guardians/html/1.stm BBC interview with Augustin Kambale]
* [http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2007-03-11-save-the-gorillas_N.htm USAToday.com - "Web charity helps save Congo's gorillas"]
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