Despite the recent and ongoing insecurity in eastern DR Congo, the status of gorillas in the wild remains largely stable.…
Why the conflict in eastern DRC is so dangerous for gorillas
The conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has shaped life in this region for decades. Armed groups have operated here since the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, drawn into a long struggle for political influence, territory and control of mineral-rich land. The current fighting between the M23, which is a Tutsi-led militia group backed by Rwanda, and the Congolese armed forces has brought a new level of instability to an area that is already deeply fragile.
In January 2025, M23 rebels had captured Goma, the capital of North Kivu. A day later the group seized Goma’s airport, cutting off vital supply routes. Since then, the conflict has spread across much of North Kivu and has moved dangerously close to key conservation landscapes. These areas include Walikale, Itombwe and the forests surrounding Kahuzi Biega National Park, which hold some of the last populations of Grauer’s gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas.
The impact on conservation work is becoming increasingly severe.
Rangers forced off their posts
Rangers have repeatedly been forced to leave their guard posts as the frontlines shift. At various points this year, gorilla families have been left without any active protection because it has simply become too dangerous for rangers to remain in position.
Their patrols already involved crossing contested terrain and moving through areas where armed groups are active. As the conflict has intensified, rangers have had vehicles, computers and communication equipment looted. The absence of basic tools makes it even harder to carry out routine monitoring or respond quickly when threats emerge.
Whenever armed groups are present, law enforcement becomes almost impossible. With fewer patrols and reduced visibility in the forest, the risk to gorillas rises sharply.
A communication blackout that puts wildlife in danger
In any crisis, reliable communication allows rangers to warn one another, coordinate patrols and respond to poaching threats. In eastern DRC, these systems have been breaking down. Internet and phone networks are frequently cut. Radio stations and local transmitters have been shut off when armed groups move into new areas. In some project sites, contact has been completely lost for stretches of time.
There have been long periods when teams, including our own back in London, simply did not know whether rangers were safe or whether gorilla groups had been disturbed, scattered or harmed. Without dependable communication, conservation work becomes extremely difficult and far more dangerous for the teams working on the ground
Displacement and hunger increase pressure on wildlife
The conflict has pushed huge numbers of families to flee their homes. Some are leaving rural areas for Goma. Others who had previously taken refuge in Rwanda or Uganda are attempting to return to the DRC. Inside the country, many internally displaced people have gathered in any location that offers a possibility of safety, such as Goma, even if that means living in overcrowded improvised settlements.
A sudden increase in population places enormous pressure on food supplies. When markets collapse and aid does not arrive, people turn to the forest. Historically, every major displacement crisis in eastern DRC has led to a rise in bushmeat hunting. Gorillas are slow moving and easy to find and this makes them especially vulnerable when communities are pushed to extremes.
Desperation is driving a rise in poaching
There are already signs that illegal hunting has increased in parts of North and South Kivu. Conflict weakens law enforcement and gives poachers more freedom to operate. With fewer patrols in the forest, hunters can enter protected areas without being detected. At the same time, hunger and displacement are forcing some people to kill wildlife they would not normally target.
For species that are endangered or critically endangered, even a small rise in poaching can have long lasting consequences. For gorillas, the gains made over the past thirty to forty years risk being reversed in a very short period of time.
Health risks are rising alongside the conflict
Population movement and overcrowded settlements have contributed to a rise in Mpox cases in eastern DRC. Attacks on health centres have forced medical staff and patients to flee, leaving communities without treatment or preventive care.
Gorillas are highly susceptible to human diseases. When people move deeper into forested areas or seek shelter near wildlife habitats, the risk of disease transmission grows. This combination of conflict, displacement and illness creates another layer of danger for already fragile gorilla populations.
The stakes could not be higher
Every aspect of this conflict affects gorillas and the communities who live alongside them. The evacuation of rangers, the loss of communication systems, the pressure on food supplies, the rise in poaching and the spread of disease all contribute to a situation where decades of conservation progress could be undone. None of these threats exist in isolation. Together, they place gorillas, and local people, in acute danger.
Our teams need additional support to stay safe, continue patrols, restore communication and protect gorilla families through the uncertainty ahead. This is one of the most challenging moments for conservation in eastern DRC in many years. The future of these gorilla populations depends on the strength of the response now.
If you are able to support our emergency appeal, your contribution will go directly to the rangers and community teams working every day to keep gorillas safe.
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