Prince William issues emotional statement after ‘tragic loss of life’ in armed raid

The Prince of Wales has issued an emotional statement after five members of staff were killed at a national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Prince William has issued an emotional message after an armed raid at a national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo resulted in the deaths of five staff members. The Prince of Wales, who has been a long-term advocate for those working in wildlife protection and fronted a series on wildlife rangers last year, spoke about the loss of life in a poignant post online.

The events unfolded at the Upemba National Park earlier this week, when the park’s headquarters in Lusinga was attacked by Mayi‑Mayi militia, who also looted equipment and destroyed infrastructure. Five rangers were killed defending the park and its vital resources.

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Writing on the official Instagram page for the Prince and Princess of Wales, William said: “I am truly saddened to hear of the tragic loss of life at Upemba National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, following an armed raid of the park earlier this week.

“Environmental protection has become one of the most dangerous jobs on the planet and the bravery of those on the frontline of conservation must never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the families and friends of the park staff who lost their lives defending our natural world.”

Upemba National Park is one of the DRC’s most important conservation areas, and the incident underscores the increasing danger faced by rangers and environmental defenders globally.

The Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN) confirmed the attack, as they said the park’s HQ at Lusinga in Katanga province was “the target of an armed raid carried out by a group of unidentified assailants”, adding: “Five members of the park’s staff have tragically lost their lives.”

The ICCN condemned the incursion as a “flagrant violation” of national law and of international conventions protecting natural areas. Created in 1939, Upemba park was home to black rhino, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, lions and other endangered species whose populations have since been largely decimated.

Prince William has long been vocal about the life-threatening work done by the wildlife rangers. In 2025, the Prince of Wales, alongside The Royal Foundation’s United for Wildlife, worked on a documentary titled Guardians to shed light on the vital work rangers do to protect the planet.

It’s not the only time William has condemned violence at national parks in the DRC. In 2021, the Prince of Wales issued a statement after Africa’s oldest national park, the 3,000-square-mile Virunga National Park, was ambushed.

Investigations indicate that six rangers were ambushed while performing vital conservation work at the UNESCO World Heritage Site and had no opportunity to defend themselves, resulting in their tragic deaths.

“The horrendous attack on staff at the Virunga National Park is abhorrent and I condemn the actions of those responsible in the strongest terms,” William said at the time.

“Rangers who work tirelessly to protect both the national park and the neighboring communities should be honored not attacked. They should never find themselves in a position where their lives are on the line.”