Prince William has said he is “profoundly saddened” to hear of the tragic events at Upemba National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo earlier this week. An armed attack at the park on Tuesday saw five staff members killed.
Equipment at the park’s headquarters at Lusinga was looted and infrastructure suffered extensive damage. Responding to the incident, the prince said in a message: “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.”
The Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN) 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”.
They added: “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.
The park is one of the DCR’s most important conservation areas, and the incident underscores the increasing danger faced by rangers and environmental defenders globally.
William has been a long-term advocate for those working in the field of wildlife protection. Last year, he was involved with a six-part documentary series designed to shine a light on the dangerous, often unseen work of wildlife rangers worldwide.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.express.co.uk ’
