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Congo Militia Kills Gorilla Protector

Rangers fought off rebels for hours

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Jan 12, 2009 4:11 AM CST

(Newser) – Rebels have killed a ranger stationed in a Congo national park to protect endangered gorillas from the surrounding civil unrest, CNN reports. Safari Kakule was one of seven men attacked. Another ranger was injured and a rebel captured in fighting that lasted for hours. It's unclear why the militia attacked the station, authorities said. Fifteen rangers are being sent to reinforce the area—home to 18 remaining Eastern Lowland gorillas and 200 of the world's 700 mountain gorillas.

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A silverback mountain gorilla, seen in the Virunga National Park, near the Uganda border in eastern Congo. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

Ranger Safari Kakule was killed when rebels attacked a ranger station in Virunga National Park in the Congo.

The endangered gorillas are caught in the crossfire between militias in Congo's civil war. (AP Photo / Jerome Delay)

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Ranger Safari Kakule with gorillas in Virunga National Park last may. Safari was killed in an attack by Mai Mai rebels. (gorillacd)

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Congo Militia Kills Gorilla Protector