Senkwekwe, a real orphanage for gorillas

The conflicts, combined with the continual threat of poachers, sickness, and deforestation, have put the mountain gorilla population in jeopardy. Only about 800 of them survive today, the most in the Virunga Mountains and the majority have been murdered either in the line of fire or directly attacked by rebels looking to steal newborn gorillas to sell to zoos.

However, there are gorilla refuges and ecological reserves in Congo that promise to safeguard gorillas from extinction or thievery. The Senkwekwe Orphanage in the Virunga Mountains National Park is one of them, where professionals care for animals who have lost their moms. The sanctuary provides a safe haven for gorillas that have been traumatized by the ongoing conflict.

But even this haven is under attack. More than 136 workers who guarded the park have died since 1996. The rebels are not only trying to steal from the children but also to sell the meat of adult gorillas, which has become increasingly popular in African emerging cities.

Meanwhile, the Senkwekwe center is a clamorous sanctuary where animals can regain physical and psychological health. Something must be done, possibly through international action. We are all aware that losing gorillas is akin to losing a basic part of ourselves.