麻豆约拍

Burial ceremonies are underway in the Democratic Republic of Congo after six park rangers were killed over the weekend in Virunga National Park, which is home to endangered mountain gorillas. This was the second deadly ambush happening in Africa鈥檚 oldest national park in less than a year.

The park鈥檚 director Emmanuel de Merode, says they have just 600 rangers taking on an estimated 1,800 militiamen in 12 well-organised and equipped groups. He says while the young rangers are heroic, they're up against almost impossible odds.

"The financial situation of the park is dire because of the Covid pandemic which has killed the tourism industry. So because of that the financial strain on the staff is enormous."

(Photo: Virunga National Park Rangers, including Emmanuel de Merode, watch as ranger Burhani Abdou Surumwe is buried. Credit: Reuters)