Virunga

Virunga National Park, also Parc national des Virunga, is a protected area in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. It lies in the Virunga Mountains near the border with Rwanda and Lake Kivu. The park was established in 1925 as Albert National Park and renamed Virunga National Park in 1969. It covers about 7,800 square kilometers of diverse habitats, including montane rainforest, volcanic forests, and the Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira volcanic region.

Ecology and species: The park preserves a range of ecosystems from lowland to alpine zones and supports a rich assemblage of fauna. It is a key habitat for the endangered mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) and also hosts chimpanzees, golden monkeys, elephants, and numerous bird species. The landscape includes volcanic peaks and active lava flows, contributing to its biodiversity and ecological significance.

Conservation and management: Virunga National Park is administered by the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN) under national law, with international partnerships. The park has faced ongoing threats from armed conflict in eastern Congo, poaching, illegal mining, and oil exploration in adjacent areas, along with disease outbreaks that affect wildlife and local communities. Conservation efforts focus on ranger-based protection, community engagement, and sustainable tourism.

In media: The name Virunga also refers to a 2014 documentary film titled Virunga, directed by Orlando von Einsiedel. The film follows park rangers and staff as they confront poachers and companies seeking to exploit resources, raising global awareness of the park’s conservation challenges and the individuals working to protect its ecosystems.