Rainforest Leopards

[Luipaard]

"Another conservation tragedy happened before yesterday in Luntukulu, in Walungu , South Kivu region, when a male leopard was sighted around the villages. Villagers tried to get in its way and in the struggle to break free from the mob, the leopard injured at least five men. At this stage no one knows where the leopard may have come from but the territory of Walungu borders with the Kahuzi Biega National Park. In a blink of an eye, the animal was killed, its paws cut off and teeth plucked out. There is a theory that leopards paws, teeth , skin, bones and even meat have superstitious powers. Human-animal conflicts are real and slowly becoming rife in the Kivu area where this year alone, two weeks ago a third hippo was gunned down in Uvira by members of the DRC army and three gorillas killed for food by rebels in North Kivu. As the world preaches the gospel of fighting extinction, seemingly the battle is being lost at grassroots level. Organisations such as Conserv Congo stands firmly against this type of barbaric and irresponsible behaviour and calls upon local authorities not only to take action against the culprits but also to sensitise masses on the gains of protecting our natural heritage."

Warning, graphic images

Source: @conservcongo

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

Reply