You remember this Selfie of the century from Virunga national park. 13 Eco Guards killed in Virunga National park yesterday in Congo. In last 20 years 180+ foresters have laid down their lives fighting poachers and defending Gorillas, on the line of duty. RIP our earth heroes.

A statement on the park's website said there were indications that this was an attack on the local civilian population.

"Virunga Park Rangers were not the target of the assault, but lost their lives responding to the attack in defence of the local population". #BBC.

The Park was established in 1925 as Africa's first National Park. Here is the official statement by Park with details of all 13 rangers which lost their lives in ambush. https://virunga.org/news/updated-statement-from-virunga-national-park-on-recent-attack

Threat to Mountain gorilla; Infants are sold for pet (fetches good money in black market), trophy, sometime killed for bush-meat (which is a luxury item), habitat loss, War and conflict, Diseases.

Now there are some 1000 individuals remaining on planet. PC WWF / Wil LUIIJF