#ReptileAwarenessDay⠀ ⠀ Tree Agama Lizards are found around Rumangabo in the Maura Forest. This female Agama is likely to be part of a polygamous group. Reptiles play an important part in ecosystems as they are both the predator and prey.

Ndakasi, Gorilla Orphan Centre. ⠀ ⠀ She looks like an angel but behind those lovely eyes is a bundle of intelligence, naughtiness and a gorilla who believes in herself and those who are around her.⠀ ⠀ Help care for the orphan gorillas of Senkwekwe as well as the wild mountain gorillas that call Virunga their home via our symbolic Adopt A Gorilla scheme. Link in bio.⠀ ⠀ 📸 Adam Keifer⠀ ⠀ #MountainGorillas #Conservation #GorillaOrphanage

Mountains of the Moon 🌙⠀ ⠀ The Rwenzori massif looms above the Semliki Valley and the start of the Ituri Forest. Mt Maguerite is the third highest peak in Africa at 5109m. Emmanuel and the team summited safely yesterday and are expected to arrive back at Virunga HQ in the next few days.⠀ ⠀ You can support their #WildLifeRangerChallenge and help keep the gorilla sector free from snares via the link in our bio.⠀ ⠀ #MountainTrekking #ForRangers #DRCongo #Challenges

Lulimbi Lions. In the central sector, we host a few families of lions. Due to their shyness, we don't see them that often but they are ever-present, heard occasionally calling in the night. Recently we have seen a couple of lionesses by the Ruti Airbase.⠀ ⠀ #Lion #WildlifeConservation #WildlifeSeekers #Biodiversity

Nyiragongo. The mountain of fire. 🔥⠀ ⠀ Nyiragongo in Kinyabwisha means a burden on a mother's back. She carries the largest lava lake in the world at an approximate elevation of 2975m. It has some of the fastest moving lava in the world, moving at about 100km per hour.⠀ ⠀ #VolcanoesNationalPark #LandscapeLovers #Congo

Golden Monkeys are on the endangered list due to the conflict that has hit the areas that they live in. We don't see them often in Virunga, but they have been spotted near Kibumba Camp, Gikeri. They are endemic to Rwanda, Uganda, and DRC and are social animals who spend their day eating bamboo, leaves, and fruit.⠀ ⠀ #Monkeys #WildlifePlanet #AnimalsLovers

Bushbuck are shy, solitary and territorial animals, which spend their time in forests. They tend to be brownish (females) and mature males can carry a darkish brown color. They have up to seven stripes as their markings with white splotches on the side. ⠀ ⠀ In Virunga, they can be found in three of the sectors of the park.⠀ ⠀ #Wildlife #NaturePhotography #Congo

After returning to Virunga HQ, Emmanuel and the ranger team have now continued their journey to the peak of the Rwenzori Mountains.   Last Saturday, the Virunga team climbed to the first hut of the challenge, however, after they were informed about the sad death of our ranger Bagurubumwe Chuhoze Deogene they returned to Virunga HQ to be with the rest of the rangers.   The Virunga team is climbing the Rwenzori Mountains as part of the Wildlife Ranger Challenge in solidarity with rangers across Africa. #ForRangers #CharityChallenge #MountainTrek

It is with the deepest sorrow that Virunga National Park announces the death of Ranger Bagurubumwe Chuhoze Deogene. He was killed on 10th October 2020 during an attack on an ICCN patrol post near the Village of Sarambwe. He held the position of Head of Section and had worked for the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN) since 1996. He leaves behind a wife and 3 children. We offer our sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of our lost Ranger. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this time. For the full statement, please click the link in bio.

This morning, Emmanuel and the Virunga team started their #WildlifeRangerChallenge to reach the summit of the Rwenzori Mountains. As part of the challenge, over the next 10 days, the Virunga team will travel 42km and ascend 3919m in solidarity with rangers across Africa and help raise funds for Virunga National Park. We have managed to get the support of @EuropeAid and the Scheinberg Relief Fund who will match every dollar that you give us by 25%. You can support the challenge and the Virunga team via the link in our bio. As always we are enormously grateful for your donations.

#ThrowbackThursday ⠀ ⠀ This Colobus monkey was captured hanging out at the Mikeno Lodge Construction site in 2011. ⠀ ⠀ Gripping onto the handrail tightly with just four fingers, he, like all members of his troop, has a small, barely visible thumb that provides no purpose. This unique feature does not, however, impact his ability to nimbly navigate across the forest.

A baby baboon clings tightly to her mother's back as she goes about her day. Like many young primates, she is born with the reflex to grip tightly, relying on her 'Mum' for food and safety.⠀ ⠀ #Baboon #Wildlife #Africa