Suspected rebels have ambushed and killed five rangers and their driver at the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a spokesman told media.
A sixth ranger was reportedly injured in the attack that took place in the central section of the reserve.
This incident has been sighted as one of the worst in the history of the national park, where over 170 rangers have died protecting animals over the last 20 years.
Despite boasting Africa’s most diverse wildlife habitat, the park has earned a reputation for being one of the most dangerous conservation projects in the world.
Armed groups are known to be based in the park, and they are suspected of frequent poaching of the animals.
Virunga is home to about a quarter of the world’s remaining 880 mountain gorillas, as well as lions, elephants and hippos – source: BBC.
