Four men have been arrested and could face life in prison over the killing of a popular silverback mountain gorilla in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
In a statement released on Twitter, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) alleged the men killed Rafiki — a well-known mountain gorilla, of approximately 25 years age — with a sharp object that penetrated his internal organs after entering through his abdomen.
According to the World Wildlife Fund, with a population of just more than 1,000, mountain gorillas are considered an endangered species and can only be found in East Africa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda.
Rafiki had been missing since June 1.
In a statement, UWA said their investigators had found the main suspect in a nearby village on June 4 with hunting equipment, including spear, rope and wire snares and a dog hunting bell.
According to UWA, the man confessed to killing Rafiki in self-defence when he came upon the gorilla while hunting for wild pig in the park.
"He says he had gone hunting in the park … where he came into contact with the group [of gorillas]. When the silverback charged at them, he speared it," the statement said.
Rafiki belonged to the famous Nkuringo group — the first group to be habituated in the park in 1997, meaning its members were used to human contact.
At the time of Rafiki's death the group had 17 members, including one silverback (Rafiki), three blackbacks, eight adult females, two juveniles and three infants.
Wildlife officials feared what the death of the silverback could do to the group, who are vital to ecotourism in the region.
"The death of Rafiki leaves the group unstable and there is the possibility that it could disintegrate," Bashir Hangi from the UWA told the BBC.
"It has no leadership at this time and it could be taken over by a wild silverback."
If that happened, the group would not want to come into contact with humans, which ultimately could affect tourism, he said.
UWA is currently monitoring the group to ensure it is ready for tourists when the park reopens.
The four suspects are currently in Kisoro Police Station awaiting trial under the Uganda Wildlife Act 2019, which carries a fine of $7.8 million or a life sentence, or both.
ABC
