Uganda: Four men arrested for killing popular 25-year-old gorilla Rafiki at UNESCO park

Ugandan wildlife authorities have arrested four men in connection with killing of a 25-year-old popular male gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park on Friday, June 12.  silverback gorilla, named Rafiki, was leer of Nkuringo - a gorilla group and was hugely popular among tourists. Rafiki went missing on June 1 and his body was found next day after a search operation was launched by wildlife authority.

UWA in an official statement informed that a detailed investigation was carried out following death of  Silverback gorilla and post-mortem report revealed that ape sustained an injury by a sharp device/object that penetrated left upper part of his abdomen, injuring internal organs.

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statement furr revealed that UWA investigators h found main suspect in a nearby village on June 4. At time of arrest, suspect was caught with  meat of bush pig and several or hunting devices including a spear, rope snares, wires snares, and a dog hunting bell.

According to UWA, man confessed to killing Rafiki in self-defence when he came upon gorilla while hunting for a wild pig in park.  four suspects are currently at Kisoro police station awaiting trial in court of law.

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About Nkuringo group

Rafiki belonged to famous Nkuringo group:  first group to be habituated in park in 1997. At time of Rafiki's death, group h 17 members, including one silverback (Rafiki), three blackbacks, eight ult females, two juveniles, and three infants.

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