LONDON, October 15, 2024 -/African Media Agency (AMA)/- An activist based in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is recognized with a special prize from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) at BAFTA, London, for its work protecting wildlife and habitat in the Virunga National Park region.
Bantu Lukambo, 51, from Goma, has been fighting since 1994 to protect the wildlife and habitat of Virunga National Park, one of the most threatened conservation areas in the world, facing the dangers of armed conflict, poaching and oil interests.
Born in a fishing village in the heart of Virunga National Park, Lukambo grew up in communion with nature, learning from a young age the importance of respecting wildlife. Located in the east of the DRC, on the border of Rwanda and Uganda, this jewel of biodiversity extends some 3,000 km by road from the capital Kinshasa. Virunga, Africa’s oldest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to exceptional wildlife, including a third of the world’s population of mountain gorillas, as well as chimpanzees, okapis and more than 700 species of birds. It is in this threatened sanctuary that Lukambo’s commitment took root. In 1994, faced with the intensification of poaching by routed soldiers, he founded the NGO Innovation for the Development and Protection of the Environment (IDPE), marking the beginning of his fight for the preservation of this natural treasure.
“My father told me that it was thanks to hippos that we caught a lot of fish,” says Lukambo. “Growing up in the park taught me that you really have to respect the animals. When I saw that no one was standing up to protect them, I knew I had to act.”
One of Lukambo’s most notable achievements was his fierce fight against SOCO International’s Lake Edward oil exploration project. Launched in 2007, this project directly threatened the park’s fragile ecosystem. Lake Édouard, home to more than 50 species of fish, including 14 endemics, is a pillar of local biodiversity and a vital source of livelihood for more than 50,000 fishermen. Oil exploration would have endangered not only aquatic life, but also the thousands of hippos, elephants and birds that depend on the lake. Additionally, vibrations from seismic testing could have seriously disrupted the breeding and migration behaviors of many species. Despite threats, attempts at corruption and risks to his life, Lukambo persevered in his fight.
“I was offered $50,000 in cash to stop fighting,” he reveals. “But I couldn’t accept. Our lake is our cooking pot. If we exploit oil, it’s the death of us.”
His work contributed significantly to the withdrawal of SOCO International from the oil exploration project.
Today, Lukambo continues to play a leading role in the protection of Virunga Park, despite the context of war in the North Kivu region. He regularly visits the front lines to assess the impact of conflict on wildlife, habitat and communities, focusing particularly on mountain gorillas, birds and fish.
Lukambo also initiated several community projects, including a radio called “Radio Communautaire Environnementale de Kanyabayonga”. These initiatives aim to reconcile conservation and local development.
“What makes me most proud is to have succeeded in making my community understand that it is thanks to this environment that we live,” says Lukambo. “Today, at least 70% of our community understands that we really need to protect the parks.”
During his 30 years on the job, Lukambo risked his life numerous times, facing armed militants, the military, wildlife traffickers and poachers. He was arrested several times, suffered physical attacks, and was even buried alive for two days for saving a baby gorilla from traffickers.
Moses Olinga, IFAW Program Manager – Uganda and Horn of Africa, said: “Bantu Lukambo’s courage and determination in the face of unimaginable challenges is truly inspiring. His work demonstrates the enormous impact one individual can have on protecting animals and the environment in one of the most challenging regions in the world. He is a worthy recipient of the IFAW Animal Action Award.”
Lukambo will receive his award at the prestigious IFAW Animal Action Awards ceremony on October 17.
Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of IFAW.
Notes to editors
- For more information, photos or to arrange interviews, please contact
Roland Klohi
African Media Agency – AMA
Roland@africanmediaagency.com
The winners were chosen by the public. This year, more than 650 applications were received from 29 countries. After an assessment and shortlisting process, nine winners from around the world were selected to receive one of the Animal Action Awards.
About IFAW
The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is a global nonprofit organization that helps animals and people thrive together. We are experts and ordinary citizens, working in more than 40 countries around the world. We rescue, rehabilitate and release animals, and we restore and protect their natural habitats. The problems we face are urgent and complicated. To solve them, we combine new ideas with bold actions. We collaborate with local communities, governments, non-governmental organizations and businesses. Together, we are creating innovative new ways to help all species thrive. Find out how at ifaw.org.
Source : African Media Agency (AMA)
2024-10-15 12:20:00
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