Netflix’s new documentary Virunga is an incredibly moving look at the fight to save the mountain gorillas in the Virunga National Park in Eastern Congo. With only 800 mountain gorillas left on the planet, the work being done by a small group of dedicated Congolese park rangers is vital for the continued existence of this endangered species.
The film highlights the challenges that the gorillas face. Despite the fact that their habitat, Virunga, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and thus protected from exploitation of its natural resources, there is increasing pressure from international oil company SOCO for development. Through courageous undercover investigation, Virunga shows the type of illegal and reprehensible conduct that SOCO is willing to engage in for the sake of making money. Through middlemen, bribes are paid to local rebel groups for “safe passage” into areas where SOCO wants to conduct oil exploration. This essentially is blood money that puts a bounty on the heads of wildlife, park rangers, and any local villagers who may get in the way.
Virunga inspires admiration for the brave people who risk their lives against incredible odds in the name of protecting wildlife. This includes the people who care for the gorillas, patrol the park, and the journalists who placed themselves in the line of fire to bring this story to the world.
There is so much beauty in this world – so much amazing and wonderful life. It’s hard sometimes to remember that when you are sitting in traffic, punching a time clock, or doing any number of tasks that occupy your day-to-day life. You may never have a chance to visit a place like Virunga. You may never see the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat and feel the Congolese rain on your skin. But, there is something valuable in knowing that this place exists and that these incredible animals are in it. The world is a better place because of Virunga and the people who risk their lives to protect it.
Not everyone can be a wildlife crusader, but there are still ways to help. You can contribute to the brave work being done to protect the mountain gorillas in Virunga by donating at https://virunga.org/donate/. In addition to financial support, there are other ways to help the cause. Virungamovie.com has a list of companies that invest in SOCO. You can use this list to evaluate your own investments to be sure that you are not financially contributing to a company that has so little value for life. You can also support the park by watching Virunga and spreading the word to your friends, family, and social media contacts about this documentary. People have a surprisingly large capacity for empathy and will help if they are given the tools to do so. Please help so that your children and your children’s children can live in a world where mountain gorillas thrive.