WWF - News

Total to keep out of Virunga World Heritage Site

2013-05-17

Addressing investors in Paris today, Total Chairman and CEO Christophe de Margerie affirmed that the company will not explore for oil within the boundaries of Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Responding to questions posed by conservation group WWF, de Margerie told the annual shareholder meeting that Total is making a "commitment to respect the current limits" of the park, which is Africa's oldest World Heritage Site.

"We welcome Total's clear and comprehensive assurance that no oil exploration or exploitation activities will be conducted by the company within Virunga National Park. We urge British oil exploration company Soco International PLC immediately to stop all activities in the park and to make a similar commitment," said Lasse Gustavsson, Executive Director of Conservation at WWF International.

"Virunga National Park has been recognized by UNESCO and the DRC government as a place of outstanding natural value, and we will continue to fight to preserve it for the people that depend on it for their sustainable livelihoods. This is our line in the sand. Oil exploration in Virunga National Park is simply unacceptable," Gustavsson said.

WWF presses Total for protection of World Heritage Sites

2013-05-16

WWF today has issued an open letter to investors in French oil giant Total expressing concerns over the company's ongoing activities on the edge of a prized national park in Africa. The conservation group is calling for assurances from Total that it will keep out of Democratic Republic of the Congo's Virunga National Park.

WWF believes that the area currently covered by Africa's first national park and the continent's oldest World Heritage Site is a 'no go' zone for oil exploration. The organization fears that possible future changes to park boundaries could open a loop hole that would allow for drilling in sensitive habitats, which would endanger wildlife and local livelihoods.

"At its annual general meeting, Total has a unique opportunity to live up to the expectations of our fellow citizens and some of its shareholders and financial partners," said WWF-France's J.B. Roelens. "By making a public commitment never to operate within the current boundaries of Virunga National Park, nor any other UNESCO World Heritage Site, Total could make May 17th a landmark date in corporate social and environmental responsibility."

An opinion poll conducted by an independent surveyor this month on behalf of WWF has revealed significant public support for protection of World Heritage Sites from oil and gas extraction. Fully 8 out of 10 French citizens say they would "very much" like French companies to promise not to exploit such places. Even more think that the financial partners of these companies bear some of the responsibility for the environmental impact of exploiting these hydrocarbon deposits. Similarly, 80 per cent of the French declare that they would be more likely to buy petrol or heating oil from an oil company if it promised never to engage in oil or gas extraction in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

WWF message to Total investors in advance of tomorrow's meeting is that the risks inherent in exploration activities could compromise the integrity of Virunga National Park. WWF is seeking a clear and comprehensive guarantee by Total that this exceptional natural place and all other World Heritage Sites will remain forever untouched by the company.

First Kinshasa public gathering on oil organized in part by WWF

2013-02-24

Kinshasa, DRC - The issue of oil and its impact on people and their land was discussed by civil society, the oil industry and representatives from the Congolese government at a two day conference in Kinshasa, co-organized by WWF-Democratic Republic of Congo. It was the first time such a meeting on oil took place.

For the first time ever, members of civil society, representatives from the oil industry and Congolese government officials met to discuss emerging issues around oil exploration and its impact on the people and landscapes in DRC.

The high pertinence of the oil issue in the country was evident by the participation of over 80 individuals.

Oil is expected to bring more income to the country than mining, which could potentially change the country's economy. However oil extraction is also threatening communities and some of the country's most prized landscapes, including World Heritage sites such as Virunga National Park.

Floribert Masani from the Goma-based organization Réseau CREF came to Kinshasa to share his experiences with oil company Soco, which is operating in an area that contains part of Lake Edward and the Virunga National Park, a World Heritage and Ramsar site.

"We fear that oil will yet be the new resource triggering even more conflict in our region and will destroy our lake and its fish stock, on which we depend," Masani said.

WWF co-organized the conference with Réseau Ressources Naturelles, the national network of environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and Southern African Resource Watch.

At the meeting, the organizations drafted a list of recommendations for the DRC government and the oil companies, including:

Transparency of oil contracts and agreements and a thorough consultation process with affected local communities living in and near oil concessions.
Upholding of commitments under international agreements like the World Heritage Convention.
Respect for Congolese law that forbids oil exploration in protected areas like Virunga National Park.

"With this conference, WWF and its partner NGOs have send a clear signal to the oil companies and the government that we are following the oil development very closely and will fight for laws to be respected in order to save our precious habitats and communities that depend on them," said René Ngongo of WWF-DRC.

"We have seen how oil exploration has brought little to nothing to the people in Bas-Congo [the most westerly province in DRC] and has destroyed the ecosystems on which they so heavily depend. This story cannot be repeated in Virunga," Ngongo said.

Mountain gorilla population grows

2012-11-13

The total world population of mountain gorillas has risen to 880, according to census data released today by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The number of mountain gorillas has increased from the 2010 estimate of 786 after a count in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

The critically endangered animals live only in two locations, Bwindi and the Virunga Massif area, which spans parts of Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Rwanda.

A total of 400 mountain gorillas have been confirmed to be living in Bwindi and 480 were counted in the Virunga Massif in 2010. Both populations have had positive trends in population growth over the last decade.

"Mountain gorillas are the only great ape experiencing a population increase. This is largely due to intensive conservation efforts and successful community engagement," said David Greer, WWF's African Great Ape Programme Manager.

Many mountain gorilla groups have been habituated to human presence and are a major tourist draw. In addition to supporting the important surveillance activities of park staff, visitor revenue has been reinvested into community projects such as wells and schools.

The greatest current threats to mountain gorillas are entanglement in hunting snares, disease transfer from humans, and habitat loss. The prospect of oil exploration in Democratic Republic of the Congo's Virunga National Park by petroleum companies is also cause for concern.

While oil drilling would not occur directly in gorilla habitat, industrial activity would compromise the integrity of Virunga National Park, Africa's first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An influx of workers and heavy equipment could greatly threaten the park's prized biodiversity, which also includes elephants, hippos and the rare okapi antelope.

"More people in Virunga would likely lead to an increase in deforestation, illegal hunting and more snares in the forest," Greer says. "At least seven Virunga mountain gorillas have been caught in snares this year and two did not survive. The gorilla population remains fragile and could easily slip into decline if conservation management was to be disregarded in the pursuit of oil money by elites."

Mountain gorillas live in social groups and the census results indicate that the 400 mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park form 36 distinct social groups and 16 solitary males. Ten of these social groups are habituated to human presence for either tourism or research.

The Bwindi mountain gorilla census was conducted by the Uganda Wildlife Authority with support from l'Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature and the Rwanda Development Board. The census was also supported by the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (a coalition of the African Wildlife Foundation, Fauna & Flora International, and WWF), the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Conservation Through Public Health, the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, the Institute for Tropical Forest Conservation, and the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International.

This census was funded by WWF-Sweden with supplemental support from Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe e.V., the Wildlife Conservation Society, and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology.

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For additional information:
Alona Rivord, +41 79 959 1963, arivord@wwfint.org

WWF deeply saddened by death of Virunga park protectors

2012-10-26

WWF is saddened to hear about the violent deaths of more people, who died while protecting one of the world's most precious nature reserves.

The conservation group expresses concern that oil exploration in this fragile region such as the one planned by London-based oil company SOCO, would only contribute to further destabilisation of the area.

Some 150 Virunga rangers have died in the line of duty since 1990.

"WWF is deeply saddened to hear that more park protectors are coming under violent attack," said Lasse Gustavsson, Conservation Director of WWF International.

Early this morning in Mwiga Bay, an area just west of the fishing settlement of Vitshumbi on Lake Edward, a ranger patrol was ambushed by Mai-Mai PARECO rebels.

Two park staff plus one government soldier were killed instantly. Three other government soldiers were seriously wounded - one critically.

After the gunfire died down, five of the attackers were found dead and two wounded rebels were captured and taken to a nearby hospital. Attacks such as these have been on the rise since the recent conflict erupted, but none have been so deadly.

"We are concerned that increased oil exploration activities like those carried out by SOCO will just deepen the crisis in this fragile region," Gustavsson said.

Despite a commitment to honest and ethical business and in face of widespread opposition, including from the UK government, SOCO refuses to abandon its exploration plans in Virunga, a World Heritage and Ramsar site.

One of the world's most precious nature reserves, Virunga is home to critically endangered mountain gorillas but its area also encompasses mountains, glaciers and hundreds of species of mammals, some of which are found nowhere else on our planet.

In addition, it is a critical source of local livelihoods. Thirty thousand people depend on a nearby lake, Lake Edward, for their fish, a sustainable use of natural resources that produces as much as US$ 20 million per year of fish. Under SOCO plans, the lake will become a drilling site.

WWF encourages interested parties to donate to the park in order to improve the security of the rangers and help the widows and families of those who lost their lives protecting this fragile park.

http://gorillacd.org/2012/09/11/help-keep-our-rangers-protecting-virunga/

WWF Urges Oil Company SOCO To Abandon Exploration Plans In Congo National Park

2012-10-18

Why is the profit of a small oil exploration company taking precedence over the safety of thousands of people and the survival of species found nowhere else on earth, WWF asked SOCO in an open letter published today.

Despite a commitment to honest and ethical business and in face of widespread opposition, including from the UK government, SOCO refuses to abandon its exploration plans in Virunga, a World Heritage and Ramsar site.

One of the world's most precious nature reserves, Virunga is home to critically endangered mountain gorillas but its area also encompasses mountains, glaciers and hundreds of species of mammals, some of which are found nowhere else on our planet.

In addition, it is a critical source of local livelihoods. Thirty thousand people depend on a nearby lake, Lake Edward, for their fish, a sustainable use of natural resources that produces as much as US$ 20 million per year of fish. Under SOCO plans, the lake will become a drilling site.

"The preliminary effort (of the oil exploration) seeks to prove that the oil in the ground is worth more than the economic security and safety of 30,000 people and endangered species who depend on this park for their survival," Lasse Gustavsson, Director of Conservation at WWF International wrote in the letter.

"Your company repeatedly stated a commitment to conducting its business in an honest and ethical manner. Please show your leadership and commitment to sustainable development and strong community growth," the letter said.

The letter is addressed to Roger Cagle, Executive Vice President, Deputy CEO of SOCO International. The London-based oil company is currently engaging in the preliminary phases of oil exploration in Virunga National Park,.

"We would like to remind you and your colleagues at SOCO that oil and mining development is prohibited in World Heritage sites, under the World Heritage Convention. The DRC Government is party to the World Heritage Convention and has included the convention in its national constitution," Gustavsson wrote.

"We ask SOCO to choose to do the right thing now by committing to stay out of Virunga National Park," he said.

It is currently against Congolese law to prospect or exploit minerals inside the country's national parks.

SOCO's plans are also being opposed by the United Kingdom government.

Virunga's Block 5, which is 85% owned by FTSE-listed SOCO, is part of the Albertine Graben, an area that has also attracted French oil giant Total.

Experts say tourism in Virunga has the potential to generate direct and indirect revenues over US$ 10 million per year. Oil exploitation, however, would likely lead to direct exportation as crude oil through Uganda, with very limited revenues or jobs for the local economy.

France urged to champion Virunga at Francophonie Summit

2012-10-12

Leaders of French speaking nations are gathering Oct 12-14 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for a high-level meeting of the International Organization of the Francophonie. At least 20 heads of state are expected at the summit to discuss economic interests and other issues.

Host country President Joseph Kabila is expected to present DRC's oil reserves as an investment opportunity to potential investors. Authorization for oil exploration in DRC's Virunga National Park, a World Heritage Site, has been widely condemned by conservationists and UNESCO.

President François Hollande of France will be in attendance at the Kinshasa meeting. French oil giant Total is currently operating in a concession that overlaps with Virunga National Park.

UNESCO has said that oil development is incompatible with World Heritage status. Large portions of the park now risk being de-gazetted by the DRC government so that drilling can proceed.

WWF-France has sent a strong message on Virunga to the French government delegation. Although Total has said it does not intend to drill for oil within Virunga National Park, it has refused to assure the global community that it will respect the park's existing boundaries regardless of future de-gazettement.

WWF is asking Hollande to reinforce to Kabila and Total the value of keeping Virunga intact and free from oil extraction.

WWF calls on SOCO to get out of Virunga National Park

2012-10-03

Gland, Switzerland – WWF is calling for SOCO International, a UK based oil and gas exploration company, to immediately halt its plans to explore for oil in Virunga National Park.

"SOCO must stop its plans to drill in Africa's first ever World Heritage Site or it could lead to a catastrophic impact on local livelihoods and the environment. Virunga is too important and too vulnerable to be put at risk by the oil industry," said Lasse Gustavsson, Executive Director of Conservation for WWF.

"We have learned the hard way in the Gulf of Mexico about the environmental and financial costs of oil exploration in sensitive areas", continued Gustavsson.

SOCO has announced plans to explore for oil in and around Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Virunga is the first national park established on the continent and is home to one of only two populations of mountain gorillas in the world. Additionally, SOCO has said its exploration activities will include a portion of Lake Edward, where 30,000 local fishermen make their livelihoods.

Recently the British Government joined a growing list of NGOs and civil society groups calling on SOCO to stop the illegal exploitation of resources and respect the rule of law. With the British foreign office stating that "the UK opposes oil exploration within Virunga National Park, a World Heritage Site listed by UNESCO as being 'in danger.' We have informed SOCO and urge the government of DR Congo to fully respect the international conventions to which it is a signatory."

Congolese law prohibits any extractive industries within its national parks and oil exploration within Virunga National Park could constitute a violation of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. As a member of the OECD, the United Kingdom has made a binding commitment to implement OECD guidelines, which apply to all global operations of UK-based enterprises.

"Many people in the area have incomes and live thanks to the fish from Lake Edward and we fear that petrol will bring pollution and more conflict in our region," said community leader Bantu Lukambo during a June protest against SOCO's relentless push into the park.

Community activists opposing SOCO's activities in Virunga National Park have reported receiving death threats; the company has denied any involvement.

"As the DRC continues to suffer from war and strife, WWF firmly believes that SOCOS's exploitation of its resources will only fuel conflict while also jeopardising the lives of rangers as well as the livelihoods of the communities that prosper off the sustainable use of the park," says Mr. Gustavsson.

The areas of Virunga National Park allocated as oil concessions cover around 85 per cent of its land, and the habitats of endangered chimpanzees, hippos, and forest elephants. The park is also home to a quarter of the world's critically endangered mountain gorillas, of which only 786 individuals remain. The gorillas are a major source of eco-tourism income in the region.

UK tells oil company to keep out of Virunga World Heritage Site

2012-09-28

Plans by London-based oil company SOCO International to explore in Democratic Republic of the Congo's Virunga National Park are being opposed by the United Kingdom government. The British foreign office said this week that "the UK opposes oil exploration within Virunga National Park, a World Heritage Site listed by UNESCO as being 'in danger'. We have informed SOCO and urge the government of DR Congo to fully respect the international conventions to which it is a signatory."

"We remain committed to supporting UK companies in DRC and throughout the world. Foreign investment in sectors such as hydrocarbons and the extractive industries can play a vital role in boosting the development of DRC, lifting people out of poverty. Such investment needs to be done responsibly and sustainably, in compliance with local law and conforming to international standards," the statement said.

The response follows a statement by DRC's Minister of Hydrocarbon, Crispin Atama Tabe, saying, "The DRC has the right to know what resources it has under the earth, even if it's in the park or the forest, anywhere."

It is currently against Congolese law to prospect or exploit minerals inside the country's national parks, but Atama Tabe said the legislation could be reviewed.

"We're going to evaluate the quantity of the deposit [in Virunga National Park]. If it's very significant we'll compare the value of the park with the oil... We'll see whether we'll respect the park or not. It's up to us," he said, adding that drilling could take up to three years to begin.

Virunga's Block 5, which is 85% owned by FTSE-listed SOCO International, is part of the Albertine Graben, an area that has already attracted French oil giant Total.

"WWF-UK welcomes the statement by the British government opposing SOCO International's exploration for oil in Virunga National Park. Virunga National Park is the jewel in the crown of Africa's national parks and the home of the iconic mountain gorilla," said Dr Susanne Schmitt, Green Heart of Africa Programme Manager of WWF-UK. "No oil or mining development is allowed under the World Heritage Convention. The DRC government must respect this convention, which is enshrined in its national laws."

Not only is Virunga uniquely rich in wildlife, but it is also an important source of local livelihoods. Thirty thousand nearby residents depend on the fish stocks of Lake Edward for their income, but the lake is expected to be a drilling site.

Members of community civil society organizations meeting this week have also expressed their alarm. "We are very concerned about the potential negative impact of oil development on our Lake Edward. We are depending on fish and the fresh water that this lake gives us. We are depending on the unique ecosystem of the lake. Oil development can lead to pollution, which would destroy its productivity," they said.

Fishing by local communities in Lake Edward is a sustainable use of natural resources that produces up to USD 20,000,000 a year worth of fish. Similarly, tourism in this iconic place has the potential to generate direct and indirect revenues over USD 10,000,000 per year. Oil exploitation, however, would likely lead to direct exportation as crude oil through Uganda, with very limited revenues or jobs for the local economy.

World Heritage Sites cover less than one per cent of the Earth's surface and are selected for their outstanding cultural or natural value. WWF believes that they should be afforded the highest level of protection by governments. World Heritage Sites, like Virunga National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro and the Grand Canyon, should remain off limits for oil companies.

Gorillas still under severe security threat

2012-09-10

The continuous fighting between the Congolese army and various rebel groups in Democratic Republic of the Congo's Virunga National Park is putting the park in yet another difficult situation. Rare mountain gorillas live in the heart of the conflict zone where the new rebel group M23 fights the Congolese army. In the midst of this, park rangers, who have been supported by WWF for many years, continue their courageous patrols to locate and touch base with the gorilla families. The gorillas are likely under severe stress and there is high risk of them getting trapped and severely wounded in the crossfire. As many as 15 of Virunga's mountain gorillas may have been killed since the outbreak of civil war in 1996.

In this fragile and insecure context, the UK-based oil company SOCO is still moving ahead with its plans to look for oil in the Virunga National Park, a World Heritage Site. Leader of WWF's Green Heart of Africa Global Initiative Marc Languy says, "We know that SOCO has put all its activities around Lake Edward on hold because of the recent fighting. But this doesn't mean it has changed its plans to start exploration. In fact, SOCO now own 85% of the concession after recently buying the shares of Ophir Energy, another UK-based oil company." In an extremely poor region with a government still is not able to manage the potentials profits from the countries resources, the oil rush led by European companies will have a strong destabilizing effect on the park and neighboring communities.

Not only are the mountain gorillas under threat, but hippo families are being killed by militia groups, with their meat sold in return for weapons. The hippo population in Virunga used to be the largest single population in the world with an estimated 27,000 in Lake Edward in the 1970s. They make up a critical component of the ecological system. In 2003, however only 350 were left. Thanks to conservation efforts of park authorities and WWF, hippo numbers have increased to 1,200 today. The recent violence again puts this protected species under sever threat.

Armed militias present in Virunga National Park and the whole of eastern DRC profit from the easy access to natural resources such as coltan, gold, and, if the oil companies continue their exploration in the future, perhaps the new black gold --crude oil. This makes the park a very dangerous place to be for the animals and people living in it and for those who rely on its unique ecosystems for their livelihoods. After a couple of years of relative stability in the park with steady growth in ecotourism and its associated economic benefits to the state and local communities, the current conflict is a huge morale set-back for all people protecting and depending on the park.

Governments and oil companies slammed over Virunga exploration

2012-06-27

Saint Petersburg: The committee overseeing World Heritage Sites yesterday cautioned that petroleum exploration in Virunga National Park could cause serious harm and should be halted.

WWF, the Wildlife Conservation Society, Fauna & Flora International, the Frankfurt Zoological Society and the Lukuru Foundation welcome this strong position and urge the DRC government and oil companies to act on it.

Expressing its concern over recent actions by petroleum companies, the World Heritage Committee reiterated its position that oil development is incompatible with World Heritage status. In the Committee's decisions, passed at its annual meeting, the committee also called on the Democratic Republic of the Congo to revoke permits granted to exploration companies.

Great news for #Virunga, #UNESCO World Heritage Committee slams governments and oil companies over oil development! bit.ly/LrFPRb
— Wendy Elliott (@Wendy__Elliott) June 27, 2012

British oil company SOCO International, which has already begun activities in Virunga, was criticized in the State of Conservation report on Virunga as being "hostile to the park". The committee said SOCO's permits did not conform to Democratic Republic of the Congo's international commitments.

SOCO has announced plans to begin aerial surveys to map oil deposits, and reportedly landed a helicopter in the park earlier this month. Questions over authorization for the landing allegedly led to an altercation between Congolese navy sailors, acting as security for SOCO, and Virunga park rangers. The incident resulted in the bayonet stabbing of a ranger, according to witnesses.

Residents have expressed concern over the possibility that pollution from SOCO exploration in Lake Edward could contaminate fishing waters where 30,000 residents make their livelihoods.

Total, the other oil company with a concession in the park and SOCO were admonished by the committee for not joining other industry leaders in pledging to remain out of all World Heritage Sites. The Committee also called on the countries where the companies are headquartered to "to ensure that petroleum and mining companies in their territory cause no damage the World Heritage properties."

Virunga National Park was declared a World Heritage Site in 1979. It is recognized for its unique landscapes and rare animals, including critically endangered mountain gorillas.

Please see the joint NGO Position Paper on Virunga addressing the World Heritage Committee and the State Parties.

WWF cautions SOCO investors over Virunga exploration

2012-06-12

WWF today has issued a warning to SOCO International investors, many of whom are based in the UK, that the company's exploration plans in Virunga National Park could have catastrophic impacts on local livelihoods and the environment. The FTSE 250-listed oil exploration giant will hold its Annual General Meeting tomorrow in London.

SOCO has recently announced plans to explore for oil in and around Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of the Congo, a World Heritage Site and home to the world-famous mountain gorillas. SOCO says its exploration activities will include a portion Lake Edward, where 30,000 local fishermen make their livelihoods.

"The United Nations has recognized that Virunga National Park is like no other place in the world and that oil exploration is incompatible with World Heritage status," said Marc Languy, Leader of WWF's Green Heart of Africa Initiative. "Responsible investors will have the opportunity tomorrow to tell SOCO that exploration in Virunga - or indeed any World Heritage Site - is inappropriate and should be abandoned."

UNESCO, the agency responsible for the World Heritage Convention, has expressed repeated concerns over oil exploration in Virunga National Park and will be discussing the threat with governments at the World Heritage Committee's annual meeting later this month.

Drew McVey, species programme manager at WWF-UK, said: "British businesses should be held accountable by the government for upholding their social and environmental responsibilities when operating both at home and abroad."

Oil exploration within Virunga National Park could constitute a violation of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, a set of recommendations governing responsible business conduct. As member of the OECD, the United Kingdom has made a binding commitment to implement OECD guidelines, which apply to all global operations of UK-based enterprises.

By entering Virunga National Park, SOCO could be found in breach of the OECD guidelines' Concepts and Principles or Environment provisions as outlined in chapters 1 and 6.

The areas of Virunga National Park allocated as oil concessions cover around 85 per cent of its land, and the habitats of endangered chimpanzees, hippos, and forest elephants. The park is also home to a quarter of the world's critically endangered mountain gorillas, of which only 786 individuals remain. The gorillas are a major source of eco-tourism income in the region.

"This petrol exploration has been imposed on us without any former consultation," community leader Bantu Lukambo said during a protest in the neighbouring town of Vitshumbi. "Many people in the area have incomes and live thanks the fish from Lake Edward and we fear that petrol will bring pollution and more conflict in our region."

Community activists opposing SOCO's activities in Virunga National Park have recently reported receiving death threats. The company has denied any involvement.

SOCO is operating in Block V of Virunga National Park along with partner Ophir Energy, another FTSE-250 company. The second concession holder is Total of France, operating in Block III in partnership with South African company SacOil.

WWF to Total: Virunga "is in your hands"

2012-05-13

WWF has called on French oil company Total to refrain from exploration in Virunga National Park. At a meeting of Total shareholders and investors Friday, WWF hosted a demonstration and published an open letter to the company president.

Total has been granted an oil concession that includes a portion of the World Heritage Site, which is recognized as a treasure of biodiversity. WWF is asking Total to declare Virunga and all World Heritage Sites off limits for oil development.

WWF is concerned that oil exploration could have negative impacts on communities that depend on the park for their livelihoods and on endangered species that live in the park, such as mountain gorillas.

To illustrate to Total investors the threat oil development could have on mountain gorillas, volunteers marked off a symbolic crime scene at the company's annual meeting and launched an online petition.

Open letter: Mr. de Margerie, the future of the oldest African national park is in your hands

To the attention of Mr. Christophe de Margerie,
President and CEO of Total

Dear Sir,

Virunga National Park, located eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, was the first national park to be created on the African continent over 85 years ago.

With its exceptional ecosystems, it also is especially known for hosting over 200 species of mammals including the rare okapi, protected since 1933, but also the mountain and lowland gorillas, two sub-species in critical danger of extinction.

It is thanks to this unique ecological value than Virunga National Park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979.

For WWF and its members, the preservation of Virunga National Park is of paramount importance as it is written into the history and identity of our international network which was created in 1961.

This irreplaceable jewel is now under threat.

Sir, you are aware that one of the oil concessions that overlaps the park area is in the hands of Total.
Therefore, we take the opportunity of this annual general meeting to publicly alert you and your shareholders on the dangers posed by your company to the Virunga park and its treasures.

We cannot believe that an industrial group like yours, which upholds the value of sustainable development, can be insensitive to the risks that oil exploration would pose to this area.

That is why WWF asks you to state publicly that the current boundaries of the Virunga park and all the World Heritage Sites are a "no go" for your company.

Yours and our planet,

Isabelle Autissier, President of WWF-France

Serge Orru, Director General of WWF-France

WWF mourns Virunga ranger death

2012-05-11

May 11, 2012 – A ranger and two Congolese soldiers protecting evacuating civilians in Virunga National Park have been gunned down in an ambush, park officials say. The men came under machine gun fire by a group of 100 unidentified militia members while attempting to secure an important transit route.

"We are deeply saddened by the deaths of these men who have served their community so honourably," said Natasha Kofoworola Quist, WWF-Central Africa Regional Programme Office Representative. "We owe them and their families a debt of gratitude for their courage and sacrifice."

Ranger Paris Paluku leaves behind a wife and two children. "Paris will be remembered as one of the most courageous men to have worked in the park," Chief Warden Emmanuel de Merode said. "He was always at the head of any patrol, which put him at risk and ultimately cost him his life."

Over 150 Virunga rangers have died in the line of duty since 1990.

Virunga National Park, located on Democratic Republic of the Congo's border with Rwanda and Uganda, has been infiltrated by four distinct militia groups in recent weeks, according to de Merode. Local residents are said to be fleeing the area to avoid violence in "a large scale population displacement," he said. The park is currently closed to tourists due the ongoing instability.

Earlier this week a militia group entered an area of park that is home to approximately 200 critically endangered mountain gorillas. Currently, the gorillas are not believed to be at risk.

"The situation remains volatile and must be contained so that insecurity does not spread into bordering communities or wildlife habitats," said Raymond Lumbuenamo, Country Director of WWF-Democratic Republic of the Congo.

A patrol of Congolese and Rwandan rangers who were on a mission to remove poachers' snares from critical mountain gorilla habitat were forced to flee into Rwanda at the outbreak of unrest. The men are now on their way to safety, according to WWF's partner organization Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration.

At least 23 of Virunga National Park's mountain gorillas have been killed since the outbreak of armed conflict in the region in 1990. In February, a mountain gorilla was found dead after being caught in an illegal snare intended for antelope.

There are only an estimated 786 mountain gorillas remaining across Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. WWF works in Virunga National Park to conserve forests, freshwater and species and to help communities better manage natural resources through our Virunga Environmental Programme and the International Gorilla Conservation Programme.

Virunga activists receive death threats

2012-04-24

WWF has learned that two community activists opposing planned oil development in and near Democratic Republic of the Congo's Virunga National Park have received threatening telephone calls. The men both report having been called by unidentified individuals who told them, "If you continue your advocacy against SOCO, you will die."

SOCO, a British oil company, recently announced plans to begin exploratory activities in and around Virunga National Park, which is a World Heritage Site and home to endangered species. SOCO has denied any involvement in the harassing phone calls.

WWF joins local human rights group African Association for the Defence of Human Rights (ASADHO) in expressing concern over the threats. ASADHO has called on the attorney general at the Court of Appeals in the city of Goma to investigate the incident and to take measures to safeguard activists.

The victims of the threats are members of organizations involved in educating community members about the environmental and social impacts of oil development. Tens of thousands of residents depend on fishing in Virunga National Park's Lake Edward, which is slated for oil exploration.

WWF is concerned for the personal security of those working to protect community resources around Virunga and urges authorities to guarantee their safety.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OIL EXPLORATION IN VIRUNGA

Virunga communities concerned about oil development

2012-04-02

Residents living near Democratic Republic of the Congo's Virunga National Park last week expressed their renewed concern over the prospect of oil exploration in the area. Many community members rely on fishing in the park's biggest lake for their food and income, but parts of the lake have been granted to European oil companies for possible development.

Civil society leaders issued a communiqué opposing any oil exploration within the boundaries of the national park and requesting participation in decisions over developments outside the park. Residents are particularly troubled by the possibility of water pollution in the lake harming fish, and other pollution tainting their drinking water or damaging their crops.

Community members called on the country's government to respect international commitments that prohibit environmentally damaging activities in protected areas. Virunga National Park is a World Heritage Site and UNESCO holds that oil exploration is incompatible with the spirit of the World Heritage Convention.

Residents also requested that oil companies respect international environmental standards and take into consideration the needs of local communities. They are asking that a comprehensive environmental and social impact study be conducted with their involvement before activities move ahead.

The Congolese government suspended all oil exploration activities within Virunga National Park last year, but residents say oil company workers are continuing with their preparations in the area. Community members have previously expressed their support for the suspension at a public rally.

Africa's prized park needs protection from oil threat

2012-03-30

Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is Africa's oldest and most biodiverse national park and a World Heritage Site. Almost half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas live inside the park, along with numerous birds, reptiles and mammals found nowhere else on Earth. But its under threat from British company looking for oil.

Marc Languy is WWF's Green Heart of Africa Initiative Leader and has sent in this update:

"Over the past two weeks, WWF has received alarming reports from our conservation partners working in Virunga National Park, that British oil company SOCO International is making preparations for oil exploration within park boundaries.

Virunga is an "integral reserve" under DRC national law and its World Heritage Status clearly forbids any type of industrial exploration within the Park. The company does have authorisation to explore for oil outside Virunga National Park and above it by aerial surveys. But if SOCO confirms its repeated intention to explore for oil on the ground within the park the company will be breaching national laws and international conventions.

WWF has been working in Virunga National Park for over 40 years together with the Congolese government and many other conservation organizations dedicated to preserving the area's unique natural treasures. Shockingly, in that time, more than 100 Virunga rangers have given their lives in the fight to protect this jewel of Africa from those who wish to destroy it.

Having survived years of armed conflict, it is devastating to see an oil company jeopardise the park's people and wildlife in its pursuit of profit. It's not only because of the drilling and pollution that oil exploration will damage the park – the associated influx of people brings a risk of renewed conflict that could have a devastating impact on the lives of local community members, and on the park's endangered species.

European governments have a responsibility to ensure that companies headquartered in their territories respect international conventions and national laws, including when operating overseas. So we're asking companies and their shareholders and investors to join us in declaring World Heritage Sites off limits for oil exploration.

There are very few extraordinary places of biodiversity and beauty remaining on Earth where nature provides so many benefits to mankind. Virunga National Park is one of them and it should remain untarnished for future generations."

Residents rally against Virunga oil exploration

2011-05-24

A group of Congolese citizens have held a march in support of the government's decision to halt oil development in Virunga National Park. The supporters praised the Environment Ministry of Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for suspending oil exploration activities being conducted by SOCO, a London-based oil and gas multinational.

The march and rally was held in the fishing village of Vitshumbi, located within Virunga National Park. Residents voiced their desire to be more involved in decisions about development in the park and called on the government to respect local laws and international environmental commitments. According to Congolese regulations it is illegal to explore for oil within the country's national parks.

A large portion of Vitshumbi's population depends on fishing in Lake Edward, which is partially within the park and where a major part of the petroleum concession lies.

"This petrol exploration has been imposed on us without any former consultation," says Bantu Lukambo, president of the local organization Innovation for Development and Environmental Protection. "Many people in the area have incomes and live thanks the fish from Lake Edward and we fear that petrol will bring pollution and more conflict in our region."

Marchers encouraged the government to consider both the short and long term consequences of oil development and urged the rejection of a proposal by the minister of hydrocarbons that would allow SOCO's exploration to go forward.

Virunga National Park is a World Heritage Site and home to endangered mountain gorillas. The DRC government has suspended SOCO's development pending a comprehensive strategic environmental assessment.

WWF also commends the Environment Ministry's decision to conduct a full strategic environmental assessment, and to suspend all oil exploration whilst this important assessment is underway. WWF calls on all oil companies to respect the DRC government's decision, and leave the area until the assessment is complete. The organization's hopes for a rigorous assessment process that engages the participation of a broad scope of stakeholders, including members of the communities located in and around the park.

WWF welcomes DRC government decision to suspend oil exploration in world heritage site Virunga

2011-03-18

Gland, Switzerland – WWF welcomed the decision of the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo to withdraw the permission to drill for oil in Africa's oldest park, Virunga.

The environment ministry of DRC issued a statement today declaring they would suspend any activities related to oil exploration on Virunga until it thoroughly assesses the potential impact of such a project.

Minister José E.B Endundo said he would not allow the UK based company SOCO and Dominion to carry out any works within the park for now and said his government would initiate a thorough and transparent Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to decide whether such a project could be considered in one of the world's most precious and fragile nature parks.

"The Environment Ministry did the right thing, and what we hope to see next is a firm declaration guaranteeing there would be no exploration in this iconic and fragile park now or in the future," said Natalia Reiter, a spokesperson for WWF International.

"It is outrageous to see the narrow interests of oil companies taking priority over the need to maintain one of the most precious places on this planet."

"Allowing oil exploration in this iconic park would set an extremely dangerous precedent that even the most precious places on earth are open for oil and gas development."

According to WWF Smart and well-planned economic development will help the country and its people. Illegal, poorly managed, non-transparent efforts will only aggrevate conflicts and undermine park management and wellbeing of local communities.

Virunga National Park is Africa's first National Park, a World Heritage Site, and also one of DRC's first Wetlands of International Importance designated under the Ramsar Convention in 1996, and is renowned for its extremely high biodiversity - including the world famous mountain gorillas, as well as important populations of elephant, chimpanzee, hippo etc. However there are now plans to explore and drill for oil throughout much of the park.

Company maps seen indicate SOCO, a UK-listed company intends drilling works throughout the park. But the initial Environmental Impact Assesment (EIA) has been rejected by the ministry which in the statement issued today labelled it "premature and superficial".

WWF calls on the Congolese government to guarantee there would be no oil exploration in the park and asks the UK-listed company to respect the law and abandon the harmful exploration plans.

Wildlife workers mourn deaths of Virunga National Park protectors

2011-01-29

WWF is mourning the deaths of three Virunga National Park rangers and five Democratic Republic of Congo soldiers who were working with them last week, after a rocket propelled grenade attack on their vehicle near Mabenga.

Three others were critically injured in the ambush attack, which occurred during an early morning patrol aimed at securing a road through the park, famed as the leading remaining refuge of the critically endangered mountain gorilla. The attackers are believed to have been FDLR Rwandan militia, an illegal movement believed to include perpetrators of the Rwandan genocide of 1994.

Park rangers and regular army units have been working together to secure the area within the national park known to be heavily frequented by FDLR militia and had recently destroyed two FDLR camps that were also centres for the illegal and destructive charcoal trade.

"The events of this week have left us all deeply saddened," wrote Virunga Park Director Emmanuel de Merode on the park's website this week. "Virunga National Park has suffered more service deaths amongst its rangers than any protected area on earth.

" Despite this sobering fact, Virunga's dedicated rangers still get up every morning ready to risk everything to protect the mountain gorillas and other beautiful flora and fauna of the park. And, during the long civil war, many rangers did so for little or no pay."

A fund has been set up to help support the widows and children of rangers killed protecting the park.

"Although one might think a ranger's biggest fear is death, what most rangers fear most is that their widows and orphaned children will be abandoned and left destitute in a society that cannot care for them," wrote de Merode.

"This ever-present fear has a profound impact on ranger morale and exacts a terrible burden on their families as well. With over 140 rangers having now been killed in the line of duty since 1996, we must find a way to care for those left behind."

The Virunga Widows' Fund can be found at www.gorilla.cd

WWF is a long term supporter of the management of the park through the Congolese Wildlife Authority (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature, ICCN).