Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KIGALI452
2009-07-23 13:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kigali
Cable title:
FIRES CONTAINED IN VOLCANOES PARK, GORILLAS NOT
how-toP 231323Z JUL 09 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY KIGALI TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6194 INFO AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS PRIORITY AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA PRIORITY AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM PRIORITY AMEMBASSY KAMPALA PRIORITY AMEMBASSY KINSHASA PRIORITY AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY AMEMBASSY NAIROBI PRIORITY AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY
UNCLAS KIGALI 000452
DEPT FOR OES
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EAID ECON RW
SUBJECT: FIRES CONTAINED IN VOLCANOES PARK, GORILLAS NOT
AFFECTED
UNCLAS KIGALI 000452
DEPT FOR OES
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EAID ECON RW
SUBJECT: FIRES CONTAINED IN VOLCANOES PARK, GORILLAS NOT
AFFECTED
1. (U) Summary: Wildfires on the edge of the Volcanoes
National Park, home to the silverback mountain gorillas, have
been contained. The extent of damage to the park is being
assessed, but according to Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
International (DFGFI),the fires did not significantly impact
the Gorillas habitat, nor has there been other loss of life.
Offered Africom assistance was not needed. End summary.
2. (U) Wildfires broke out in the Volcanoes National Park in
northern Rwanda on July 18. Local government officials
reported the fires to be under control as of July 21. The
fires began on the eastern edges of the park, allegedly
started by bee farmers using traditional methods to smoke out
beehives to harvest honey. District Mayor Samuel Sembagari
told reporters that this was the largest wildfire in the park
since 1978.
3. (U) Katie Fawcett, Director of DFGFI Karisoke Research
Center, confirmed to econoff July 23 that the fires did not
affect the silverback gorillas, which are mainly located in
the central and western areas of the park. According to
Fawcett, the eastern edge of the park is primarily a
"grassland ecosystem not really used by the gorillas either
in Rwanda or Uganda." Fawcett added that park has been
unusually dry this year and that the extent of damage to
plant species in the affected area was unclear.
4. (U) The Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF) declined the offer of
air assets by Africom to help control the fires. RDF General
Gatsinzi, tasked with fighting the fires, initially requested
assistance from Africom, but canceled the request on Tuesday
afternoon, July 21, saying the "fires were contained."
CASPER
DEPT FOR OES
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EAID ECON RW
SUBJECT: FIRES CONTAINED IN VOLCANOES PARK, GORILLAS NOT
AFFECTED
1. (U) Summary: Wildfires on the edge of the Volcanoes
National Park, home to the silverback mountain gorillas, have
been contained. The extent of damage to the park is being
assessed, but according to Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
International (DFGFI),the fires did not significantly impact
the Gorillas habitat, nor has there been other loss of life.
Offered Africom assistance was not needed. End summary.
2. (U) Wildfires broke out in the Volcanoes National Park in
northern Rwanda on July 18. Local government officials
reported the fires to be under control as of July 21. The
fires began on the eastern edges of the park, allegedly
started by bee farmers using traditional methods to smoke out
beehives to harvest honey. District Mayor Samuel Sembagari
told reporters that this was the largest wildfire in the park
since 1978.
3. (U) Katie Fawcett, Director of DFGFI Karisoke Research
Center, confirmed to econoff July 23 that the fires did not
affect the silverback gorillas, which are mainly located in
the central and western areas of the park. According to
Fawcett, the eastern edge of the park is primarily a
"grassland ecosystem not really used by the gorillas either
in Rwanda or Uganda." Fawcett added that park has been
unusually dry this year and that the extent of damage to
plant species in the affected area was unclear.
4. (U) The Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF) declined the offer of
air assets by Africom to help control the fires. RDF General
Gatsinzi, tasked with fighting the fires, initially requested
assistance from Africom, but canceled the request on Tuesday
afternoon, July 21, saying the "fires were contained."
CASPER