A Ranger’s Journey into Gorilla Conservation
Joining Virunga as a ranger in 2011, Jacques experienced a life-changing moment the following year when he encountered a gorilla for the first time. This profound meeting ignited a passion that has driven his career for over a decade.
Today, Jacques coordinates daily forest patrols, oversees the processing of critical gorilla health and movement data, and works closely with community trackers who monitor gorilla groups at close range. Between 2018 and 2020, under his leadership, the team successfully habituated two gorilla families – Wilungula and Baraka – bringing over 60 individuals into closer and more consistent protection.
Expertise Spanning Science and Fieldwork
Armed with a degree in Environmental Science and Nature Conservation, Jacques has contributed to continent-wide gorilla censuses across the Virunga Massif and Bwindi–Sarambwe regions. His work extends beyond mountain gorillas to include supporting the reintroduction of Grauer’s gorillas at Mount Tshabirimu and modelling the impacts of disease across Virunga’s delicate ecosystems.
The Human Side of Gorilla Protection
While science and field expertise are essential, Jacques understands that conservation also depends on people. Rangers and trackers in protected areas like Virunga are the frontline defenders of global biodiversity. Their responsibilities range from habitat protection and wildlife monitoring to managing human–wildlife conflict and building trust with local communities.
This work often comes with extreme physical danger, emotional strain, and scarce resources – yet Jacques and his team face these challenges daily, driven by an unshakable commitment to safeguarding wildlife.
Virunga at 100: Continuing the Legacy
As Virunga National Park marks its 100th anniversary, Jacques and his team continue to patrol the dense, rugged forests of the region. They work in rain, across treacherous terrain, and amid ongoing conflict to count gorilla nests, assess health, identify individuals through unique nasal prints, and track every change in behaviour.
Their endurance ensures that gorilla families do more than survive – they thrive. And in doing so, their survival stories become an enduring part of Virunga’s living legacy.
