Virunga National Park’s Battle Against Ebola and Violence

Virunga National Park, located in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is a sanctuary for a significant number of mountain gorillas, housing about one-third of the global population. Rangers in the park are taking measures to protect the gorillas from Ebola, a virus to which they are highly vulnerable. Checkpoints for screening visitors have been set up as part of these protective efforts.

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In the midst of this, Emmanuel de Merode, the park’s director, admires the park’s serene beauty. He describes evenings when elephants cross the river and hippos gather in pods. The park spans around two million acres, marked by the Mitumba Mountains and the glacier-topped Rwenzori Mountains near the equator. Despite its beauty, the park is plagued by violence and an Ebola outbreak.

De Merode and over 800 park rangers face formidable challenges. Limited resources make their task challenging as they contend with rebel violence and Ebola. Due to recent events, the current situation is particularly dire, with a lack of vaccines, decreased international aid, and ongoing armed conflict.

The team is actively constructing Ebola screening posts to address these threats. Rangers aim to protect the gorillas and help contain the virus within the country. De Merode highlighted these efforts during a conversation with NPR.

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Virunga National Park extends over 180 miles along the border with Uganda, within the Ebola-impacted zone. Screening posts play a crucial role, acting as checkpoints for travelers and helping to trace and contain the virus spread, particularly towards East Africa.

The park is investing in building five screening posts, each costing $44,000. These facilities involve complex constructions equipped with diagnosis rooms, internet connections, analysis centers, and robust isolation centers. The setup includes provisions for paramedic staff and security against militia attacks. Maintaining these facilities will be necessary for the duration of the outbreak.

A significant reduction in foreign aid has exacerbated the situation in the DRC. The U.S. aid in 2024 was $1.4 billion, dropping to just over $400 million in 2025. The result has been inadequate preparedness, with limited resources available to handle the epidemic. Many local health workers have succumbed to the virus due to insufficient support.

Virunga’s initiatives include purchasing essential supplies such as body bags and thermometers. The park has been providing vehicles to assist health services in their response. The threat of this Ebola epidemic becoming a broader international issue looms if the international community does not act.

Violence in Eastern DRC is worsening, affecting the park’s operations. Recent attacks have claimed ranger lives and injured several others. De Merode acknowledges the possible link between the chaos and the Ebola outbreak, adding to the formidable challenges his team faces.

Virunga National Park is renowned for its gorilla population. In 1985, only 350 mountain gorillas existed. Now, there are more than 1,200, with a significant portion residing in Virunga. However, gorillas are highly susceptible to Ebola, which has historically decimated populations.

To safeguard the gorillas, the park has taken strict measures. Tourism has been halted to limit human contact. With 200 rangers dedicated to guarding the gorillas, efforts are underway to prevent poaching and potential exposure to Ebola. Earlier success in managing the gorilla population amid an Ebola outbreak provides hope for the current situation.