World-famous endangered gorilla Rafiki is speared to death by vile hunters https://t.co/ujsWSSd0GN pic.twitter.com/jC5kaTFOsi
— Daily Mirror (@DailyMirror) June 12, 2020
After an investigation was conducted, it was found that Rafiki was killed by a sharp object that damaged his internal organs. A search was launched after Rafiki was reported missing on June 1. The next day, his body was located inside the park.
One man was arrested in connection with the gorilla’s death on 4th June. Police officials found several hunting devices in his possession.
We have arrested four people over the death of Rafiki, the Silverback of Nkuringo Gorilla group in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. They will be prosecuted in the courts of law. See statement below; pic.twitter.com/Hf17vfsmL3
— Uganda Wildlife (@ugwildlife) June 12, 2020
He told the authorities that he went with a group to hunt when they came across the group of gorillas. He further claimed that the silverback charged at him and he speared it, in self-defense.
Naturally, Rafiki’s death has come as a ‘huge blow’ for the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) as there are only 1,000 gorilla species left in Uganda.
We are devastated to hear of the death of Rafiki, a silverback gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. Rafiki was the leader of the Nkuringo group, a family of 17 mountain gorillas. Four poachers have been arrested in connection with his death. Photo: @ugwildlife pic.twitter.com/ZupacMsPGz
— Gorilla Organization (@Gorillas_Org) June 12, 2020
Apparently, he died after a poacher thrust a spear in his belly.
Rafiki, the leader of the famed Nkuringo gorilla group was loved by tourists for decades. The rare silverback was the dominant male in the group that also included three blackbacks, eight adult females, two juveniles and three infants, as per reports.
While tourists stay at home due to #COVID19, poachers strike: Beloved 25-year-old silverback gorilla #Rafiki who led a group of 17 #gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, is speared to death by poachers #heartbroken #NatGeo @NatGeo https://t.co/lHnnEbH4vE
— Susan R. Eaton (@SusanREaton_Geo) June 13, 2020
The southern section of the park, where Rafiki resided with his group is home to about half of the world’s mountain gorilla population.
People took to Twitter to mourn Rafiki’s death and condemn the killing.
WHY!! Did they have to kill this magnificent animal.
— Phyllis Anne (@PAWarnhoff) June 13, 2020
These people are a waist of skin.
— Leonard Courchene (@LeonardCourche1) June 12, 2020
Humans are like cancer …
— 𝖐𝖎𝖐𝖎 𝖇𝖑𝖆𝖟𝖊 (@KikiBlaze2) June 12, 2020
Gorilla Lives Matter.
— R (@r80923377) June 12, 2020
i hate humans.https://t.co/qDm4nN4Tyn
— David Dennison (@DrumpfsLies) June 13, 2020
RIP Rafiki. A life of an endangered species taken away by local hunters of Uganda
— Ranjana Devi (@prdranjana) June 13, 2020
Impose a death sentence to the ones who shot it.. let this be a lesson.. #Rafikihttps://t.co/XXOnhsbRz7
They should have both hands cut short.
— The_Cats_from_Ulthar (@catsfromulthar) June 13, 2020
Good. Now prosecute the hell out of them.
— Kathy Weber (@K_Simkhovitch) June 13, 2020
I would charge them with murder.
— Morpheus Rising (@RisingMorpheus) June 13, 2020
This break my heart .. why they this Gorilla!! https://t.co/TNSolD5P17
— sawsan jabri (@sawsanoor) June 14, 2020
If found guilty, the four men who have been arrested in the case, will face a life sentence for killing an endangered gorilla.
This is devastating!