Five DR Congo rangers killed in rescue operation

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Five park rangers were killed in a joint operation with the army to rescue an American journalist and three park rangers, who went missing in a wildlife reserve in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a local official said.

Unidentified gunmen attacked the group on Friday in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve in Mambasa territory. Some in the group escaped.

Mambasa administrator Alfred Bongwalanga said security forces and park rangers launched a rescue operation that located the missing group members. It was not immediately clear how the rangers were killed.
“There are five dead. They are all park rangers involved in the operation. They were backing the army,” he told Reuters.

Eastern Congo has been the theatre of numerous wars and uprisings over the last two decades and rebels, militia fighters and bandits still present a security risk in many areas.

Park rangers trying to protect dwindling populations of elephants and gorillas clash with poachers and other armed criminals who exploit minerals, wildlife and other resources.
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