According to environment protection NGO WildlifeDirect and the Congolese Nature Conservation Institute (ICCN), Honore Mashagiro organised the killings for some lucrative business.

The gorillas were killed in 2007 in Virunga National Park where more than three hundred of them live. The park is home to the world's last mountain gorillas. Unfortunately the animals are being threatened because of the political situation in the country. The park is located in a region of the country where rebels have set up their base.

Reports say that at least six other wildlife employees could be questioned over the killings of the gorillas and their role in the crime ordered by senior director Mashagiro.

After their killings, the gorillas were left at the scene whereas they would have been sold as either food or trophies. Local environment experts said the killings could be linked to the charcoal industry. And that the gorillas could have been killed to create a diversion from this illicit trade, according to WildlifeDirect.

The conservation group WildlifeDirect which works in the Virunga National Park, said that  the arrest was a positive sign for wildlife protection in DR Congo.

Keywords:  congo_kinshasa nature environment bushmeat