the Poacher was sentenced to imprisonment for 11 years in Uganda, after he confessed to killing rare silver gorilla, committed last month. The gorilla, known as Rafiki, which is Swahili means “friend”, was part of the famous gorilla group of Nkuringo that lives in the impenetrable Bwindi national Park and enjoys great popularity among tourists. About it it was known all over Africa. Rafiki went missing on June 1, and his mutilated body was found the next day in the Park. The autopsy revealed that Rafiki was injured with a sharp object in the stomach and internal organs.
Byamukama Felix was arrested a few days with pork and several hunting gear, which, according to him, was constantly in his possession. Byamukama pleaded guilty to several counts, including the killing of gorillas, the penetration of the protected area and illegal possession of antelope meat. Byamukama pleaded guilty to illegal penetration of the protected area and killing gorillas, reports the BBC. According to him, the gorilla attacked him and he killed Rafiki in self-defense. Three of his accomplices, who were arrested with Felix, remain in custody pending trial as they pleaded not guilty.
According to Management of Uganda’s wildlife, at the time of death Rafiki in group Nkuringo was 17 gorillas. This group was the first, who lived in the southern part of the Park, where around half the population of mountain gorillas in the world. At the time of death Rafiki was about 25 years old, and he was the leader of the gorilla group, whose members are accustomed to a person.
