Reportedly, the fighting in North Kivu province of DR Congo has quieted down a little. Sporadic fighting however continues to claim lives. On WildlifeDirect blogs, there are reports of two incidents inside DR Congo's wildlife Parks in which people have been killed.

Paula Kahumbu gives an analysis of various (mainstream) news items – on the Gorilla Protection blog – that reported clashes between National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP) rebels and Mai Mai militia loyal to the government in the village of Mabenga, about 90 kilometers north of the regional capital, Goma which left 6 people dead. Mabenga had been earmarked for the construction of a base for Virunga National Park rangers but is currently being used by the CNDP as their military base.

The six dead are reported to be Mai-mai militia. The CNDP – whose leader Laurent Nkunda is said to be facing resistance from within his ranks – did not report any casualties from their side.

Meanwhile, across the hills on Mount Tshiaberimu, a ranger working for the Gorilla Organization project in the mountain finally succumbed to injuries sustained during a Mai-mai attack that was reported in the Tshiaberimu blog on 9 January 2009. The Ranger, Safari Kakule (pictured) was fatally hit by rebel fire as he and other rangers defended their base from the brutal attack.

RIP Safari.