My life depended on poaching there was no other way

cease when the people who live on the fringes of these forests, the gorillas’ closest neighbours, are provided with other means to feed their families.

Concerted efforts are being made to give people alternatives, with initiatives such as the Iby’lwacu Cultural Village, nicknamed Guardians of the Gorillas, on the edge of the national park.

Here, reformed poachers demonstrate traditional music and crafts for tourists, enabling them to earn a living without putting the gorillas at risk.

The non-profit organisation also sponsors co-operatives, including potato farming and weaving, involving about 2500 locals. A water pump on site also provides for 4000 people, who collect from it, instead of using the forest lake. Here, we meet Felicien Kabatsi, 62, who finally stopped laying snares five years ago after depending on them for food to feed his family of 10 children for decades. He FRIENDS Ian with ex-poacher Felicien had continued, despite serving a two-year prison sentence. Now, with the village’s help, he farms instead.

With us is biologist Ian Redmond, who, as a research assistant studying the gorillas here 40 years ago, introduced Attenborough to the apes that featured in his film.

And, movingly, it is to Ian, suddenly, that Felicien turns and explains exactly why he felt he had to lay the snares.

Felicien makes a startling admission that brings Ian to tears as he truly grasps the desperation behind the crime. In 1979, Ian made it his mission to cut though as many snares as possible with his “panga”, an African machete.

And Felicien reveals to Ian, who at 64 is so close to his own age, that he would regularly hide nearby and watch the bearded white man cutting his traps with resentment.

He tells a shocked Ian: “We knew it was wrong, I would hide and dodge you – we called you The Panga.

“But my life depended on poaching, there was no other way. My family was more important than the gorillas, and we would be hungry.”

Then Felicien smiles, and tells Ian: “Now it is better. And I can shake you by the hand.”

The moving exchange between two men who were once enemies, highlights the progress that is being made.

The 600 snares which were removed from the forest last year is down from more than 1,000 four years ago. Ian is emotional as he admits that he was blinkered to the needs of local people by his passion for the gorillas.

He says, quietly: “I used to deprive his family of food. This is the best understanding I have had. They do what they need to do for their kids.”

Ian added: “Helping them is the only way that we can protect the gorillas.l

To learn more and help protect the gorillas, visit Ape Alliance: Action for Apes at www.4apes.com

FELICIEN KABATSI POACHER TURNED FARMER