Kinshasa woke up with a bitter taste: three baby chimpanzees and three large birds disappeared during the night of November 23–24, taken as if the country were watching its heritage vanish before its eyes. The information was confirmed by a reliable source and reportedly led to the suspension of Dr. Matata and the Director of N’Sele. But according to some local sources, the real tragedy might lie elsewhere: was it only animals that were stolen, or is the environmental governance of the DRC itself being robbed?
According to interviewed guards, this was not a simple opportunistic burglary. The thieves clearly targeted the youngest chimpanzees, bypassing the supposed surveillance of the site. One guard whispered: “A theft like this… it’s not an improvisation.” Another added bluntly: “If anyone wanted to check the real state of surveillance here… well, here’s the answer.” Sources suggest that analysts believe this situation exposes a systemic flaw in the protection of iconic species, even in official sites.
Some conservation officials say this theft comes in an already sensitive context: the DRC was recently cited by CITES for dubious exports of protected species, notably chimpanzees destined for Vantara. Some analysts wonder whether this theft is part of a system in which the disappearance of animals feeds a clandestine trade that no one dares confront. An anonymous expert noted: “When CITES cites a country, it’s never over an administrative detail. It’s about opaque networks and failed oversight.” Defenders argue that the situation should alert authorities and mobilize civil society: transparency is now a national urgency.
According to analysts, wildlife protection can no longer be limited to official statements or conference promises. The theft of these chimpanzees reveals a structural problem of governance and control. Local sources say that an effective fight against wildlife crime requires independent and strengthened surveillance, transparent and public investigations, effective sanctions for negligent officials, and rigorous traceability of all high-risk species.
The stolen chimpanzees are not just victims; they embody, according to our sources, what the DRC risks losing if opacity becomes the norm: values, sovereignty, and environmental dignity fading into the night. Advocates speak forcefully: “The DRC must become a country where environmental protection is non-negotiable. Every scandal should be a wake-up call, not a curtain.” Today, three baby chimpanzees have disappeared, but tomorrow, if nothing is done, some sources warn, it will be our institutions, our values, and our collective future that may evaporate into silence.
By Kilalopress
