National Geographic Channel Presents Exclusive Coverage of the Gorilla Massacre in Virunga National Park That Horrified the World

National Geographic Channel Presents Exclusive Coverage of the Gorilla Massacre in Virunga National Park That Horrified the World

First to Gain Access, National Geographic Journalists Unravel Web of Corruption Surrounding the Suspect Behind the Murders in This Refuge for Critically Endangered Primates

'Explorer: Gorilla Murders' Premieres Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at 10 p.m. ET/PT

WASHINGTON, JUNE 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In July 2007, six rare mountain gorillas are senselessly shot in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC) Virunga National Park. The world responds in disbelief after shocking photographs by photojournalist Brent Stirton are smuggled out. Only an estimated 720 of these primates remain in the wild, and this is one of the worst massacres of mountain gorillas since scientist Dian Fossey began battling poachers 40 years ago in the very same region. Despite the photographic evidence of the atrocity, the complex story behind it remained largely untold and misunderstood. Who murdered these spectacular creatures and why?

On Tuesday, July 1, 2008, at 10 p.m. ET/PT, National Geographic Channel's "Explorer: Gorilla Murders" reports from eastern DRC, one of the most dangerous places on earth, with the full untold story behind the massacre. Central to the story is Stirton, a South African war photographer with a long history in the region. He was on-location when the murdered gorillas were found and returned to the park for National Geographic to investigate who was behind the killings. In addition to the world television premiere, Stirton's and writer Mark Jenkins' reporting is the July cover story for National Geographic magazine. With the first Western journalists to gain access to the gorilla sector of the park since the killings occurred, National Geographic presents exclusive testimonials from eyewitnesses, including Stirton, who discuss the hunt to bring the perpetrators to justice and the desperate efforts to protect the remaining gorillas, including one miraculous infant whose family was among those massacred.

While the tragedy of the slain gorillas captured the attention of the world, their story only scratches the surface of this complex and often tumultuous region. Located in the DRC, Virunga National Park and its endangered primate residents have been caught in a deadly crossfire between militia groups and the Congolese Army. It is a bloody conflict complicated by the pressures of a surging refugee population and an illegal $30 million charcoal trade decimating the park and threatening the gorillas' lives. Outnumbered and outgunned, the park rangers, more than 110 of whom have been killed in the past decade, are the unsung heroes of this story. Their unwavering commitment to the mountain gorillas' survival is the stuff of true courage.

Photographer Brent Stirton was with the rangers on July 22, 2007 when he was drawn into an unprecedented nightmare. Describing the rangers' demeanor as they carried the bodies of the six gorillas out of the jungle, he says, "I didn't expect to feel ... what I felt when I saw this procession. But it was as if the best of Africa -- the most dignity that they could assemble in the face of tragedy -- was present in this procession. It was such a senseless death...."

Stirton and the rangers knew that this was no ordinary wildlife crime. The spectacular mountain gorillas were not butchered for food or for trophies. In "Explorer: Gorilla Murders," NGC unravels the web of corruption and mystery surrounding the murders and investigates charges against the man now accused of masterminding them -- Honore Mashagiro, the former chief warden of the park. National Geographic's access provides a chance to tell a horrifying "whodunnit" story. In the end, one man will be falsely accused of the crime, one will stand trial and one will hold the park hostage, along with the remaining mountain gorillas that live there.

The program also opens a window into why Virunga has become one of the most dangerous places on earth -- a perfect storm of military corruption, imperiled conservation and refugee desperation. Sadly, the country and the park continue to teeter on the edge of chaos, compounded by a competition for resources that has led to the death of millions of innocent bystanders and critically endangered primates. Against that backdrop, viewers will witness and admire the heroism demonstrated by a group of individuals dedicated to preserving order and hope in a land battered by violence.

For more information on this special episode of "Explorer," visit www.natgeotv.com/explorer and for more information on the Virunga gorillas visit www.nationalgeographic.com.

"Explorer: Gorilla Murders" is produced by National Geographic Television and Film. Executive producer is Jonathan Halperin, senior producer is Robert Zakin and producer/director is Michael Davie. For National Geographic Channel, executive producer is Kathleen Cromley; senior vice president of production is Juliet Blake; and executive vice president of content is Steve Burns.

National Geographic Channel

Based at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic Channel (NGC) is a joint venture between National Geographic Ventures (NGV) and Fox Cable Networks (FCN). Since launching in January 2001, NGC initially earned some of the fastest distribution growth in the history of cable and more recently the fastest ratings growth in television. The network celebrated its fifth anniversary in January 2006 with the launch of NGC HD, which provides the spectacular imagery that National Geographic is known for in stunning high-definition. NGC has carriage with all of the nation's major cable and satellite television providers, making it currently available to nearly 68 million homes. For more information, please visit www.nationalgeographic.com/channel.

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Source: National Geographic Channel

CONTACT: Russell Howard of the National Geographic Channel,
+1-202-912-6652, RHoward@natgeochannel.com, Chris Albert of the National
Geographic Channel, +1-202-912-6526, CAlbert@natgeochannel.com, Dara Klatt of
the National Geographic Channel (National Broadcast), +1-202-912-6720,
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Johanna@jrbcomm.com, for the National Geographic Channel (National & Local
Radio), Christie Parell, +1-202-496-2124, CParell@fratelli.com, for the
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Christine Elasigue of the National Geographic Channel (Photos),
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http://www.natgeotv.com/explorer
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/

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