Six gorilla rangers have been killed, and several others have been wounded, in an ambush in Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo.

“We confirm this sad news. A group of armed men attacked our positions in the region of Nyamitwitwi in the middle of Virunga national park,” Olivier Mukisya, a Virunga spokesperson, told Reuters.

The identities of the Rangers who lost their lives are:

BURHANI ABDOU Surumwe, aged 30 years

KAMATE MUNDUNAENDA Alexis, aged 25 years

MANENO KATAGHALIRWA Reagan, aged 27 years

KIBANJA BASHEKERE Eric, aged 28 years

PALUKU BUDOYI Innocent, aged 28 years

NZABONIMPA NTAMAKIRIRO Prince, aged 27 years

Previous attacks have been attributed to various militias, but it is currently unclear who orchestrated Sunday’s attack.

The park is guarded by almost 700 rangers, and there is a history of violence. Last April, 12 rangers were killed in a tragic attack, the deadliest in the park’s history. Overall, more than 200 rangers have been killed in the past.

You can find further details on the Virunga National Park website.