A potential wildlife disaster was narrowly avoided this week when four lionesses escaped from their habitat near Goma.
The alarm spread quickly, causing panic among residents. But thanks to the swift intervention of Dr. Jean Claude Binemo, a renowned local wildlife expert, the lionesses were safely sedated and returned to their enclosure—without incident.
Dr. Binemo, who led the emergency response, was hailed as a hero. The situation could have turned tragic, but the team acted quickly and professionally. The animals are now safe, and so is the public.
The incident sparked widespread attention not only for the danger it posed but also for what it revealed about the growing attention to wildlife protection in the region—an area that has long been defined by conflict and chaos.
Interestingly, the M23 movement, which now exerts de facto authority in large parts of North Kivu, including the outskirts of Goma, responded promptly.
Residents praised Dr. Binemo and the team, reaffirming their commitment to preserving the region’s natural heritage.
For M23, protecting people also means protecting the environment. This is not just about controlling territory—it’s about rebuilding a society, and that includes wildlife conservation, national parks, and community education about the role of animals in our ecosystem.
In recent months, M23 has been working to rebrand its image from that of an armed insurgent group to a structured political and administrative movement. Efforts have been made to stabilize areas under its control by improving infrastructure, delivering social services, and now, by showing concern for wildlife protection.
Local residents, once skeptical of the group’s presence, now point to restored water and electricity in rural areas, expanding road networks, and even reopened schools and health posts.
The quick response to the lioness escape incident added another layer of credibility to the group’s governance narrative.
“We’ve never had this kind of reaction before,” said one shopkeeper near Goma’s park. “People were scared, but within hours it was handled. That never happened under Kinshasa’s administration.”
Conservation groups say eastern Congo’s protected reserves, such as Virunga National Park, are home to some of the world’s most endangered species—but also face constant threats from poachers, illegal miners, and armed conflict.
Any shift toward more structured environmental governance, they say, is a welcome sign.
As M23 solidifies its grip across the region, its involvement in events like this is being closely watched.
Whether driven by genuine concern or the optics of legitimacy, one thing is clear: in eastern DRC, even lions now fall within the realm of politics, power, and a battle for hearts and minds.