Upemba, As Close to Our Hearts as to Our Families!

Communication
Jul 9
2 min read

Spotlight on Ilunga Kasongo John.

My name is Ilunga Kasongo John, but everyone knows me as Mupeto. I am a second-class ranger at Upemba National Park, where I have been dedicated to conservation since 1999. A husband and father of six children—one daughter and five sons—my calling to protect wildlife and nature is a family legacy, inspired by my father, Kisumba Ilunga, who was also a park ranger at Upemba. To us, this park is more than just a natural space; it is part of our history, our identity. There is no mission more noble than preserving it.

Yet, this mission has not been easy. The park has faced many challenges over the years. When I first joined, we patrolled on bicycles, sometimes covering long distances, such as the 255 km journey from Lusinga to Likasi. Working conditions were tough, and the lack of resources made our jobs even harder. Despite multiple threats—including poaching, militias, and other pressures—we held our ground, driven by the belief that this park is a true heritage, our heritage.

As a section chief, I always find joy in exploring Upemba’s varied landscapes. In an instant, you move from an equatorial forest to a vast plain, then suddenly find yourself climbing a mountain carved by a river and its waterfalls. On the plateau, we are thrilled to see the growing populations of zebras and antelopes, a sign that these species feel increasingly safe. This is the tangible impact of our work and our contribution to the conservation of Katanga’s and the DRC’s biodiversity.

Just as my father did for me, I encourage my children to consider a future in nature protection. Because preserving Upemba means preserving our heritage.