Photos:: Virunga National Park

Park ranger Andre Bauma considers two orphaned gorillas, Ndakasi and Ndeze, part of his second family at the Senkwekwe Center for gorilla orphans in Virunga National Park.

Park ranger Andre Bauma plays with orphaned mountain gorilla Ndakasi at the Senkwekwe Center in Virunga National Park.

Innocent Mburanumwe is the warden of the southern sector of Virunga National Park. He lost his brother, a fellow ranger, in fighting.

Emmanuel de Merode, the director of Virunga National Park, visits the site of a hydroelectric plant being built just outside the park.

Fishermen who live nearby depend on Lake Edward in Virunga National Park for their livelihood.

Rangers Aline Masika Kisambyia, right, and Julian Mbusa Kahavo, patrol in Virunga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Aline Masika Kisambyia is one of the first female rangers in Virunga National Park.

Ranger Julian Mbusa Kahavo walks through the Mikeno Sector of Virunga National Park, making his way to the mountain gorilla habitat.

Rangers work to dismantle an illicit charcoal operation in Virunga National Park. The charcoal trade, worth $35 million a year, destroys ancient trees.

Virunga Nationa Park rangers dismantle an illicit charcoal operation discovered during their patrol. The illegal trade benefits rebel militias.

A family of mountain gorillas rest in the Mikeno Sector of Virunga National Park.

Virunga warden Innocent Mburanmwe shares breakfast with daughter LuAnne, 3, at their home at the park’s headquarters before going to work.