The Story Behind the Viral Photo

Dubbed the "selfie that broke the internet," this photo has captured hearts globally. It features a man with two young mountain gorillas standing upright, a second man in the background, and the caption below: "Another day at the office." While it evokes joy similar to the famed "monkey selfie" from years ago, there's a sad story hidden behind this cheerful image.

The two men in the photo, Matthew and Patrick, are rangers at the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park is renowned for its dedicated care of orphaned gorillas whose parents were victims of poaching or wildlife trafficking. Matthew, the ranger who shared the photo online, is part of a team consisting of over 600 highly trained rangers who risk their lives daily to protect the extraordinary wildlife within the park.

Monkey Selfie

The gorillas in the photo are endangered mountain gorillas, with about a third living in the lush forests of the national park. Ndakasi and Ndeze— the two gorillas captured in the image, were only a few months old when park workers rescued them and brought them to the center for medical care and a chance at a better life. The park's spokesperson explained that these gorillas, being accustomed to humans due to their care, are very friendly.

Virunga is Africa's oldest national park and also among the most dangerous, not just for the gorillas but for the brave rangers protecting it. The park is surrounded by various militias in conflict with one another. Over the past 20 years, 170 rangers, like Patrick and Matthew, have lost their lives in the line of duty. In addition, they face threats from illegal poaching. The presumed medicinal properties of gorilla body parts drive many poachers to hunt them, and there are those who attempt to smuggle the animals as pets.

Just a year ago, a dozen park rangers were killed in clashes with local militia. The incident occurred late last April when a ranger team was called to secure a civilian vehicle convoy and was subsequently attacked by the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda. In 2018, the park was closed following the kidnapping of two British tourists, who were later safely released. Due to the violence surrounding the park, it was shut down for eight months as officials sought a thorough safety review. Sadly, weeks after reopening, a ranger was killed in a poacher attack.

The image, crowned "Selfie of the Year" and seemingly a pastoral snapshot from Africa's forests, holds a lot of pain beneath its surface. It has inadvertently become a symbol of the park workers' ongoing struggle, risking their lives daily, and of the endangered animals they strive to protect. So far, thousands of people have shared supportive comments, and the image has been shared widely on social media. In response to the attention it has garnered, many supporters have been moved to donate to the national park to aid in its preservation.