TIM HAS FALLEN

"Tim was an Eco-guard, a true Ranger at Garamba National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

TIM fell on 3 May 2017, hit by a bullet as he chased down poachers in the Burusi sector.

TIM has fallen, a victim of his passion, sense of duty and determination. And his last breath has prompted outrage among his fellow professionals, who rise every morning to fight these wildlife criminals".

TIM has fallen in the DRC. But he is also fell in Cameroon, the Congo, Gabon, CAR, Equatorial Guinea, Chad, Sao Tome.

TIM has fallen in every place where our Ecoguards risk their precious lives, every second, to protect our valuable resources.

TIM has fallen and taken each one of us down with him. For by dying, he has unleashed our rage, steadfastness, and determination to stamp out these lowlife poachers who devalue an invaluable life to gain an elephant’s tusk. Animals devoid of any humanity besides the human frame which carries their depravity.

TIM, you did not fight in vain. Your fight will never be vain. Nowhere is it written that evil wins the day. No. It is a just fight and your sacrifice is ten times as much.

TIM I am not you. I'll never be. I am me. This struggle of yours has infused my being now more than ever before. Like you, I dedicate my life everyday to preserving our natural treasures. Like you, I will fall someday. It is the law of nature. Others will carry on the fight. It is the law of our profession.

TIM you are gone. Don’t come back. Rest assured that none of those you left behind will give up. Despite the pain and heart break.

Safe journey TIM

Omer NTOUGOU
Executive Secretary of RAPAC
Central African Protected Areas Network.