Virunga National Park, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is Africa's oldest national park and home to a variety of iconic and rare species, including hippos, chimpanzees, elephants and birds.

It is also home to the endangered mountain gorilla. About 200 mountain gorillas live in the park. That's about a quarter of the entire population of mountain gorillas, which is spread among three other national parks.

The park also provides a sustainable living for about 30,000 fisherman who support their families fishing off of protected Lake Edward. 

The park is an important staple of the local economy and provides a sense of community. After decades of hard work and money, the park has become one of Africa's treasures, and is now a World Heritage Site.

But UK-companies Dominion and SOCO don't see the park as beautiful. They see it as a money-maker. Both companies want to disregard international law -- as there is currently an oil drilling ban in the park -- and drill for oil.

If the companies get their way, habitat loss, destruction and pollution are just a few of the problems that will arise. The fragile ecosystem cannot handle oil exploration, and according to international media, "SOCO intends to drill through much of the park in areas with some of the highest savannah biomass in the world."

All will suffer if oil drilling is permitted. Tell Dominion and SOCO it's irresponsible, reckless and disrespectful to drill inside Virunga National Park.

Photo credit: d_proffer