The Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN) has confirmed that a warden was killed during the night of April 29 to 30, 2026, in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The attack was attributed to the ADF-MTN rebels, a group known for its involvement in regional conflicts. The incident took place at the Northeast substation of the reserve, located in Nduye, within the Mambasa territory of Ituri province. The warden, Tandu Koliwa Jean, was assassinated during the attack, as reported in a statement released by the ICCN. The institute expressed deep regret over the loss of a warden dedicated to preserving the region's rich biodiversity. This attack comes in the wake of a period of hope for the reserve, following the reintroduction of two male okapis to the Okapi Education and Conservation Center. This followed the tragic 2012 attack that resulted in the death of 14 okapis, a rare mammal native to the region and closely related to the giraffe. The recent incident has raised concerns about the safety of conservation efforts in the area, which has long been a target for armed groups due to its natural resources and strategic location. Cosmas Mayarwindi, an environmental activist with Solidarité pour l’étude d’impacts environnementaux et écologiques, an environmental protection association, strongly condemned the attack. He urged the DRC government to take immediate action to protect conservation workers and address the underlying causes of the violence. The attack highlights the ongoing challenges faced by conservationists in conflict zones, where their work is often put at risk by armed groups. The Okapi Wildlife Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the last strongholds for the okapi, an animal that is both culturally and ecologically significant to the region. The loss of a dedicated warden like Tandu Koliwa Jean not only represents a personal tragedy but also underscores the fragility of conservation efforts in a region plagued by instability. The ICCN and other environmental organizations continue to call for increased protection and support for those working to preserve the area's unique wildlife and ecosystems.