Brent Stirton, South African photojournalist and regular contributor to National Geographic, presents his new book "Virunga". The 300-page book is a vibrant tribute to Virunga National Park. Located in the Democratic Republic of Congo and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Virunga is a sanctuary for mountain gorillas and other species, but also an area regularly exposed to armed conflict and environmental threats.
A unique testimony
The "Virunga" book is the fruit of 18 years' work and 13 expeditions by Stirton to one of the world's most complex territories. Page after page, poignant images of gorillas in their natural environment, orphans taken in by caretakers, rangers on a mission, and even mournful scenes after the tragic death of some emblematic animals. Each photo tells a story, between wild beauty and brutal reality.
Between danger and resilience
In this book, Brent Stirton also tells the story of the men and women rangers who risk their lives to defend biodiversity in the heart of Virunga. And the dramatic fact that over 240 rangers have been killed in the last twenty years protecting this territory. But in the midst of violence and danger, there is a glimmer of hope in the solutions for the future that the book echoes: green energy, sustainable agriculture and local community initiatives. For all these reasons, Virunga stands out as a possible model for the coexistence of nature and human development.
Why read it?
Virunga" is more than a book of photos. It's a moving photojournalist's testimony, a call to protect nature while paying tribute to those who risk their lives for the survival of gorillas and the planet.
Available from September 2025, "Virunga" promises to be a must-have for photography, environment and conservation enthusiasts.
Virunga exhibited at Visa pour l'Image 2025
🌍 F ind out more: follow Brent Stirton 's work on his official website and explore his other conservation-related projects.
https://www.brentstirton.com/
