meeting with the state prosecutor. It was reported that, during this meeting, Merode submitted a report on the park's 4-year enquiry in the actions of an oil-company alleged to be illegally exploring for oil in Virunga National Park. He was shot several times in the chest and abdomen, but survived and was able to leave the scene of the attack with the help of local residents. Emergency surgery was performed at a local hospital in Goma. A legal enquiry into the motives and identity of the attackers was undertaken by the Congolese authorities. Media reports have cited various suspects, including those engaged in the illegal production of charcoal, people associated with SOCO International, a British oil company engaged in the exploration for oil in the national park, opponents of the park's law enforcement activities, disgruntled local residents, and those engaged in struggles to control park lands including, at the time, factions of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and of the Congolese military. Merode returned to Virunga National Park on 22 May 2014 to resume his functions as Park Director. Personal life Merode married Louise Leakey in 2003, a paleontologist from Kenya. They have two daughters: Princess Seiyia de Merode (born 2004) Princess Alexia Maeve de Merode (born 2006) Honours and titles De Merode has received several international awards. Among others, including public recognition from Philippe, King of the Belgians, Albert, Prince of Monaco, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Princess Marie-Esméralda of Belgium. Titles Prince de Merode, by birth. Dr. of Philosophy – Biological Anthropology. University College London Dr. Honoris Causa, honorary doctorate of law – University of Hasselt. Doctor of Humane Letters: Stony Brook University, 2017. Honours National honours : Knight Grand Officer of the Order of Leopold I : Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire, 2019 International recognition The Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa 2015. National Geographic Explorer of the Year, Award, 2015. Biodiversity Award of Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Albert Schweitzer Award Zoological Society of London Conservationist of the Year Franklin D. Roosevelt Freedom from Want Award Ancestors Publications Macmillan (2005) Protected areas and decentralisation in the Democratic Republic of Congo: a case for devolving responsibility to local institutions (in Rural Resources and Local Livelihoods in Africa, Edited by Katherine Homewood). Emmanuel de Merode Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. B (2004) Volume 271, pages 2631–2636