2018 ANNUAL REPORT Project Staff A Letter From John President (US) – John Lukas On-site Director – Rosmarie Ruf OKAPI The Okapi Conservation Project around the Reserve, we invest in Accountant – Mutahinga Mumbere Eleme CONSERVATION Asst. Accountant – Kambale Katsuva PROJECT since its inception has been all projects that improve their quality Julien about investment. We invest in the of life. We continued to invest in Program Officer (US) – Lucas Meers place where okapi live, invest in the bringing on board talented young Education Coordinator – M’monga Kiete communities that share the lands people, especially women. We Agroforestry Enckoto Bameseto Mission with okapi, invest in people that also invested in the education of Makubuli Mwanika TO CONSERVE THE OKAPI IN THE WILD, WHILE drive program success and invest in the three children of our educator, Masiyiri Mulawa PRESERVING THE BIOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL fostering a good working relationship Kalinda, who was killed in the attack Mpinda Tchinkunku DIVERSITY OF THE ITURI FOREST Muvi Yalala with government officials that on our vehicle. Muhindo Muliwavyo Kasereka Tsongo oversee conservation in DRC. Sambi Mukandilwa It has been, and continues to Lobo Lina In 2018 amidst regional instability, be, our strategy to invest in all Nadepa Awelekyalanga Manbgeto Bambakonda Therese our staff had to deal with the stakeholders involved in or Educators unpredictable events that led to impacted by the conservation of Gomo Akya an ambush attack on an OCP okapi habitat. We have seen our Kasereka Kyove Mumbere Kayenga vehicle where six innocent people holistic investment approach (which Toliba Maseko died, the spread of the Ebola is made possible by your donations Carine MAKONGA epidemic closer to the Reserve, and grants) pay dividends in the Roger OZANDE Eric SIVINAVA more miners invading the Reserve form of over 8,000 square miles of KAMBALE MASTAKI Faustin Mbuza and uncertainty leading up to the intact okapi habitat protected that elections in December. Despite all supports a viable population of Healthcare Anzatepedanga the difficulties our staff and ICCN okapi and allows the Mbuti Pygmies Mbambu Mituho rangers faced, they were able to to continue to live their traditional Mulowayi Katalayi Oyokudhu Alipa Franck persevere and hold the line because lifestyle deep in the forest. Seburo BWICU Gilbert your support is invested in them, the Infrastructure/Maintenance place and neighboring communities. Thank you for all your support, Mbete Nguma Kababo Mutubule Panga Madro It is of utmost importance to me Sagbolo Yuma that the work we started and the Paluku Kakule Mbusa Mughanda progress we have made over the Muhindo Maliro last 32 years continues well into Vusike Kiruzi Abdoul KIMAKIMA the future. For that to happen, the Kasereka Katsuva appropriate talent and infrastructure Katsuva Kaposo Yangunapayi Makasi needs to be in place so that the Abdala Morisho work can continue uninterrupted. Alezo We invest in well-built facilities and provide the logistical support so that the brave rangers can patrol the Reserve controlling illegal activities Okapi are peaceful, quiet and gentle and so mysterious they were not discovered by Western science until 1901. They are known that threaten okapi habitat. To gain by every Congolese adult and child as a symbol for their vast support, respect and cooperation rainforests teeming with life. In DRC, likenesses of okapi are used to market a vast array of products. of communities living inside and 1 By the Numbers Wildlife Protection by members of the Allied Democratic In 2018, we made significant investments that led to advancements in protecting Forces, a rebel group with origins wildlife and supporting communities around the Okapi Wildlife Reserve. We are Attack on in Uganda, that is accused of killing immensely proud of our wonderful staff and ICCN rangers and are eternally hundreds of people over the past grateful for our generous donors who helped accomplish these achievements. three years.

OCP Vehicle We are deeply sorry to all the families On February 27, 2018, a truck of those who lost their lives, and for carrying ICCN and OCP staff and all our Reserve staff and colleagues 24,038 citizens from Epulu was ambushed who lived and worked closely with those that died in the attack. kilometers were aerial2 surveys by a group of armed individuals new50 ICCN rangers as it entered the town of Erengeti, recruited and covered by ICCN were done to 200 miles east of Epulu. The truck We continue to support and invest in trained for rangers on patrol. identify new mines was destroyed, six people the families of the fallen rangers and the field. around the Reserve. lost their lives, and four others OCP staff by covering the costs of were seriously wounded. OCP their children's school fees. And with educator, Kalinda Mubengwa died generous support from Columbus sent from his injuries at the hospital. The Zoo and Aquarium, Houston Zoo and Congolese army was able to repel the Susan Tall, we were able to replace 3,374 3,000 the truck to ensure our protection attackers while ICCN rangers secured patients were educational calendars the safety of the survivors. Eastern efforts and community programs are treated at the 300 were distributed to DRC is home to multiple armed able to continue. Okapi Dispensary. pounds of field equipment local communities groups competing for control of the to ICCN rangers to throughout the region. region’s vast mineral resources. improve effectiveness The attack was most likely carried out and efficiency. 1,678 69,906 illegal miners seedlings were were escorted distributed to 16okapi were from the over 2,100 farmers observed by ICCN Reserve by as part of our rangers while on ICCN rangers. agroforestry program. patrol. over 4,822 15,000 170 snares were poachers were people participated in arrested by ICCN dismantled and events and learned removed from the about conservation on Thanks to Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Houston Zoo, Susan Tall and additional donors, we were able to rangers inside the quickly replace the damaged truck and pay the school fees for Kalinda's children. 2 Reserve. Reserve. World Okapi Day. 3 Wildlife Protection & Community Support

ICCN Confiscation Depot to secure The new Mambasa Complex that houses our confiscated items from illegal activity. women's group, education team and ICCN office.

In late 2018, the Mambasa office By investing in the infrastructure of complex was constructed, housing our the region, it not only increases the Infrastructure educators, Mambasa women’s group, efficiency and protection of the Okapi Agroforestry office, and ICCN field Wildlife Reserve, but it also improves office. The new building has increased the morale of the personnel, providing Improvements the motivation and efficiency of the additional motivation to fulfill the women, providing suitable storage for mission of the Reserve to protect the their materials and a space to work forest resources for the benefit of Two thousand eighteen marked a out of the tropical heat and rain. The people and wildlife. significant year of investing in the office complex was so successful, infrastructure of the Okapi Wildlife Thanks to the support of a donor from word has spread to the four other Reserve. Early in the year, with the Wildlife Conservation Network, a Women’s Groups around the Reserve, the help of Fondation Segré and tree nursery in the village of Wamba, resulting in a push to secure funding to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, just northwest of the Reserve was construct buildings in those areas. construction was completed on an opened to expand the reach of our In December, construction on the immigration checkpoint and office agroforestry program, filling a critical ICCN Confiscation depot began, at the Zunguluka Patrol Post, and need for farmers in the area, and it which was completed in early 2019. an internet office building in Epulu is led by our first female agronome, This building houses confiscated to increase communication between Therese Bangbeto. We continue items from ICCN patrols – weapons, OCP and ICCN staff members and to invest in building capacity and animal products and illegal mining and Internet Office Building to improve communication among patrol posts around the providing employment in the Reserve, poaching equipment. between OCP and ICCN and ranger posts around the Reserve. Reserve. especially for women. 4 5 Wildlife Protection

Sadly, the confiscation of a single chimpanzee infant means the loss Rescued Primates Receive a of their mother and likely the rest of the family, as chimpanzees will try and defend themselves. The young will then be sold on the black market Second Chance as pets. Wildlife trade is a serious In late summer 2018, a young chimpanzee issue and if not controlled, can and baboon were confiscated by ICCN have disastrous effects on wildlife rangers in Badengaido, and were brought populations. to OCP for temporary care. We provided antibiotics and plenty of generous affection Thankfully for the chimpanzee and before arranging a transfer of the two baboon, ICCN rangers discovered animals to Lwiro Primate Sanctuary. them in time, and we are happy to report the youngsters arrived safely For several years prior to this rescue, at Lwiro and are now thriving after OCP has had no primate confiscations, receiving proper veterinary care and but with the explosive growth of the town meeting their new surrogate families. Badengaido being used to access illegal mining camps there has been Caretaker Mokonzi provided an increase in poaching activity. around-the-clock care, as chimp infants need affection during this critical stage in their lives.

In honor of Rosmarie Ruf, our In-Country Director, Lwiro Primate Sanctuary named the young female chimp, Rosie. 6 7 Community Support

Agroforestry Women's Groups year to provide ample watering for Okapi Conservation Project (OCP) the young trees. Celebrations were For the past 13 years, OCP has economic opportunities to generate has continued to invest in local organized around the OWR to involve been investing in women around money to pay their children's health farmers by providing seeds, tools, students in reforestation projects the Reserve with the goal of care costs and school fees. supplies, and technical guidance. at their schools. In total, 545 trees expanding our reach to empower The addition of the new nursery in were planted with 450 individuals even more women. Working with World Okapi Day delivers a platform Wamba, now run by our first female participating. women provides an opportunity for women to speak on issues agronome, Therese Bangbeto, has to demonstrate the benefits of important to them and about the need allowed us to increase the output of Schools are typically constructed by conservation of natural resources to use natural resources sustainably nitrogen-fixing trees, nut-producing clearing an area of trees or building to these influential members of the at sport events and ceremonies trees for farmers, and trees for on abandoned gardens. Once community. taking place throughout the day. reforestation projects. Because of the constructed, the school sits in an addition of this 5th nursery in Wamba, open area subject to the hot sun. By OCP supports Women’s Groups On March 8th the villages around OCP now contributes to improving reforesting the areas around schools, by providing resources including the Reserve celebrated International food security in the communities in trees provide shade from the heat administrative support, sewing Women’s Day through parades and the northern part of the Reserve. In to students and faculty. The trees machines and materials, and bean activities that share the importance 2018, we were able to produce and also provide a connection to nearby and vegetable seeds for community and involvement of women in each of distribute nearly 70,000 trees, far forests that act as wildlife corridors and gardens in Epulu, Mambasa, Niania, the communities. surpassing our goal of 60,000! food sources for native wildlife. More Wamba, and Mungbere. OCP importantly, involving students in these staff help initiate and manage the In DRC, International Tree Day is projects teaches them the importance programs that improve food security, celebrated at the end of each year, of conservation efforts and what they safeguard water resources from coinciding with the last rains of the can do personally to help. pollution and overuse, and provide 8 9 Conservation Education Camera Traps Early in 2018, OCP was hopeful to see an okapi calf on one of our camera traps after we observed a pregnant female browsing in December 2017. On February 13, 2018 our hopes were realized as the new mother and her newborn strolled across the field of view of the camera, the first-ever footage of an okapi calf in the wild.

Due to her very progressed pregnancy in the December 2017 footage, we believe she gave birth soon after passing in front of the camera. Naturally, the calf stayed hidden in the rainforest, most likely between large buttress roots, as the mother came and went to feed. After roughly two months, the calf began following the mother around, allowing us to capture this incredible footage.

You can see the characteristic mane on the back of the neck and down its back, which the calf will gradually lose as it grows older. Okapi are one of the fastest growing ungulate species, and it won’t be long until this little one is full grown.

10 11 Conservation Education World Okapi Day In 2018, OCP increased the reach of World Okapi Day by including women’s groups in the activities. Celebrations were held in Epulu, Mambasa, Mungbere and Watsa, and our approach has always been to engage local communities, and World Okapi Day creates community wide excitement for forest protection.

This year, safety and travel conditions were a major concern, so races were shortened to sprints instead of 5-kilometer runs. The winners of the races had their school fees covered for a semester and all participants received backpacks and t-shirts.

World Celebrations begin with community parades, followed by OCP educators speaking on the need to protect the forest to help conserve okapi. As the day progresses, audiences gather for the student races and soccer games. Thanks to the World Okapi Day events, an estimated 15,000 children and adults were Day exposed to our message of environmental stewardship. These celebrations were only possible because of the support from Saint Louis Zoo, Tanganyika Wildlife Park, Zoo Antwerpen and ZooTampa at Lowry Park.

12 13 Where are 2018 Financials we located?

Revenue

Individuals $247,731 Zoo Support $280,287 Grants $383,420 CARPE $42,357 Miscellaneous Income $7,963 DEMOCRATIC REBUBLIC OF CONGO $961,758

Expenses

ICCN Support $309,855 The Okapi Conservation Project works in the OCP Epulu Operations $221,340 Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR) in the northeastern sector of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Conservation Education $110,277 Covering nearly 14,000 square kilometers and Community Assistance $92,037 encompassing one fifth of the Ituri Forest, the OWR was established in 1992, declared a World Infrastructure Improvement $60,203 Heritage Site in 1996 and supports the largest populations of okapi, chimpanzees and forest Healthcare $77,111 elephants in DRC. In addition to the many species $88,300 of plants and animals, the OWR is also home to US/Nairobi the indigenous Mbuti Pygmies, a population of hunter-gatherers that share the forest with the $959,123 endangered okapi. 14 15 Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo Wells Fargo Community Support Donaghy, Melanie Tanganyika Wildlife Park Campaign Dorion, Dorothy The Maryland Zoo at Baltimore Wendy Obernauer Foundation Ellis, Susie DONORSUeno Zoo Wildlife Conservation Global Farkas, Sandra

Donors White Oak Conservation Wildlife Conservation Network Geske, Matthew Wilhelma Zoo Wildlife Conservation Society Hackett, Michael Zoos and Related Institutions Wroclaw Zoo Workday Matching Gift Program Johnson, Kim AAZK - Greater Orlando Wroclaw Zoo Foundation DODO Junhold, Joerg Antwerp Zoo Yokohama's ZOORASIA Individual Donors Lukas, John & Vanessa Berlin Zoo Zoo Basel Lundberg, Shane Bioparc de Doue la Fontaine Zoo Leipzig $10,000+ Mabbett, Trent Hixon, Joseph M Blank Park Zoo Zoo Miami Major, Andrew & Gemma Brookfield Zoo Zoo Wuppertal Norvig, Kristan and Peter Mccarthy, Margaret Chester Zoo ZooParc de Beauval $5,000 - $9,999 Mekarska, Anna Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Anonymous Mujsce, Carol Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Marano, Lizbeth & Mel Bochner Parker, Marjorie Cologne Zoo Foundations and Tall, Susan Schwimmer, Lawrence Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Grant Organizations Vergara, Hugh Copenhagen Zoo $5,000 - $9,999 Wildt, David Amazon Smile Chan, Beverly Dallas Zoo Bass Family Foundation Dar, Adrianne $250 - $499 Detriot Zoo Booster14 - Donors Funds Ekstrand, Rikard Barongi, Rick & Diane Ledder Disney's Animal Kingdom CGMK Foundation Karnos, Kristine Brunner, Dacia Dublin Zoo Disney EARS to You Pell, William Byrne, Bridget A Dvur Kralove Zoo Disney Matching Gift Program Posner, David Catlin Tubbs Fort Worth Zoo Fondation Segré Schauer, Louis F. Ewald, Andrea & Stephan Meyer-Ewald Great Plains Zoo Global Giving Anonymous Flocken, Jeffrey Houston Zoo Google Match Gift Program $1,000-$1,999 Friedel, Sarah & Roger Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Hogg/Baily Charitable Fund Berryman, Alec Geneson, Nina Lisbon Zoo Intel Corporation Match Gift Program Dortort, Fred Geyer, Kellie Los Angeles Zoo KfW - German Forest Biodiversity Field, Alexander Henery, Paula Ivey Nashville Zoo Conservation Project Goldfarb, Bruce Knowles, John National Zoo of South Africa M.Piuze Foundation Hansink, Kimberly Kobialka, William Northwest Zoopath Herrold, Edmund & Ellen Yamaguchi Loizeaux, Christine Oklahoma City Zoo Network For Good Okapi Partners Langston, Angela Papen, Roland Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo Pepsico Foundation Lidell, Michael Perkins, Mara & Robert Parco Zoo Falconara Tape Technologies Spector, Bev & Ken Lipson Petric, Ann Potawatomi Zoo Teespring, Inc Tabor-Beck, Linda Plosser, Charles & Janet Roosevelt Park Zoo The Discovery School Woods, Gerald Rapp, Steven Rotterdam Zoo The George and Mary Rabb Charitable Reardon, Maureen & Denis Sacramento Zoo Fund $500 - $999 Stauffer, Alice, T. Reams & T. Hagler Safari West Tusk Trust Anonymous Thompson, Lawrence Saint Louis Zoo Anonymous Tucker, Lisa & Douglas San Antonio Zoo UNESCO USAID-CARPE Berg, Judith Williams, Andrew & Rebecca Christoffel San Diego Zoo Global US Fish & Wildlife Service Caulfield, Sean Witherspoon, Pamela Sedgwick County Zoo Cermak, Iri Walt Disney Company Zych, Noah & Ariel Stichting Wildlife Citino, Scott 16 17 $100 - $249 Searight, Jane Davalos, Ximena Lovett, Andrew Schwedock, Gary Singh, Harcharan Doong, Jennifer Martin, Fran & Jim Schmieding, Lasse Adams, James Sivek, Marcia Ellis, Lucy Baumayer, Anthony Growden Sellers, Haley Spain, Catherine Enders, Maurice Martinez, Marie Shin, Jee Bell, Sally Stewart, Sarah Face, Valerie Bosco, Robert Masselink, Joe Smith, Kaci Stoddard, Rochelle faelli, marina Matingly, Madeline Sobalvarro, Stephanie Bugman, Nancy Gee Tjugito, Rani Finley, Mark Matumoto, Yoshiki Sparkman, Stuart Decoto, Cheri Van de Mark, Donald Foley, Victoria Delmanowski, Susan Mayes, Dalton Spear, Chaim Warren, Trina 16 - DonorsFoulk, John Differding, Amy Mazzoni, Kimbeley Spear, Gillian Wierda, Eelco Gama, Taciana McAteer, Bora Specht, Jonathan Elsenberger, Jacob Worth, Bob & Margaret Grap, Christopher Eyring, Kim McDonald, Laura Spires, Jefferson McCarthy Gray, Anne McGinnis, Megan Stein, Sandra Farley, Kristopher Wright, Amy Green, Anne Meers, Lucas Stievater, Rebecca In September, the Freedom, Mercury & Rea Gruen MD, Liss Gelvin, Bruce $1 - $99 Miller, Michael Stone, sarah Okapi Conservation Harrington, Christina Moreno, Sandra Stuckmann, Sonja Project was awarded Gerlach, Caroline Abaja, Merle Harris, Diana Goff, Katherine Adams, Carissa Musser, Susan Sullivan, Samantha the Association of Hezaveh, Nick Navratil, Sharon Takeya, Junko Zoos and Aquariums' Gray, Caroline Allen, Katherine Hillmer, Barbara Nelson, Kimber Thibodeau, Chris William G. Conway Green, Michael & Anne Allen, Veleta Hopp, Susan Newman, Alyssa Thirlby, Tom Award for International Gross, Adam Alva, Jessica Huerta, Johnny Conservation for Nycum, Alyssa Torres, Loreta Gruen MD, Melissa Anderson, Keishia Husbands, Judy our 30 years of Hanson, Michelle Andrews, Angela Orton, Lisa Tovar, Kathleen Hutchens, Cindy Papageorgiou, Sophia Tubbs, Catlin work protecting the Hayhurst, Marcie Anonymous Irvine, Georgeanne endangered okapi Heminway, John Armstrong, Elizabeth Parker, Keri & Paul Tucker, Maria and its habitat in the Ishiwada, Kenji Pieper Veitz, Stephanie Holt, James Artemis, Artemis Jacobs, Jason Democratic Republic House, Josiah Battiste, Ari & Kati Petronaci, Lauren Warren, Tina of Congo. Thank you Jasdanwala, Dyami Phillips, Susan Watkins, Heather Johnson, Michael Bell, Edward Johnson, Alexa AZA! Laughbaum, Margaret Besocke, Kate Pollitt, Nigel Weittekemper, Anne Johnson, James Prefontaine, Lynne Wellman, Sarah Leigh Jacques, Sam Bevington, Douglas Johnson, Kari Lemon, Peter Birch, Tanya & Peter Purcell, Jason Whitby, Melissa Jordan, Joshua Raghunath, Raja Wilde, Celia Leskiw, Tricia Birkhoff, Justin Keelen, Kevin Lovett, Andrew Boone, Abby Reardon, Caitlin Williams, Sarah & Kendall, Nancy Maloney, Laura Brewer, Benjamin Reed, Lisa Samuel Kershaw, Cheryl & Terry Reid, Bonnie Wong, Kimberly Mangum, Nancy Bronwen, Ellis Khepri, Brian & Tatum Riazian, Maryam Wood, Bryce Martin, Claire Calderon, Yoland & Gary Johnson Martin, Vance Kilbourn Richie, Michael Woojin, Yoo We'd like to thank Kirchoff, Bruce Riehle, Michelle Ziemke, Patrick WCN for providing Mather, Tim Calhoun, Austin Knox, Jillian Centlivre, Molly Roche, John Zubiate, Monique longstanding Norris, Richard Koach, Jessica support, guidance Palmans, Ann Chen, Wenjie Rodriguez, Mauricio Zuckerman, Andrea Koch, Karin Ruck, Robin Zuckerwise, Dr. Avram and fundraising Pharoah, Jeremy Claus, Wendy Kopperud, Gail opportunities. Poe, Jerry Coastes, Heather Sadoulet, Valerie Lampen, Ulrick Salas, Jesus Poole, Andrew Cobey, John Lane, Helena Riley, Morrison Cole, Stacie Satek, Patricia Ledet, Veronica Sayers, Brian Robinson, Philip Collomb, Jean-Gael & Lemon, Peter Rose, Heidi Maria DiGiano Schaffer, Amanda Levin, Charles Schmidt, Kirk Rouff, Jacqueline Coulon, Patrick Lomas, Frank 18 19