2018 OCP Annual Report

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.

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