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Gorilla Journal Journal of Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe No. 45, December 2012

Implementing Bwindi Gorilla The Shifting Trend The Bambidie Conservation Ac- Number Increased of Ape Trafficking Gorillas tion Plan Strate- in Africa gies in Congo BERGGORILLA & REGENWALD DIREKTHILFE

Authors of this Issue ment at The Last Great Ape Organisa- CONTENTS tion – LAGA. D. R. Congo 3 Dr. Tammie Bettinger is the Senior Dr. Prince K. Kaleme is the pro- FZS Activities in Support of the Research Biologist at Disney’s Animal ject leader for the Maïko National Park Simba People inside Maïko Kingdom and the chair of the Pan Afri- project, Frankfurt Zoological Society National Park 3 can Sanctuary Alliance (PASA) Board (FZS). He has worked as a research- Implementing Conservation Action of Directors and Conservation Educa- er at Lwiro CRSN station on Primates Plan Strategies in Congo 5 tion Committee. She also worked with and other mammals. He also led the Two New Grauer’s Gorilla Orphans 8 PASA and DFGFI to help establish Kahuzi-Biega and Itombwe projects for DFGF Grauer’s Gorilla Program 8 GRACE Center WCS. He has worked for conservation M23 Update 10 Don Cousins has had a lifetime in- in eastern Congo for about 20 years. Rwanda 11 terest in the great apes. He has worked Thirza A. C. Loffeld studied and de- Eucalyptus – An introduced in Twycross and Chessington zoos, veloped staff training and is now build- Medicinal Food for Gorillas? 11 and in 1957 visited Gabon to look for ing experience in in-situ conservation Uganda 12 gorillas. He has researched and pub- in Indonesia. With a strong interest in Bwindi Gorilla Number Increased 12 lished widely on the subject. maternal investment in nonhuman pri- Cross River 13 Debby Cox is the Technical Advisor mates, she is pursuing her academic Gorilla Guardian Update 13 for the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) Af- development within this field. Suitable Environments For Apes 15 rica Programs and a member of PASA. Dr. Angela Meder studied the be- Gorillas 16 She works with numerous primate haviour and development of captive The Shifting Trend of Ape sanctuaries across Africa. lowland gorillas for 10 years. Since Trafficking in Africa 16 Dr. Alison Grand is a Conservation 1992 she has been part of the Board of Orphan Gorilla Confiscation in and Research Fellow at Disney’s Ani- Directors of Berggorilla & Regenwald Equatorial Guinea 17 mal Kingdom and works with GRACE Direkthilfe. Guide Refresher Training at Bai Center and JGI in the Democratic Re- Dario Merlo is the Project Coordina- Hokou and Mongambe 19 public of the Congo to help develop tor for the JGI’s Community-Centered The Bambidie Gorillas 22 and evaluate conservation education Conservation program in DRC. He also International Gorilla Workshop 25 and development programs. established the Promo Jeune Basket Reading 26 Chris Jameson is the Director of program that uses basketball to inspire New on the Internet 26 the Wildlife Conservation Society’s young people. Berggorilla & Regenwald (WCS) Takamanda-Mone Landscape Urbain Ngobobo has much experi- Direkthilfe 27 Project in Cameroon, managing sever- ence working in the Congolese nation- GRASP Council Meeting in Paris 27 al field projects focused on conserving al parks. He worked for the Zoological the critically endangered Cross River Society of London (ZSL) and the FZS, gorilla and its habitat. and now works for the DFGFI. He has Organization Address: Eric Kaba Tah is the head of the more than 12 years of experience in Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe Media and External Relations Depart- management of international conser- c/o Rolf Brunner vation NGOs. Lerchenstr. 5 Florence Perroux is the communi- 45473 Muelheim, Germany Gorilla Journal 45, December 2012 cation, education and in situ conserva- E-mail [email protected] Editor: Dr. Angela Meder tion officer at La Palmyre Zoo, France. Augustenstr. 122, 70197 Stuttgart, She co-authored the Gorilla Education- Website: Germany al Kit edited by WAZA for the 2009 Year http://www.berggorilla.org Fax +49-711-6159919 of the Gorilla and wrote articles about E-mail [email protected] gorilla ex and in situ conservation. Bank Account: Translation and Proofreading: Ann Juliet Wright has been Project Man- Account number 353 344 315 DeVoy, Bettina and Andrew Grieser ager of the ZSL’s bushmeat alterna- Stadtsparkasse Muelheim, Germany Johns, Colin Groves tives project in Equatorial Guinea since Bank code number 362 500 00 Cover: Infant gorilla Afangui in the June 2011 and has been involved in IBAN DE06 3625 0000 0353 3443 15 restaurant cage before the confisca- gorilla conservation since 2006, mainly SWIFT-BIC SPMHDE3E tion. Photo: Tomo Takagi in Cameroon.

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FZS Activities in Support sectors – the northern, central and southern sectors – all of which are un- of the Simba People in- der the supervision of a central man- side Maїko National Park agement unit located at Lubutu. Each of the three park sectors has patrol The Maїko National Park (MNP) is one posts that are no longer operational, of 7 national parks in the Democratic due to incidents between Simba fight- Republic of the Congo (DRC). It was ers and the park rangers and to the established by Presidential Decree limited funding available to the park. A no. 070/312, dated 20 November 1970, park rehabilitation project is currently A meeting of representatives of and covers an area of 10,830 km2. It is underway, such that MNP is in the pro- ICCN, the military and FZS with the located in the north-east of the DRC cess of re-launching monitoring activi- Simba. Photo: Eugene Izinga and extends over three provinces – ties in all sectors. the Lubero and Walikale territories in The presence of the Simba in Maїko Simba was not taken into account: the North Kivu, the Bafwasende territory National Park goes back a very long Congolese (formerly Zairean) authori- in Oriental Province and the Lubutu time. They were there since historic ties did not plan or take any measures territory in Maniema Province. times, but were taken close to the main to relocate them outside a protected The Maїko National Park embodies road by the Belgians. They lived on area. the intent of the DRC government to hunting and fishing. During the 1964 The problems between the park protect the immense rainforest and to Mulele rebellion, which engulfed the authorities and the Simba intensified safeguard the survival of key endemic whole country, they became warriors as the establishment of the park pro- species such as the eastern lowland and retreated into the forest to pro- gressed. The rangers found it difficult to gorilla, the okapi and the Congo pea- tect themselves from Government re- fulfil their mission of protecting the park cock, in addition to species at risk of prisals and because they were furious as they frequently became involved in becoming locally extinct, such as the about the death of their idol Lumumba skirmishes with the Simba. This situa- elephant, chimpanzee and various oth- – they only accepted recently that he tion persisted until around 2000, after er species of primates. has been killed. the civil war. Everybody knew that their For effective and efficient manage- When the Maїko National Park was presence in the park posed a serious ment, the MNP is subdivided into three created in 1970, the presence of the problem but nobody was able to come up with a solution. In order to be able to carry out patrols and other work inside the park, the park authorities finally came to an understanding with the Simba – a compromise was reached. However, in April 2009 the army called up the rangers to participate in an operation against the Simba with the objective of forcing them out of the forest. Unfortunately, one ranger was killed in the ensuing fight and when the Simba saw his dead body, they considered the rangers as traitors for having led their enemies. A trial of strength com- menced and the activities of the rangers in the park ground to a halt. The Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) arrived at the end of 2009 and started activities in 2010. They recognized that it was important to ini- tiate certain measures for the Simba A Simba village in the park Photo: FZS to leave the park peacefully, because

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other groups (poachers or miners) operating in the park may present themselves as Simba and the distinction between the groups is difficult to make. Strategies had to be outlined before it was possible to find a solution and em- bark on this procedure, and to define who exactly should be involved to ensure a sustainable solution. We should take into account the risk that, if they leave, another armed group such as the FDLR or Maї Maї may take over. The FZS wanted to find a long term solution; but not resolve one problem by creating another more difficult. This approach was not easy and required much lobbying and sensitization at the political and diplomatic, as well as at social levels including involvement of the local chiefs who have A wing of the new school for the integration of the Simba Photo: FZS already played a very important role because they have respect from the Towards the end of last year, a broad his agreement for the rangers to re- Simba. The strategy of FZS is to en- concept was developed which included sume patrolling – which they subse- courage the Simba to leave while offer- the following activities: quently did, even going on mixed pa- ing them certain assistance: trols with the Simba. Other questions – lobbying at the provincial level were also raised during this important – A school is being constructed to im- – visiting the site in order to meet the meeting, such as possibilities for their prove the quality of education in the Simba in their camps peaceful exit, their re-integration into area that the Simba will move into. – sensitization of the Simba for a normal life, etc. (Two others have already been in- peaceful exit to normal life The contacts that were initiated at augurated by Fauna and Flora Inter- the site level by ICCN and FZS sub- national.) Lobbying started at the beginning of sequently required an involvement at – The first 100 households to come January 2012 when a FZS-ICCN team a much higher level. The relocation of out of the park will each be offered met the politico-military authorities at the Simba from the forest has many 25 metal sheets to assist in building Kindu to secure the authorisation for implications in regard to the need to re- their houses. negotiation with this armed group. The integrate them into normal social life, – To avoid them into turning into ban- Governor gave an authorization to which means an orientation either to- dits or creating other problems for proceed. wards the army or towards civilian life. society, it is planned to provide relo- The FZS-ICCN team then sched- The FZS has thus initiated contacts cating households with agricultural uled a trip into the park to meet with with diplomatic missions, the relevant materials and seeds to help them the Simba. This meeting was facilitated ministers, the army and the Director integrate into civil society, and to through several contacts set up by lo- General of ICCN to get them involved provide them with training to ensure cal chiefs, following an agreement with in finding a long-term solution. that their agricultural activities will be the Simba leader that he would meet On a suggestion from the ICCN Di- productive and profitable. the team. rector General, a team was formed to – 30 Simba will be taken as park rang- The first meeting had the objective carry out a second sensitization mis- ers, giving them guaranteed employ- of renewing relationships which had sion focusing particularly on the means ment. ICCN would actually prefer to existed between the park rangers and of achieving a peaceful exit of the Sim- increase this number and encour- the Simba and which had allowed the ba. This team included a representa- age them to work in other protected patrols to be carried out. At the end of tive of ICCN Director General from Kin- areas as well. this first meeting, the chief Simba gave shasa with extensive experience in ne-

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gotiating with armed groups, who went In the meantime, the Simba chief to- le and Lubutu are still quite low, the to Kindu to meet the military authori- gether with his high-ranking community perimeters are some of the most ties of the province. In Kinshasa, the members has been involved in sensi- densely populated and impoverished issue was taken up to the higher Mili- tizing their warriors and the rest of the areas of DRC. tary instances and the 7th military re- people to accept the fact that they can Unfortunately, poverty, proximity to gion in Maniema Province who sent an leave the forest, and live their lives nor- wildlife habitats, the presence of a ma- emissary (a colonel in charge of secu- mal lives in villages. jor roadway, and the increasing pres- rity and military intelligence at the pro- We are convinced that the reloca- ence of mining extraction companies vincial level who was accompanied by tion of the Simba from the park will make the Walikale and Lubutu for- a lieutenant from the intelligence sec- improve its protection, which is impor- ests target areas for the illegal bush- tion). The venue of the meeting was tant to achieve conservation goals. It meat and pet trades. Sadly, evidence approximately 8 hours’ march (from the also allows to establish research and of these illegal practices is growing at main road) into the park. The meeting monitoring teams, which FZS propos- an alarming rate, and stories of con- included representatives of the ICCN es to set up and coordinate. To date, fiscations are even making national Directorate-General, representatives the mixed patrols report the presence headlines. Prior to 2000 only one east- of the military region, the chief warden of important biodiversity, with gorillas, ern gorilla was confiscated by wildlife and a FZS representative. The main chimpanzees, okapis and other ungu- officials in the eastern DRC. -In con objective of the mission was to sign an lates having been seen in significant trast, during the last 10 years, 17 east- agreement between ICCN and its part- numbers. This strengthens the interest ern gorillas and more than 50 chim- ners on the one side and the Simba on that FZS has taken in this site and will panzee orphans were confiscated from the other side, for a peaceful exit and help ensure its long-term conservation. northeast DRC alone. It is speculated re-integration to normal social life. We would like to express our grati- that as many as 30 more chimpanzees By the end of the mission, the parties tude to BMZ (German Federal Ministry came from this region but ended up in had agreed to all the suggestions and for Economic Cooperation and Devel- a sanctuary in southeast DRC (Pan Af- proposed that this should be gradually opment) for co-financing this project, rican Sanctuary Alliance Database). Of implemented. The 30 men who will join which is in the process of giving this those rescued, a large number were the ICCN will be available as soon as park international visibility. confiscated in the provincial capital of joint patrols have been held compris- Prince K. Kaleme Goma and in villages located along the ing ICCN rangers and the Simba. This main road running between the Maïko has now taken place and the prospec- and Kahuzi-Biega National Parks (see tive rangers are expected to join up in Implementing Conserva- map on page 6). October. In addition, a list of 250 chil- tion Action Plan Strateg- When orphans are confiscated, wild- dren who require schooling (this num- ies in Northeastern Congo life authorities arrange for their care at ber may go up with more people return- one of the three facilities in northeast- ing) has been provided and a monitor- Some of the largest tracts of forest ern DRC for rescued apes: GRACE ing group set up to ensure adherence habitat in the eastern Democratic (Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conserva- to commitments over a 3-month pe- Republic of the Congo are located in tion Education Center) for Grauer’s go- riod. Three households that have al- the Walikale and Lubutu territories. rillas, Senkwekwe for mountain go ready come out of the forest have been Although the forests are not formally rillas, and the Center for the Rehabi provided with metal sheets. protected by the government, the litation of Primates in Lwiro for As an army representative was communities have designated them as chimpanzees. These sanctuaries are among the team, the Simba warriors protected areas and are working with essential components to anti-poaching received a firm guarantee that they the government to establish the land efforts, but they are quickly exceeding will never again be pursued once the as formally recognized reserves. The their capacity due to the substantial in- agreement was signed. The presence forests of Walikale and Lubutu include creases in ape confiscations. of an army representative played an important corridors between Kahuzi- important role in convincing the Simba Biega and Maïko National Parks and Conservation Action Plan to leave the forest. Their interest in do- currently have healthy populations of In early 2011, with support from the ing so is palpable – and the whole army Grauer’s gorillas, chimpanzees, leo Arcus Foundation and The World has been sensitized so as not to disturb pards, and elephants. Although human We Want Foundation, the Congolese those who come out of the forest. density inside the forests of Walika Wildlife Authorities (ICCN) and the

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Butembo Opienge Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) facilitated a Conservation Action Plan (CAP) Lubero Workshop to assess the current status REGOLU RNT Lake of gorillas and chimpanzees in eastern Parc National Kasugho Edward DRC. During the workshop, illegal Bando de la Maïko RGU Parc poaching was identified as the number Osele Twabinga National UGANDA one threat to apes in northeastern DRC, Lubutuubutu Mukingiti REGOUWA RPKI des Virunga and the Walikale and Lubutu territories Mungeleg Kalembe Bitule Ossoss Bisie were recognized as critical target areas Pinga Sarambwe REGOMUKI for conservation efforts. Furthermore, NdjingalNdNdjingN a conservationists identified conservation Biruwe RECOPRIFOL Rutshuru Mubi education for local communities and Walikale Masisi law enforcement agencies as one of Punia Kasese COCREFOBA 5 priority strategies to protect gorillas RGPU IteberoIteb Goma and chimpanzees in Walikale, Lubutu Lake RWANDA Parc National Kivu and other areas with high rates of ape de Kahuzi-Biega poaching. Bunyakiri

Ape Conservation Awareness D. R. CONGO Survey Based on the priorities outlined during Bukavu the CAP workshop, JGI joined with Shabunda conservationists from Disney’s Animal Map of the UGADEC region in northeastern Congo. Large dots: CAP sites. Kingdom® to develop and implement Circles designate areas where ape confiscations have occurred. The a comprehensive conservation edu Walikale and Lubutu territories include communities along the route cation program in the Walikale and between Lubutu and Itebero. Lubutu territories. To develop the program, a needs assessment survey Lubutu territories: Lubutu, Biruwe, clear that ape hunting and consump- was first conducted to identify key Bisie, Ndjingala, Mubi, Walikale Centre, tion are major problems in Walikale issues that should be addressed in the Itebero, Kasese, Pinga Centre, and and Lubutu. It is interesting that a program. The survey consisted of 21 Kalembe (see map). The survey results few respondents listed domestic questions about people’s knowledge, highlighted the severity of the bushmeat livestock as a type of bushmeat. attitude, and practices with regard to problem and the lack of knowledge 3. An overwhelming majority of re- ape conservation. It was administered concerning wildlife regulations and spondents were supportive of ape to 350 people living in the following penalties, demonstrating the potential conservation initiatives in their com- 10 communities in the Walikale and benefits of conservation education. munities, indicating the potential for conservation programs to create Survey Findings positive change in the Walikale and Here we present some of our key Lubutu territories. findings from the ape conservation awareness survey. Conservation Education Program Development and Implementation 1. There is a lack of knowledge about With this invaluable groundwork, the laws protecting apes and other JGI and Disney’s Animal Kingdom® wildlife and the penalties for break- developed a conservation education ing these laws. This knowledge var- program for both adults and primary ies greatly by community. school-aged children. Educators from 2. Although a large percentage of re- 10 communities in the Walikale and An educator demonstrating one of spondents consume bushmeat, Lubutu territories were selected to the educational activities at a none claimed to eat apes. Nonethe- deliver the educational program. It was training workshop less, from the survey results, it is particularly important to involve local

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educators to enhance their capacity extensive training with JGI and Disney materials, such as puzzles, cartoon and to ensure that educators were conservation educators on how to story boards, educational posters, and well-respected members of their com deliver conservation lessons, conduct funds for transportation to deliver the munity with first-hand knowledge of pre and post evaluations, and lead program. the conservation challenges of the community meetings. Each educator As of July 2012, the educators have region. The local educators received was also provided with program delivered the conservation education program in 95 schools to 27,803 Percentage of respondents that Percentage of respondents that children. In cooperation with UGADEC agree with each statement identified each as a penalty for (Union of Associations for Conserva- possessing an ape tion of Gorillas and Development in the Survey statement % of resp. East Democratic Republic of Congo), It is legal to buy apes 12.3% Penalty listed % of resp. the educators also have held 90 meet- It is legal to capture 9.4% Prison term 36.3% ings with over 2400 community mem- apes I don’t know 27.4% bers and leaders. In addition to the in- teractive conservation education les- It is legal to kill apes 7.4% Arrest and confiscation 16.9% sons and meetings, JGI has erected of animal 10 billboards and hundreds of posters Percentage of respondents that Punishment according 11.1% and delivered conservation-themed ra- believe they know DRC Wildlife to DRC law dio and film programs throughout the communities. These tools not only re- Laws No punishment 6.6% inforced information delivered to pro- Community % of resp. Settled between hunter 1.7% gram participants but also allowed con- Ndjingala 85.7% and forest ranger servation messages to be spread to Walikale Centre 77.8% hundreds of thousands of additional people living in and passing through Itebero 68.4% Percentage of respondents that the Walikale and Lubutu territories. Al- Biruwe 64.4% listed each type of bushmeat eaten though we have received much positive feedback on the program, we will Pinga Centre 61.9% Type of meat % of resp. re-administer the ape conservation Lubutu 60.9% Antelope, monkeys 67.7% awareness survey in order to system- Kalembe 59.1% Porcupine 21.6% atically evaluate the impact the program is having on people’s knowledge Bisie 50.9% Elephant, okapi, 9.5% of and attitudes towards ape conserva- Kasese 39.1% leopard tion. We look forward to continuing our Mubi 30.8% Other bushmeat 0.9% work with our partners to foster respect for apes and the laws protecting apes Average 61.7% Cow, sheep, goat 0.3% and their habitat. Alison Grand, Tammie Bettinger, Dario Percentage of respondents that agreed with each statement Merlo and Debby Cox

Survey statement % of respondents This program would not be possible without our partners that support and contribute to the It is normal to eat ape meat 40.3% program: ICCN, UGADEC, North Kivu Ministry Apes are hunted in my community 50.9% of Environment, North Kivu Ministry of Edu- cation, the Inspections of Education for Wa- likale, Lubutu, and Goma, Kahuzi-Biega Na- tional Park, Maïko National Park, Arcus Foun- Percentage of respondents that agreed with each statement dation, Coopera, Conservation International, Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment, Survey statement % of resp. Flora and Fauna International, Frankfurt Zo- ological Society, Gorilla Organization, Jane Ape conservation education is important 96.0% Goodall Institute-Holland, Jane Goodall In- I would like to participate in ape conservation in my village 98.0% stitute-Spain, Jane Goodall Roots & Shoots, Prince Bernhard Funds for Nature Foundation;

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Wildlife Conservation Society, World Wildlife Fund, Zoological Society of London, Zoos Vic- Two New Grauer’s Gorilla Orphans toria, Center for the Rehabilitation of Primates in Lwiro, and Stella Matutina Hotel. We would On September 13, 2012, a young gorilla was brought to the Kahuzi- also like to congratulate the JGI-DRC edu- Biega National Park headquarters by a community conservation group, who cators on their tremendous accomplishments and acknowledge their remarkable commit- claimed to have been given the baby by the rebel group Raïa Mutomboki. ment to conservation: Kitima Anaclet, Aduka- The baby gorilla was taken from the forest sometime in early August. The ko Amita, Barthelemy Tchangwi, Arajabu Ku- Gorilla Doctors Dawn Zimmerman, Eddy Kambale and Martin Kabuyaya, kay, Zaina Mboasu, Apolina Misingi, Abapolo who were in park that day, examined the infant, a 9-month-old female in Molisho, Samamba Misanda, and Mishonya Mirimo. relatively good condition. She was named Isangi. On September 20, ICCN and local officials successfully undertook a sting operation following a tip-off by local community members, and con- DFGF Grauer’s Gorilla fiscated a 4-month-old female Grauer’s gorilla from men attempting to sell her in Goma. Her captors claimed to have taken the baby from the Wa- Program likale area. They were arrested and transferred to the court authorities in The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Inter Goma. The infant was named Baraka. She was weak and dehydrated after national (DFGFI) has expanded its 2 weeks in captivity. efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to build a new Grauer’s Gorilla Conservation and Re search Program, which is dedicated to research, monitoring, and protection of the Grauer’s (formerly eastern low land) gorilla. In contrast to mountain gorillas, which have been studied in Rwanda at the Fossey Fund’s Karisoke Research Center for some 45 years, there are fewer habituated Grauer’s groups that researchers can observe in the vast forests of eastern DRC. As a result, much less is known about this subspecies. There is no current census of their population numbers, and ac cording to some estimates, there may be as few as 4,000 individuals left in the wild. The Fossey Fund’s new Grauer’s Gorilla Conservation and Research Isangi with her caretaker Photo: Molly Feltner/gorilla doctors Program in DRC aims to assess the numbers and stability of the current Both infants were taken to the Senkwekwe Sanctuary, where they are being population in the region, as well as to cared for by experienced keepers until they eventually will be moved to the study and protect them. This program GRACE center where orphaned Grauer’s gorillas are cared for. is funded through the generosity of Summary of posts from www.gorillacd.org and www.gorilladoctorsblog.org the Turner Foundation, the Daniel K. Thorne Foundation and other donors Although it is good news if gorilla orphans are confiscated and saved in and members of DFGFI. orphanages, it is bad news that they are still captured and traded. There The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is are more sad news: on July 25, 2012, Kaboko – the only male mountain working in collaboration with three gorilla in captivity – died at the age of 9 years. He lived in the Senkwekwe community-based reserves located be- Sanctuary near Rumangabo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, together tween Maïko and Kahuzi-Biega Na- with the females Maisha, Ndeze and Ndakasi. tional Parks – Réserve des Gorilles de Utunda et Watsa (REGOUWA), Ré-

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in collecting data regarding the pres- are essential for exchanging the latest ence and composition of Grauer’s go- news about security in the region. rillas in the reserves. Three teams of Biruwe Research Base is outfitted the Fossey Fund’s Grauer’s Gorilla with state-of-the-art equipment that will Conservation and Research Program allow for direct transmission of data field technicians completed 30 patrols collected in the field to the Dian Fos- in the reserves during the course of the sey Gorilla Fund’s primary research fa- year, with the last patrol returning from cility in Ruhengeri, Rwanda. The Fos- the field at the end of September 2012. sey Fund is aiming for an efficient and Based on evidence of gorilla presence seamless cycle, which transforms the such as nest sites, dung, and food re- on-the-ground efforts of tracking, moni- mains, field staff believe they may have toring, and protecting gorillas into cut- Biruwe field technicians found a group of as many as 35 gorillas ting-edge scientific knowledge that is Photo: DFGFI in the REGOUWA reserve. also applicable for management and In addition to the patrols, the pro- conservation practices. Although the serve des Gorilles de Punia (RGPU), gram also established the Biruwe Re- Fossey Fund is still far from being able and La Conservation Communautaire search Base, the central operating fa- to habituate Grauer’s gorilla groups for de la Réserve Forestière de Bakano cility of the program, and three mo- research, it plans to begin identifying (COCREFOBA). These reserves (see bile bio-monitoring posts, one in each individual gorilla groups from which it map on page 6) form an important eco- reserve. Local people were hired as can collect data on ranging patterns logical corridor between the two nation- field staff and to construct the Biruwe and demography. In the meantime, the al parks and are reported to be home Research Base, strengthening the pro- work that the organization has done to to a significant population of Grauer’s gram’s ties with the communities in the build the infrastructure of the program gorillas. areas where it works. This is impor- has been the fundamental step to ex- Over the year 2011, the Fossey Fund tant not only to make conservation ef- panding its activities in DRC. has made significant steps in building forts sustainable, but also to develop The landscape of DRC is challeng- the program’s infrastructure, as well as informal information networks, which ing in and of itself, as all three bio-

The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Needs Support in Congo

At the beginning of October, we of field technician equipment, such as The Grauer's gorilla is classi- received a mail from Urbain Ngo sleeping bags, raincoat, boots, torch- fied as one of the 25 most- en bobo, the new DFGFI country es, GPS, Camera or whatever you can dangered primates. Conserva- Director for the Democratic Re fund? tion of this gorilla subspecies public of the Congo. He wrote: In the meantime, we transferred in areas that are not protected We are currently based in US$ 1,000 to the project, but of course by the goverment is essential. the bush, in one of the commu- this is only a small portion of what is nity based reserves where we needed. You can either donate to us have established a Grauer’s Go- with the keyword “DFGFI” or to DFGFI Bank Account: rilla Research and Conservation directly (www.gorillafund.org). Account number 353 344 315 base. For that we are hiring lo- Stadtsparkasse Muelheim, cal field technicians who receive Address: Germany from us regular food for patrols, Berggorilla & Regenwald Bank code number 362 500 00 a prime, equipment including uni- Direkthilfe IBAN: form, vehicles, inflatable boat, c/o Rolf Brunner DE06 3625 0000 0353 3443 15 sleeping bags, raincoat, and oth- Lerchenstr. 5 SWIFT-BIC SPMHDE3E ers. Is there a chance to have 45473 Muelheim, Germany Switzerland, Postfinance: support from Berggorilla in term www.berggorilla.org Postscheckkonto 40-461685-7

9 Gorilla Journal 45, December 2012 D. R. CONGO

monitoring posts and the Biruwe Re- bers including The Walt Disney Com- phaned gorillas that came into the or- search Base are located in extreme- pany, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, ganization’s care last month. The Fos- ly remote areas that are difficult, and Dallas Zoo, Denver Zoo, and Houston sey Fund hopes that a dual program in some cases impossible, to access Zoo. Future plans call for GRACE to of research, monitoring, and protec- by car. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund become an independent nonprofit -or tion, which builds on what has been has also faced the additional challeng- ganization registered in the USA and learned through 45 years of research- es brought on by the current crisis in the DRC. ing and protecting mountain gorillas in Congo, which flared up in May 2012. October 2012 has been a time for Rwanda, coupled with rehabilitation of Nevertheless, the Fossey Fund’s ex- the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to both infants who are victims of poaching, will perienced field staff were successful in reflect on its achievements in DRC be the key to conserving and learning navigating the logistical obstacles and and to reckon with ongoing challeng- about the Grauer’s gorilla. political unrest to achieve all of the pro- es, especially in light of the two or- Urbain Ngobobo gram’s goals for this year. Another reason DFGFI’s Grauer’s Gorilla Conservation and Research M23 Update Program is essential to gorilla conservation in the region is to combat the Since May 2012 large portions of the Virunga National Park’s Mikeno continuing problem of illegal gorilla traf- Sector have been occupied by the rebel group M23. Fighting between ficking. In September, the Fossey Fund rebels and the army continued occasionally, and the M23 occupied certain was involved in the confiscation of two towns and lost them again. In July, the fighting had come so close that the infant Grauer’s gorillas (see page 8). It rangers and their families were evacuated from Rumangabo. Four and a is believed that both of them originated half weeks later they were able to return to their homes. in North Kivu province, where the com- At the beginning of August, the rangers were finally able after authoriza- munity reserves they work in are locat- tion by government authorities and M23 rebel commanders to begin a go- ed, marking this area as an epicenter rilla monitoring operation. They searched for the gorilla families and found of gorilla trafficking in the region. Cur- 4 out of 7. Only at the beginning of December, a small team of rangers was rently, the Fossey Fund is supporting again allowed to visit the Mikeno sector to look for the habituated gorillas. the care of these two infant females They found two groups and discovered 4 newborn babies, 3 in the Kabi- by funding their caregivers, food, and rizi family and one in the Munyaga family. Another newborn baby was later supplies at the Senkwekwe Sanctuary found in the Kabirizi group. for mountain gorillas. The infants will Since the increase in FDLR and Maï Maï rebel activity in the central sec- remain in quarantine at Senkwekwe tor and the takeover of the gorilla sector by M23, there has been a renewed until they can be safely transferred to increase in illegal charcoal production that is destroying the park’s forests. the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conser- The M23 are not the only rebels that threaten the Virunga Conservation vation Education (GRACE) center for Area: In Rwanda, an anti-poaching patrol post was attacked on December Grauer’s gorillas. 2nd and tragically one Karisoke staff member, Esdras Nsengiyumva, was GRACE was created at the urging killed by suspected FDLR rebels. of Congo’s wildlife authority (ICCN) on On November 20th, the M23 entered the city of Goma, which had already land donated by the Tayna Center for suffered mass upheaval over the previous days due to the advance of the Conservation Biology, adjacent to the rebels and their clashes with national army troops. In the fighting between Tayna Nature Reserve (RNT, see map government troops and the M23 rebels for the control of Goma, a main elec- on page 6) in eastern Congo. The cent- tricity line was cut, leaving large areas of the city without power or piped wa- er was initiated by the Dian Fossey Go- ter. Moreover, soldiers from the Congolese army looted homes and shops rilla Fund, with funding from the U.S. as they retreated from the M23 rebels. Fish and Wildlife Service; design and On December 1st the rebels withdrew from Goma again after the Con- construction assistance from The Walt golese government had agreed to hold peace talks. Before they left, they Disney Company’s Animal Programs; also looted and took everything they could use, especially vehicles, weap- and technical expertise from PASA. ons and ammunition that the Congolese army had left behind when the GRACE is a conservation project of troops fled. DFGFI’s Gorilla Council, and overseen From the blog on gorillacd.org as well as articles of various media by GRACE Governing Council mem-

10 Gorilla Journal 45, December 2012 RWANDA

Eucalyptus – An Intro- preparations of their native medicines, have taken root in African soil, some this information having been abused more beneficial than others. In -Ugan duced Medicinal Food for in the past. The leaves of all eucalypts da’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Mountain Gorillas? possess oil glands, which can also be the invasion of Eucalyptus spp. and In the past decade or more, thousands found in the buds, petioles, flowers and Acacia mearnsii has spread uncontrol- of seedlings and saplings have been young fruit of many species. In addi- lably (Karlowski & Weiche 1997). planted in the Democratic Republic of tion, a number of types produce oils in An attractive feature of the eucalypts the Congo and Rwanda in an effort to the bark. is their rapid growth rate, with some alleviate the relentless destruction of With about 450 species, eucalypts species attaining enormous heights indigenous forests by wood-cutters and are, in the main, hardy and adapta- and absorbing vast quantities of wa- also to promote agro-forestry. Grevillea ble, having been successfully intro- ter that can seriously disrupt the ecol- robustus (Australian silver oak), Cal duced into many parts of the world for ogy of some biomes. Deforestation and liandra, Leucaena, Maesopsis, Mark a broad range of commercial and do- land misuse have created problems, hamia, Acacia mearnsii (Black wattle), mestic uses. In tropical Africa, euca- even with native species. cypress, Erythrina absyssinica and lypts were introduced into Nigeria at On the positive side, some eucalypts Eucalyptus maideni (Maiden’s gum) the start of the 20th century, while plan- have contributed significantly to African have all been introduced (Sikubwabo tations were established in Angola in ethnomedicine locally. Healers in the Kiyengo 2011; Vhosi & Sikubwabo the 1930s to provide fuel wood for loco- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park exploit Kiyengo 2010). In Rwanda, particularly, motives of the Benguela railway. Both the leaves of one species to produce plantations of fast-growing Eucalyptus Malawi and Mozambique created plan- a vapour for nasal and chest conges- spp. are well-established and have tations of Eucalyptus spp. and Pinus tion, while these leaves are also used, provided gorillas with an unexpected spp. in recent decades (Sayer et al. together with Targeta minuta (Mexican food source. The apes are passionate 1992) as have other countries on the marigold) and Hypericum revolutum, to for the gum exuded by injured trees, continent as well as in Madagascar. treat flu, colds and whooping cough even crossing open ground to gain Parts of the Congo Basin have been (Hord 1996). Likewise, the people of access to the plantations. colonized, with plantations of Eucalyp- the Southern Blue Nile district of Su- While gorillas are fond of the bark tus sp. and Pinus sp., covering 320 km2 dan utilize the leaves of E. camaldu- and sap of some trees, their exploi- and 10 km2 respectively, being created lensis for respiratory diseases, and ap- tation of eucalypts (Myrtaceae) might near Pointe Noire, Republic of Con- ply fresh leaves to affected parts to tar- seem surprising, given that many spe- go, in the 1970s, with a further 100 get rheumatism (El-Kamali & El-Khalifa cies are potentially toxic; they can pos- km2 planned for the coastal region with 1999). sess harmful hydrocyanic and prussic much greater areas of savannah ear- E. maideni, a species established acids. Some of the volatile or essen- marked. Neighbouring Gabon has also in Rwanda, is one of the smooth-bark tial oils, however, contain therapeutic played host, although a project to con- ed “gum” eucalypts. When the bark properties. A primary agent is cineole, vert 227 km2 into further Eucalyptus is stripped volatile oils seep into the a powerful antimicrobial that is found in plantations was abandoned in 1982 in wound in the form of a gum, which then the majority of eucalypt species, but to favour of more traditional crops (Say- solidifies to form a protective antiseptic varying degrees of potency. E. maid- er et al. 1992). According to Penfold resin. It is this sap that the gorillas fa- eni, for example, has 50% cineole, as & Willis (1961), a small area of 500 ha vour, de-barking many trees in the pro- well as pinene. Other typical chemicals had been planted with Eucalyptus spp. cess. Unfortunately, gorillas do not re- with germicidal activity in the eucalypts over a 25-year period in the Bamenda strict the damage to bark stripping, but include cuminal, phallandra, crytone highlands, Cameroon, with E. maideni, big males can and do snap medium- and phenol (Penfold & Willis 1961). E. robusta and E. saligna producing the sized trees in half, causing havoc, and The potential for these therapeu- best results. Interestingly, in Gabon the leaving the Rwandan Government to tic agents has long been recognized leaves of E. robusta are made into an reimburse the plantation owners. by native Australians and incorporat- herbal tea for the arrest of malarial fe- The eucalypts have always been ed into their folk medicines, while early ver (Raponda-Walker & Sillans 1961). popular in many human societies for European colonists were quick to take It is worth considering the impact, their pleasant aroma, efficiency in kill- advantage of these new therapeutic favourable or otherwise, of introduced ing bacteria, and as an applied antisep- oils. Sadly, the Aborigines no longer species on regional ecologies. Over tic. Mountain gorillas in Rwanda have share the secrets of the ingredients and the centuries a great many alien plants “discovered” a new plant food that has

11 Gorilla Journal 45, December 2012 UGANDA

Vhosi, J. & Sikubwabo Kiyengo, C. (2010): been introduced into their domain in 500 relatively recent times, and one that School tree nurseries to save the gorillas of Mount Tshiaberimu. Gorilla Journal 40, 9–11 may be as medically beneficial to them 400 as it has to people. 300 Many primate species have adapted Bwindi Gorilla Number 200 to exploiting cultivated plants, some of Increased which may possess medicinal or even 100 psychoactive compounds. When goril- A census of the gorillas in Bwindi Im las were reintroduced into the Lefini re- penetrable National Park conducted in 1997 2002 2006 2011 gion, Republic of Congo, 5 males failed 2011 confirms a minimum population traditional method to integrate socially and formed a gang of 400 gorillas, raising the world pop genetic census of malcontents. They left the reserve ulation of mountain gorillas to 880. to ravage nearby plantations, including While it was initially planned to include Bwindi gorilla census results marijuana (cannabis) crops (John Aspi- Sarambwe Nature Reserve in Congo, nall Foundation Online 2006). it was not possible to do so due to cial groups and 16 solitary males. Ten Although the practice of animals de- insecurity in the Sarambwe area at of these social groups are habituated liberately seeking inebriation, and thus the time of the census. The results to human presence for either tourism rendering themselves vulnerable to ac- could not be released earlier because or research. At the time of the census, cident and injury or as easy targets for samples taken during the census were 168 gorillas or 42% of the Bwindi popu- predators, appears contrary to logic, analyzed genetically, which took a long lation were habituated. reports suggest that, like humans, they time. From an IGCP Press Release sometimes throw caution to the wind in The increase in the Bwindi popula- exchange for mind-altering sensations. tion since the last census, from 302 in The census was conducted by the Uganda In northern Republic of Congo a very 2006 to 400 in 2011, is attributed to im- Wildlife Authority with support from l’Institut relaxed mangabey was observed by proved censusing techniques as well Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature and the Rwanda Development Board. It was Nugent (1993) chewing the branches as real population growth. During two also supported by the International Gorilla and leaves of cannabis plants, while in sweeps of Bwindi the census teams Conservation Programme, the Max Planck the Petit Loango National Park, Gabon, could find more gorillas than during a Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Con servation Through Public Health, the Mountain one particular elephant became noto- single sweep; it is likely that some go- Gorilla Veterinary Project, the Institute of Trop rious for its belligerent behaviour af- rillas were missed in the 2006 census. ical Forest Conservation, and the Dian Fossey ter eating the powerful stimulant Taber- But all signs indicate that this gorilla Gorilla Fund International. It was funded by nanthe iboga (V. Stirling, pers. comm.). population is indeed growing. WWF-Sweden with supplemental support from Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe, the Don Cousins The 400 gorillas in Bwindi Impene- Wildlife Conservation Society, and the Max trable National Park form 36 distinct so- Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. References El-Kamali, H. H. & El-Khalifa, K. F. (1999): Folk medicinal plants of riverside forests of southern Blue Nile District, Sudan. Fitoterapia 70, 493–497 Hord, A. L. (1996): Guide Handbook Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Kisoro, Uganda, East Africa) Medical Plants. University of Oregon Karlowski, U. & Weiche, I. (1997): Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Gorilla Journal 15, 15–16 Nugent, R. (1993): Drums along the Congo. New York Penfold, A. R. & Willis, J. L. (1961): The Eucalypts. London (Leonard Hill) Raponda-Walker, A. & Sillans, R. (1961): Les plants utiles du Gabon. Paris Sayer, J. A. et al. (1992): The conservation atlas of tropical forests. Africa. New York Sikubwabo Kiyengo, C. (2011): Sarambwe Re- serve integrated management support project. Gorilla Journal 42, 5–8 Census training with A. Basabose Photo: Anna Behm Masozera/IGCP

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Gorilla Guardian Up date: Expansion of the Community-based Monitoring Network

The Cross River gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli) is Critically Endangered, with perhaps fewer than 250 individuals remaining within their range, which occupies a small area of forests straddling the border between Nigeria and Cameroon. Until 2008 the entire population of remaining Cross River gorillas in Cameroon occurred outside of any existing protection area, and despite recent successes that resulted in the creation of two new protected areas (Takamanda National Park and Kagwene Gorilla Sanctuary) there still remain a significant portion of gorillas that inhabit forests outside these protected areas. Surveys have revealed that perhaps Takpe chief receiving WCS in the community as much as half of Cameroon’s goril- Photo: WCS/TMLP las inhabit forested areas that are under no formal protection. Therefore it is collaborate with local hunters, to gath- The program was formally estab- critical that some kind of conservation er information related to Cross River lished in January 2009 with the selec- management strategy is implemented gorilla distribution, status, and threats. tion and training of the first 6 Gorilla to bring as many of these unprotected The information gathered is then used Guardians from communities (Ashun- gorilla groups as possible within some in supporting Cross River gorilla con- da, Bachama, Awuri, Takpe, Mbu, and form of protection. However many of servation, awareness-raising, and con- Nga) in three main forest areas adja- these sites are difficult to access, due servation planning. Gorilla Guardians cent to important Cross River gorilla to their remoteness and the rugged- are selected by their communities and sites – Mbulu forest, northern Mone ness of the terrain, posing a problem undergo training in gorilla ecology and forest, and Mawambi Hills. In 2011, two for conducting survey work and ongo- nest identification, monitoring and data additional communities were added to ing monitoring. Government also has collection, and Cameroon wildlife law. the program with the inclusion of Esho- very limited capacity to mount protec- They serve as conservation ambas- bi and Kunku located between Mbulu tion efforts in many of these areas. As sadors in their communities, and carry and Mone forests, filling in a critical gap a result of these challenges the “Gorilla out monitoring of gorillas and of illegal in the landscape. Guardians”, a community-based moni- activities. Since the establishment of Continued interest in the program by toring network, was initiated in 2008 as the program, Gorilla Guardians work- other communities in the area permit- a means of stimulating the involvement ing in collaboration with local hunters ted the expansion of the program to the of local communities and enlisting them have recorded observations and col- eastern side of Mone forest. In Janu- in gorilla monitoring and conservation. lected data that have provided updated ary 2012, Gorilla Guardians from Ame- The main objective of the Gorilla distribution information for gorillas in bishu and Batambe underwent training Guardian program is to engage the co- each site. In their role, Gorilla Guard- and began collecting data in March. operation of the leaders of communi- ians act as liaisons between their com- There are plans to continue to strength- ties with traditional rights over unpro- munities and government to gather vi- en the program before the end of 2012 tected forest areas where Cross Riv- tal data, forming a network for sharing with the selection and training of a new er gorillas are known to occur, and to information and raising awareness. Gorilla Guardian from Mantoh village,

13 Gorilla Journal 45, December 2012 CROSS RIVER

this section of the landscape. As a result of the Gorilla Guardian monitoring we have much more accurate estimates of the group numbers and move- ments. Current estimates indicate that there are possibly 29 gorillas inhabiting the Mone Forest Reserve, 22 gorillas in the Mawambi Hills, and 14 gorillas in the Mbulu forest. Mapping of the nest site data along with reports from hunters has revealed that gorillas are mov- ing in areas outside of the previously described distributions. Continued monitoring should allow us to determine if this is a temporary movement or if gorillas are beginning to move back into forested areas that were part of their historical range. The original goals of the program were 1) to collect more regular data on the status and distribution of gorillas; 2) Distribution of Cross River gorilla nest sites recorded in forests near the to serve as a link between conservation Gorilla Guardian communities from January 2009 to June 2012 authorities and the communities, particularly to act as informants reporting on the eastern side of Mone forest, Cross River gorilla nests have been re- threats to gorillas (and chimpanzees); and assessing the interest of additional corded since the inception of the pro- and 3) to build awareness within their communities near critical gorilla habitat gram. The details of this data combined communities and serve as a source in joining the network. with additional observations made in of information regarding conservation Through the community-based mon- the field are permitting us to make bet- issues. The Gorilla Guardian network itoring conducted by the Gorilla Guard- ter estimates of the numbers of gorillas has shown itself to be a very effective ian network, a total of 661 nest sites that inhabit these forests and to better means for collecting data and involving containing 3,667 individual weaned understand how they are distributed in communities in the monitoring of Cross

Gorilla nest site data recorded in forests near the Gorilla Guardian communities from January 2009 to June 2012

Communities/ 2009–2010 2010–2011 2011–2012 Totals Forest Areas # of # of # of # of # of # of # of # of # of Total # Total # of Total # nest ground tree nest ground tree nest ground tree of nest ground of tree sites nests nests sites nests nests sites nests nests sites to nests to nests to date date date Takpe/Awuri 74 340 140 – – – 58 256 128 132 605 268 Mbu/Nga 86 272 285 86 288 211 88 309 132 260 869 628 Ashunda/ 91 324 226 60 196 76 84 224 93 235 744 395 Bachama Eshobi/ Kunku – – – 7 15 11 10 18 18 17 33 29 Amebishu – – – – – – 11 38 25 11 38 25 Batambe – – – – – – 6 18 15 6 18 15 Totals 251 936 651 153 499 298 257 872 411 661 2307 1360

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ful that additional funds will be secured References permitting more complete implemen- Ikfuingei, R. (2012): Gorilla Guardian: A Com- munity-based Monitoring Network progress re- tation of the conservation education port for July 2011 to June 2012. Unpublished strategy in subsequent years. The Go- report submitted to the Wildlife Conservation rilla Guardians have also expressed a Society, the US Fish & Wildlife Service, the Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundation, Bergo- desire to support each other to devel- rilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe, and the Came- op and disseminate conservation mes- roon Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife. Edits: A. sages in each of the Gorilla Guardian C. Nchanji & C. M. Jameson (in draft) communities. Nicholas, A. (2008): A New Approach to Go- rilla Conservation: Gorilla Guardians. Gorilla A result of these measures is that Journal 37 no hunting of Cross River gorillas has Nicholas, A. (2009): Gorilla Guardians Gain Collecting nest data at Mbu/Nga been reported since the inception of Momentum. Gorilla Journal 39 Photo: WCS/TMLP the program in January 2009. Oates, J. et al. (2007): Regional Action Plan forest for the Conservation of the Cross River Gorilla Monitoring by the Gorilla Guardian (Gorilla gorilla diehli). IUCN/SSC Primate Spe- River gorillas. With regard to the first network and its continued expansion cialist Group and Conservation International, two goals, the network has provided a to additional villages have created a Arlington, VA, USA wealth of knowledge related to the sta- true community-based conservation tus and distribution of less-known go- program where local communities are Suitable Environ- rilla groups. It has proven itself to be a actively participating in conservation cost-effective and efficient way of mon- actions. These actions are working to ments for Apes itoring the most vulnerable and remote ensure a future for Cross River goril- The aim of this research was to gorilla populations. las and other species along with the predict the distribution of suitable As the program has evolved we forests that both humans and wildlife environmental conditions (SEC) have seen progress as well with efforts depend on. for eight African great ape taxa for to raise awareness of conservation is- Chris Jameson a first time period, the 1990s, and sues in the Gorilla Guardian commu- then project it to a second period, nities. In May 2012, with the addition We are grateful for the past and ongoing finan- the 2000s, in order to assess the of a Conservation Education Officer, cial assistance received by the program from relative importance of factors the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Margot basic conservation education activities Marsh Biodiversity Foundation, and Berggo- influencing SEC distribution and were launched with community mem- rilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe. to estimate rates of SEC loss, bers and schools, and we are hope- isolation and fragmentation over the last two decades. Total SEC area was approximately 2,015,480 and 1,807,653 km2 in the 1990s and 2000s, respectively. Loss of predicted SEC appeared highest for Cross River gorillas (–59%), followed by eastern gorillas (–52%), then western lowland gorillas (–32%). This first continent-wide per- spective of African ape SEC distribution shows dramatic declines in recent years.

Junker, J. et al. (2012) Recent decline in suitable environmental conditions for African great apes. Diversity and Distributions 18, Gorilla Guardian team crossing hammock bridge in Eshobi community 1077–1099 Photo: WCS/Albert Ekinde

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The Shifting Trend of Ape in other protected primate species. termined and organized criminal activ- The organizational capacity needed to ity. Four young gorillas were smuggled Trafficking in Africa carry out his activities highlighted what from Cameroon in 2006 through Nige- In recent years, the trafficking of Afri it takes to do a successful business, ria to Taiping zoo in Malaysia. The ani- ca’s apes has evolved into a highly illegal wildlife trade in this case. Great mals ended up in a South African zoo. organized criminal activity, but the ape trafficking may have been raised It took the combined efforts of both the situation has remained largely ignor to a high profile professional illegal Cameroonian and South African gov- ed. Increasing enforcement of laws activity on the African continent. This ernments and animal welfare non-gov- around the continent has played an is demonstrated by the manner in ernmental organizations to arrange important role in uncovering and re which powerful traffickers use their for the gorillas to be returned to their porting what may turn out to be the perfected operational skill to run the homeland, Cameroon. Smuggling four final straw as far as ape conservation illicit trade alongside other illegal ac gorillas, travelling through many coun- is concerned – the professionalism of tivity such as the trade in drugs. The tries, across thousands of miles and traffickers. In January 2006, wildlife connection between drugs and wildlife through several check points, need- law enforcement officials in Cameroon trafficking, and increasing prices for ed sophisticated logistics and organi- arrested a trafficker, some 130 km wildlife products, are attracting criminal zation; it needed an organized group from the capital city, Yaounde. He syndicates with vast experience in of traffickers with substantial financial was arrested while in possession of a organized crime, as is typical for drug resources. Ape traffickers seeming- young chimpanzee alongside 4 large syndicates. ly have all of these and even more, sacks of marijuana, each weighing at This high level of organization has as more operations in the Cameroon least 50 kg, and another kind of drug been observed in many other wildlife would reveal. Some of the trafficking which he admitted to be cocaine. cases. Wildlife law enforcement oper- is carried out using a different strategy The drugs and apes dealer had been ations in Cameroon, following the in- and tactic but with equal seriousness – employing at least 5 poachers and, tensification of the fight against wildlife and devastating impact. before his arrest, he regularly traded trafficking in the country, uncovered de- The arrest of a cyber-trafficker in South West Province, Cameroon in January 2009 was significant in that it revealed changing strategies and tac- tics. The man had previously shipped 22 consignments of primate skulls to the United States from his base, using the internet. He admitted to having turned over revenue to the tune of 22,000 US$ and to have been conducting wildlife trafficking over the internet for 2 years. This operation emphasised the extent of the illegal trade in primates to distant places and the profile of today’s trafficker who is able to use modern technology to his advantage. The use of modern technology is clear- ly opening up new avenues for trafficking and even working to complement traditional trafficking methods. In December 2005, on board a French flight en route to Russia from Kinshasa were a Ukrainian and a Con- golese with a French passport and in the bag they were ferrying was a baby Wildlife law enforcement operation in East of Cameroon led to arrest of bonobo. They had a permit from the traffickers in gorilla parts. Photo: LAGA Congolese Ministry of Agriculture, and

16 Gorilla Journal 45, December 2012 GORILLAS

this suggested that this was something ly known, but an equally worrying trade creased incomes, encouraged urban that had been done before. French of- in apes by Chinese nationals exists migration and, in the absence of alter ficials stopped the two but were rath- alongside the trade in ivory. The grow- native sources of fresh animal protein, er more concerned about fears of the ing significance of ape trafficking and increased demand for bushmeat. Com spread of the ebola virus than about its devastating effect on wildlife popu- mercial hunting has been facilitated by the trafficking itself, and the pair were lations is gradually becoming apparent, large-scale road development as part of allowed to continue their journey with and many are now beginning to realise the government’s “Roads for Everyone the bonobo. Similarly, the seizure by how dangerous and important is the by 2020” scheme. As firearms have be French customs officials at Paris’s trade. According to the GALF report, come more affordable, hunters have Charles de Gaulle airport of huge quan- live chimpanzee trafficking in Guinea is switched from trapping to the use tities of bushmeat from passengers flourishing and involves many other na- of shotguns which has enabled the travelling aboard a French flight from tionalities including Lebanese, Ameri- targeting of primates, including the Bangui demonstrates the scope of the cans and Spaniards, and the case of western lowland gorilla (Kümpel et al. trade, and the involvement of a former an American who comes into the coun- 2008). Central African prime minister, whose try every year to buy chimpanzees is The thriving oil and construction luggage contained meat from protect- reported by GALF officials. industries, as well as other econom- ed primate species, points to high lev- Countless stories of similar gravity ic opportunities, have led to an influx el involvement in trafficking. The prime may explain the worsening crisis fac- of expatriate workers who are further minister was simply fined. Apes, spe- ing Africa’s great apes. Every African impacting on primate populations by cifically, chimpanzees and gorillas, and country has suffered, with increasing creating demand for infants as pets their meat constitute an important pro- profit margins for ape traffickers. This or attractions in restaurants and bars. portion of the illegal trade in wildlife is boosting the trade and attracting all Expatriates also frequently buy infant species on the continent today. sorts of people, from the small time lo- primates out of misguided concern, The case of Guinea is very specific cal trafficker who kills apes in the wild the buyers not realising that by pay- and revealing on the issue. The country for their meat and orphans, to the big ing money to “rescue” one individual has been identified as a centre for pro- time criminal syndicates who are gen- they are fuelling demand and encour- fessional and organized trafficking in erally after live apes, doing big busi- aging the killing of more. With no hunt- live apes. A recent report by the brand ness and earning huge profits. The ing or trade restrictions enforced inside new Guinean wildlife law enforcement trade is shifting its momentum from or outside protected areas, gorillas and support project, known by its French simple bushmeat trade, involving lo- other primates are under severe pres- acronym GALF, states that over 100 cals only, to major transnational activ- sure. chimpanzees and 10 gorillas were il- ity attracting professionals. The conse- In response to the scale of the threat legally exported from the country since quences may just be too strong to bear. that hunting poses to primates and the 2010. The preferred destination for Eric Kaba Tah risk of zoonotic disease transmission, apes leaving Guinea is China. Inves- Presidential Decree no. 72/2007 came tigations and operations carried out in On 22 October 2012, Ofir Drori, the into force in October 2007 which pro- June and July of 2012 led to the arrest founder of LAGA, was awarded the hibits the hunting, sale, consumption of a Chinese national in Guinea who prestigious WWF Duke of Edin- and possession of all primate species implicated two others in the trafficking burgh Conservation Medal for 2012 in Equatorial Guinea. Initial sensitiza- of 3 chimpanzees which were about to at Buckingham Palace in London. tion efforts had some impact on the be exported to China. Congratulations! number of primate carcasses detected The growing severity of trafficking at bushmeat markets, but the lack of in apes in recent years has been com- enforcement quickly led to the resump- pounded by Chinese involvement in Orphan Gorilla Confisca- tion of hunting and overt trade in en- the trade. With a burgeoning middle tion in Equatorial Guinea dangered species (BBPP 2010). class in China, illegal trade on the con- Triggers Government In June 2012, there were reports tinent is growing extremely fast to satis- Awareness Campaign from members of the public that an fy the demand in China and other Asian infant gorilla had been acquired and economies. Chinese involvement in the Equatorial Guinea is experiencing a was being kept illegally at an expatri- illegal ivory trade has long been estab- dramatic oil-fuelled economic boom ate beach restaurant. Due to the popu- lished and its consequences are wide- which over the last decade has in larity of this restaurant, it was deemed

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essential to make an example of this case by instigating a high-profile confiscation to dissuade others from buying infant apes. After extensive planning and preparation, the gorilla and two monkeys were successfully confiscated by the government’s Ministry of Fisheries and Environment with support from the Zoological Society of Lon- don (ZSL) and Conservation Interna- tional. The confiscation took place in the presence of the national press and customers at the restaurant who were given information about the law and the negative conservation implications of buying infant primates. With no facility to house confiscated animals in Equatorial Guinea, assistance was sought from the Pan Af- rican Sanctuary Alliance (PASA) and, in collaboration with the Cameroonian government and with logistical support Afangui meeting other orphan gorillas at the Ape Action Africa sanctuary from an oil company, the confiscated in Cameroon Photo: ZSL primates were transported to sanctuaries in neighbouring Cameroon. The rica sanctuary where she is now read- Limbe Wildlife Centre. 2-year-old female gorilla, who was justing to life with other infant gorillas The confiscation turned into a cata- named Afangui meaning “a forest of in the forest. The other primates con- lyst for a government-initiated aware- gorillas” in the local Fang language, fiscated, a mandrill and a moustached ness raising campaign around main- was transported to the Ape Action Af- guenon, were offered sanctuary at the land Equatorial Guinea. Ministry officials distributed leaflets about the Decree and destroyed seized primate carcasses during an initial tour of two districts, and the campaign continues. The collaborative effort between gov- ernments, NGOs and the private sector which was required during this confiscation highlights the urgent need for capacity to be built, infrastructure to be developed and a procedural framework to be put in place to enable the Ministry to enforce the law and confiscate live primates independently in future. There is a wealth of regional expertise both in terms of wildlife law enforcement and primate husbandry which needs to be harnessed to develop a strategy for en- forcing the law and providing adequate protection for primates in Equatorial Guinea. Ministry officials, press reporters and police at the beach restaurant ZSL is one of the international con- during the confiscation Photo: ZSL servation organizations with a pres-

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ence in Equatorial Guinea. The aim of from the Ministry of Fisheries and Environ- raising international attention for the the ZSL project is to work with local ment, Heidi Ruffler from Conservation Interna- conservation of this area. tional, Rachel Hogan and Caroline McLaney communities to develop sustainable al- from Ape Action Africa, Julie Sherman from Today, the PHP has two research ternatives to bushmeat. Becoming di- the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance and Ain- stations, Bai Hokou and Mongambe. rectly involved in live animal confisca- are Idoiaga from Limbe Wildlife Centre, as There are currently two habituated go- well as Miila Kauppinen who is an intern with tions is beyond the scope of this pro- ZSL. The ZSL project in Equatorial Guinea rilla groups, named after their silver- ject. However, with so few boots on works in close collaboration with the govern- backs Makumba and Mayele, and a the ground, and given the severity of ment through INDEFOR-AP and is supported further two groups are under process the problem, there is a need to sup- by grants from the USFWS Great Ape Conser- of habituation. As a result of daily group vation Fund, Rufford Foundation, Mohamed port such interventions when neces- bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, Sea- follows, the locally-employed guides sary. Now it is essential that partner- World Busch Gardens Conservation Fund and are uniquely placed to monitor the go- ships are developed with experts who Hess Equatorial Guinea Inc. rillas as well as to guide visitors and can assist further with mitigating this enforce tracking rules. To increase spe- problem. References cies knowledge and ensure the long- BBPP (2010): Opportunities lost: the rapidly Building on the momentum that this deteriorating conservation status of the term well-being of the gorillas, project confiscation has started, funding is be- monkeys on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea. data are collected by guides on habit- ing sought to facilitate meetings be- Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program uation level and behavioural ecology. Kümpel, N. F. et al. (2008): Impact of gun- tween regional experts and the Min- hunting on diurnal primates in continental Additionally, the PHP’s staff assess the istry of Fisheries and Environment to Equatorial Guinea. International Journal of health of the habituated gorilla groups assist in developing the necessary pro- Primatology 29 (4), 1065–1082 via a health monitoring programme, cedural framework. The priorities are whose goal is to collect data in order to to review the existing legal framework assess the “normal” health status, i.e. and suggest appropriate amendments, Guide Refresher baseline, and future risks (Todd, pers. agree on a strategy for the placement Training at Bai Hokou comm.). It is thus of utmost importance of confiscated primates, continue to and Mongambe, Central to regularly evaluate the staff’s perfor- raise awareness of the Decree and oth- African Republic mance through training to ensure ad- er wildlife laws at the national level and herence to PHP protocols and revise train law enforcers in the implementa- The Primate Habituation Programme and improve data collection standards. tion of these laws to ensure appropriate (PHP) in the Central African Republic Notwithstanding continuous direct sanctions are levied. is an integral part of the conservation anti-poaching efforts, the role of long- We should not underestimate the activities of Dzanga-Sangha Protected term field projects such as the PHP role of the Regional Delegate of Fisher- Areas and aims to conserve the remains vital in the face of increasing ies and Environment, Elias Ondo Edjo, Critically Endangered western lowland human pressure, and given their long- which was critical to the success of the gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) through term aim to prevent gorilla populations gorilla confiscation. Harnessing the po- habituation for research and tourism. from declining further. High levels of litical will of champions within the gov- So far, the PHP has greatly contributed training and expertise are required to ernment is essential. It is hoped that to the conservation of western gorillas, obtain reliable and valid data on indi- through this collaborative process we protecting their habitat and supporting vidual-based life history of the gorillas, can help to conserve gorillas and the numerous studies on their ecology and and to facilitate tourism. Staff training other 8 species of primate considered behaviour. The PHP was initiated in is cited as the most common strategy at risk of extinction in Equatorial Guin- 1998 at the Bai Hokou study site in to improve the staff’s job performance, ea. the Dzanga-Ndoki National Park. The and plays an important role in achieving Juliet Wright area includes a large number of forest institutional objectives (Stone 1997). clearings, named “bais”, which attract In the same manner, a number of There were many individuals involved with the high densities of wildlife to the area, studies or reports underline the impor- confiscation and subsequent care of Afangui and the other primates. Since this was the first and harbours significant populations of tance of providing regular, high qual- confiscation of its kind in Equatorial Guinea, other mammal species including forest ity staff training in great ape habitu- the efforts of these individuals to make this elephants, bongos, forest buffaloes ation programmes to ensure adher- confiscation a success were greatly appreci- and agile mangabeys, as well as a ence to the rules and to closely monitor ated. In particular, I would like to acknowledge the involvement of Santiago Francisco Engon- multitude of bird species. The gorillas these endangered animals (e.g. Hanes ga, Elias Ondo Edjo and Santiago Biyang Mba therefore serve as a flagship species, 2012; Homsy 1999; Macfie & William-

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experiences and focused on interac- tion and practice. Monitoring and evaluation are im- perative to the process of any training event (Kopylova & Danilina 2011). Adequate monitoring will allow small changes to be made during the training, adapting the training content, deliv- ery techniques and materials used according to the needs of the target audi- ence. Such evaluation permits training plans to be developed, adjusted and improved, and thenceforth enhances the effectiveness of training efforts by minimising the costs and increasing the programme’s credibility, such as to donors and foundations; the evaluation of training efforts furthermore enables Angelique Todd providing training to the guides on the collection of documentation and distribution of in- gorilla ranging data, June 11th 2011 in Bayanga. During this part of the formation on successful programmes training the guides conducted a practical assessment regarding the to beneficiaries (Jacobson & Robinson, mapping of ranging patterns, which is part of their daily activities. 1990). Photo: Thirza A. C. Loffeld In this evaluation we appraised the effectiveness of the guide refresher son 2010; Sandbrook & Semple 2006). gelique Todd, WWF Primate Habitua- training given in June 2011. Training In the previous issue of Gorilla Jour- tion and Tourism Advisor for DSPA, in was evaluated by 1) a practical assess- nal, Hanes (2012) described the risk June 2011 to the nine PHP guides, di- ment comprising the evaluation of the of disease transmission between tour- vided into two groups. nine guides whilst collecting baseline ists and mountain gorillas habituated Since the participants’ motivation data on the two groups of habituat- for tourism in Bwindi Impenetrable Na- to learn is essential to the success ed western lowland gorillas (Makumba tional Park, Uganda, principally arising of training, a questionnaire was dis- and Mayele) and by 2) a knowledge as a result of the 7-m distance rule not tributed among the guides two weeks assessment involving a questionnaire being properly enforced and the subse- before the training. The questions in- pre- and post-training as a method to quent extreme proximity of humans to volved the guides’ 1) perceptions on evaluate the nine guides’ learning pro- the gorillas. One of Hanes’ recommen- the gorilla tracking rules and data col- cess. Data for the practical assessment dations is to provide the staff with more lection methods, 2) opinions on conser- were collected pre- and post-training frequent and better quality refresher vation-related aspects of their job, and over a total period of 8 weeks from training in order to improve enforce- 3) job satisfaction, by asking about the May to July 2011. We compared each ments of the rules. challenges encountered in their job. Fi- of the guides’ skills by means of tests The Primate Habituation Program nally, the guides could indicate their for inter-observer reliability regarding me currently employs just under 60 na- preference for future training subjects data collection. The knowledge as- tional staff and a varying number of and the frequency of training. The re- sessment consisted of a written test on national and international researchers sults of this questionnaire were incor- gorilla biology, behaviour and ecology, and volunteers. Given the recent ex- porated into the design of the training rules and regulations, and data collec- pansion of the PHP teams, it is a pri- so as to specifically tailor the training tion methods. The questions were de- ority for the Dzanga-Sangha Protect- to the guides’ needs. When provid- signed based on the outcome of ques- ed Areas (DSPA) to organize in-depth ing training, it is furthermore important tionnaire A, and the “refresher” informa- training and knowledge assessment for that trainees are able to implement the tion given during the training reinforced new and old guides alike. Therefore a knowledge and skills gained (Jacob- the trainees’ ability to answer these. To two-day guide refresher training pro- son et al. 2006; Stone 1997). The PHP further assess the effectiveness of the gram was designed and given by An- training was therefore based on real training, questions were asked on the

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participants’ opinion on the training, as recommended by the IUCN guidelines on Protected Area Staff Training (Kopy- lova & Danilina 2011). Results of the knowledge assessment illustrated that the training increased the knowledge of seven of the nine guides assessed. Contrary to our expectations, only three guides demonstrated an improvement in data collection methods, which may be explained by several reasons such as the small sample size per guide, resulting from time limitations, and the difference in experience between observers (varying from less than 6 months to up to and over 10 years of experience). How- ever, when we removed outliers (N = 2), the experienced guides as well as the less experienced guides demonstrated an increase in inter-observer reliability. High inter-observer reliability is only one of the conditions to ensure validity of research (Caro et al. 1979), though it serves as an indicator that the data collection by the PHP guides became more standardised after the refresher training. At both PHP’s research stations western lowland gorillas are successfully habituated, which has contributed to the protection of this species while permitting both gorilla tourism and field research. An important aim of the PHP is to regularly evaluate their staff’s work Silverback Makumba crossing a bai bipedally Photo: Thirza A. C. Loffeld performance and maintain high quality data collection as well as adequate en- objective of creating a standardised dearth of information on training evalu- forcements of the gorilla tracking rules methodology for assessing guide train- ation assessments in great ape habitu- and regulations. The 2011 evaluation ing at the PHP, and furthermore collect- ation programmes. With an eye on the took place 1–4 weeks after the training, ed baseline data for future PHP staff future of our close relatives the goril- depending on the guides’ work sched- evaluations. We recommend that these las, we would like to continue sharing ule. Recent guidelines however rec- types of evaluations become a perma- the lessons learned from prospective ommend evaluating the results of the nent policy for all primate habituation training evaluations at the PHP with the training 3–12 months after the train- programmes to ensure accurate long- conservation community. ing, to assess changes over the longer term monitoring of habituated primates Thirza A. C. Loffeld term (Kopylova & Danilina 2011). The and continued animal wellbeing, and PHP would therefore like to continue hence the sustainability of such con- This article is based on the results of more systematic evaluation of training efforts servation programmes. extensive MSc-research conducted by and the dissemination of the lessons Given that the process of evaluation Thirza Loffeld. For further information about the questionnaire, practical assessment learned from future evaluations. is critical to the success of training, we and/or knowledge assessments used at the Through this study we fulfilled the would like here to call attention to the 2011 training and evaluation at the Primate

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Habituation Programme, please contact Thir [Online]. Retrieved on 3 August 2011 from species are, however, facing the usual za Loffeld at [email protected]. For Biodiversity Support Program publications threats that arise both inside and further information on the Primate Habituation database: Programme please contact Angelique Todd at http://www.bsponline.org/publications/ outside of Africa: habitat destruction and [email protected]. fragmentation, poaching for bushmeat, and the illegal trade in wildlife. We would like to thank the Ministry of Water, Forests, Hunting and Fishing and the Ministry The Bambidie Gorillas In order to safeguard the long-term of Education in the Central African Republic future of the gorillas in the concession, for their permission to undertake this study. The Bambidie Gorilla Project (BGP), the BGP has cooperated with the CEB My sincere thanks go to all the Bai Hokou founded in 2008, aims to preserve a to establish several objectives, specifi- and Mongambe staff. I am particularly grateful to Angelique Todd and Anna Feistner population of western lowland goril cally: for their support and great contribution. las, between the villages of Lastour Special mention goes to Terrence Fuh and ville and Okondja, in eastern Gabon. – identification of the gorillas’- pre all the guides. Their help has been vital to This area is in the middle of a forestry ferred ranges and feeding sites, so the completion of this study. Thanks go to Vincent Nijman and Susan Cheyne at Oxford concession operated by the Com as to protect them from any future Brookes University for their supervision of this pagnie Equatoriale des Bois (CEB – forestry activity research and Viridiana Jimenez for her help Equatorial Forest Company), one of the – education of the local communities with the French translation. Acknowledgment of funding goes to Chester Zoo, the FONA leading companies in the Gabonese to reduce poaching Foundation for Nature Conservation, the forestry sector. The area contains a – initiation of an ecotourism activity to Hendrik Muller Fund, the Foundation of varied and abundant fauna, including generate alternative income for the Renswoude, and Oxford Brookes University. large mammals such as gorillas, forest local population and to encourage References elephants and chimpanzees. These them to conserve the environment Caro, T. M. et al. (1979): Interobserver reliability. Behaviour 69, 303–315 Hanes, A. C. (2012): The 7-metre gorilla tracking regulation. Gorilla Journal 44, 9–11. CENTRAL AFRICAN Homsy, J. (1999): Ape tourism and human REPUBLIC diseases; how close should we get? A Critical Review of the Rules and Regulations CAMEROON Governing Park Management & Tourism for the Wild Mountain Gorilla, Gorilla gorilla beringei. Rwanda: Report of a Consultancy for the International Gorilla Conservation Programme [Online]. Retrieved on April 21nd 2011 from: http://www.igcp.org/wp-content/ themes/igcp/docs/pdf/homsy_rev.pdf EQUATORIAL Jacobson, S. K. et al. (2006): Conservation GUINEA Education and Outreach Techniques. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK GABON Jacobson, S. K. & Robinson, J. G. (1990): Training the New Conservationist: Cross- disciplinary Education in the 1990s. En CEB vironmental Conservation 17, 319–327 Kopylova, S. L. & Danilina, N. R. (eds.) (2011): Lastourville Protected Area Staff Training: Guidelines for Planning and Management. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland Macfie, E. J. & Williamson, E. A. (2010): Best Practice Guidelines for Great Ape Tourism. REPUBLIC IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group (PSG), OF CONGO Gland, Switzerland Sandbrook, C. & Semple, S. (2006): The DEMOKRATIC rules and the reality of mountain gorilla Gorilla REPUBLIC OF beringei beringei tracking: how close do THE CONGO tourists get? Oryx 40 (4), 428–433 Stone, R. (1997): What’s your role? Training CABINDA or Organisational Impact. A Guide for Training Officers in Protected Area Management. Afri can Biodiversity Series No. 5, Biodiversity Support Programme: Washington D. C., USA Map of Gabon and the CEB concession

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against pollution, the creation of a tree nursery for reforestation, the conservation of riverine zones and the sensitization of populations to best practices that help to protect nature on a daily basis. In order to conserve the fauna, the concession controls the forest access roads, and prohibits commercial hunting and the hunting of protected species. In addition, the concession supplies people with animal protein in order to limit the need for bushmeat. However, even with the award of the FSC label and the application of a rig- orous environmental management system by CEB which makes sure its harvesting procedures follow good practice, and the concern shown by the company in conserving global eco- systems, the gorillas still face several Poster explaining the posture to adopt when encountering gorillas in the threats: forest Photo: M. Hurdebourcq – In spite of CEB’s efforts to moni- The Concession communities and the conservation of tor the forest access routes in order The concession extends over an the environment. to prevent illegal timber extraction area of 600,000 ha and produces CEB prefers to get involved partic- and the hunting of protected spe- approximately 220,000 m3 of round ularly in the provision of drinking wa- cies, poachers’ camps are regularly wood per year, mostly Okoumé, re ter and electricity, the construction of found in the forest. nowned for its light weight and the health centres and schools, the battle – The concession workers are fright- ease with which it can be used. The main Bambidie camp coordinates ex ploitation activities (i.e. tree felling) and transformation activities (sawmills and kilns). It employs 450 workers, but taking into account their families the number of people at the site reaches about 2,000. In 2007, the Swiss company Pre- cious Wood became the main share- holder of CEB. In 2008, the concession obtained FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification, which certifies the sustainable exploitation of forest resources in accordance with very strict environmental, social and economic rules. This system allows the forest to regenerate, thanks to a regular rota- tion of timber coupes (selective logging system), and requires the harvesting company to implement activities that support the development of the local Sensitization activity in a CEB school Photo: M. Hurdebourcq

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ened of the gorillas and do not know er zone of 96 ha which it will not exploit. were purchased which allow the show- how to react when they run into them In this way CEB will preserve a place ing of films and photographs of the wild unexpectedly, which can lead to ac- which is indispensable to the gorillas, gorillas roaming the concession and cidents. both for food and for social interactions. captive gorillas in La Palmyre Zoo in – Many gorillas show physical malfor- Education: With the help of various France. In the concession villages, go- mations and skin depigmentation, presentations which have been organ- rillas are considered to be a source of which may indicate a health prob- ized in the concession schools, over protein (the meat is preferred to that lem. 2,000 children have been sensitized to of chimpanzees, which are considered the needs of the gorillas. Initially, the too close to humans), but also as a The Role of the Bambidie Gorilla programme used the Great Apes Edu- dangerous and ferocious animal. By Project cational Kit developed by Sabrina Krief showing that gorilla behaviour is very The activities of the Bambidie Gorilla and the MNHN (National Museum of similar to that of humans, particularly Project take place in the centre of Natural History) of Paris. Subsequent- the behaviour of females with their in- the concession, which contains many ly a generator and a video projector fants, and that it is possible to observe gorillas (documented by routine ob servations carried out in the forest and a 2008 survey by the primatologist Alexandre B. Pujol of Barcelona Uni versity). Populations of great apes frequently occur outside of national parks and reserves. An evaluation of their capacity to adapt to constraints linked to forest exploitation will permit us to develop conservation plans which are adapted to this particular situation and to determine whether the conservation of the fauna is compatible with reasonable and sustainable forest exploitation.

Main Achievements between 2008 and 2011 The person responsible for the pro ject, Max Hurdebourcq, has con ducted ten missions, each of 3 to 4 months’ duration, into the centre of the concession – both in the dry and the rainy seasons. He has observed numerous gorilla groups and has organized sensitization campaigns for workers and school children on a regular basis. Habitat protection: Successive trips into the forest have allowed the identification of a feeding site of major importance for the concession gorillas. This is a bai, covering an area of 16 ha. It is regularly visited by animals that go there to feed on aquatic plants rich in minerals. After the bai was found, CEB decided to surround it with a buff- Female and offspring in the bai Photo: M. Hurdebourcq

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into gorilla health and diseases, their ment and training of trackers for guid- role in forest regeneration, the impact ing visitors is indispensable. of forest exploitation on primates, Currently, BGP is supported only by etc. It is equally necessary to create Precious Wood and La Palmyre Zoo. new educational tools and to recruit The development of the proposed new an educator tasked with implementing activities requires new partners to pro- sensitization activities. vide the funding needed by the found- The socio-economic aspects of the ing partners or, for example, to partici- BGP must permit the development of pate in the development of educational ecotourism as an alternative source of tools. Protecting gorillas in a forest- income for the population. The protect- ry concession represents a true chal- ed bai is an excellent site for an ob- lenge and a beautiful adventure. servation platform for tourists. Recruit- Florence Perroux

International Gorilla Workshop From June 11 to 15, 2012 Apenheul Primate Park in Apeldoorn (together with GaiaZOO Kerkrade) hosted the International Gorilla Workshop. The new conference center De St@art was the perfect environment for Facial skin depigmentation in a presentations, discussions and extensive chats between colleagues and silverback Photo: M. Hurdebourcq friends. Although the workshop (like the previous ones) mainly addressed gorilla keepers from zoos all over the world, many other gorilla friends gorillas in the forest without danger, attended it, like curators, field researchers, conservationists and “gorilla these sessions have made it possible enthusiasts”. to counteract the negative image of the Most presentations and discussions covered issues connected with go- gorilla and to change people’s opinions rilla husbandry and management, but some experts contributed reports of the animal. from the wild. Other sensitization sessions have One highlight for many gorilla friends was the auction of all kinds of ob- been organized for the concession jects that the participants had brought with them. After the silent auction workers. A poster explaining how to some objects were left; they were presented by Janse Heijn during a "loud" behave when encountering gorillas in auction. The result was remarkable: Euro 1235.50 for the Clubs des Amis the forest has been developed by La des Gorilles in the Ebo Forest. Palmyre Zoo. Eight copies have been Angela Meder put up in schools and other places fre- quented by the Bambidie workers.

Outlook for the Future of the BGP Currently, the project is at a crossroads: long-term activities need to be devel oped to increase effectiveness and to ensure the sustainability of the project. The creation of a local foundation- like structure involving all BGP stake holders (authorities and local commun ities, forestry concession, coordinators, sponsors, etc.) seems indispensable for the provision of a project framework and for helping to raise the funds required for gorilla conservation. Scientific studies need to be conducted, such as studies

25 Gorilla Journal 45, December 2012 READING

Craig Stanford New on the Internet enough project, August 2012. 17 Planet without apes. Belknap Press/ pages. www.enoughproject.org Harvard University Press 2012. Oscar Maldonado, Conrad Aveling, 272 pages, 4 halftones. Hardcover, Debby Cox, Stuart Nixon, Radar Sasha Lezhnev and Alex Hellmuth US$ 25.95, £ 19.95, € 23.40. ISBN Nishuli, Dario Merlo, Lilian Pintea Taking Conflict Out of Consumer 9780674067042 and Elizabeth A. Williamson Gadgets. Company Rankings on Grauer's Gorillas and Chimpanzees Conflict Minerals 2012. enough Laurence Cockcroft in Eastern Democratic Republic of project, August 2012. 17 pages. www. Global Corruption: Money, Power and Congo (Kahuzi-Biega, Maiko, Tayna enoughproject.org Ethics in the Modern World. University and Itombwe Landscape): Conserva of Pennsylvania Press 2012. 288 tion Action Plan 2012–2022. Gland Greenpeace pages. Hardcover, US$ 39.95. ISBN (IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group, ‘Artisanal Logging’ = Industrial 978-0812245028 Ministry of Environment, Nature Con Logging in Disguise: Bypassing the servation & Tourism, Institut Congo Moratorium on the Allocation of New Christian Nellemann, INTERPOL lais pour la Conservation de la Nature Industrial Logging Concessions in Environmental Crime Programme & the Jane Goodall Institute) 2012. the Democratic Republic of Congo. (ed.) 74 pages. ISBN 978-2-8317-1535-3. Greenpeace Africa May 2012. 12 pages. Green Carbon, Black Trade: Illegal www.primate-sg.org/action_plans/ www.greenpeace.org/africa/Global/ Logging, Tax Fraud and Laundering africa/publications/forests/Logging_ in the Worlds Tropical Forests. A Black Gold in the Congo: Threat to Illegal_EnglishA4.pdf Rapid Response Assessment. UNEP, Stability or Development Opport GRIDArendal 2012. 72 pages. ISBN unity? International Crisis Group, Africa Global Witness 978-82-7701-102-8. www.grida.no/ Report N°188, July 2012. 42 pages. The art of logging industrially in publications/rr/green-carbon-black- www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/africa/ Congo: how loggers are abusing trade/ central-africa/dr-congo/188-black- artisanal permits to exploit the De gold-in-the-congo-threat-to-stability-or- mocratic Republic of Congo’s forests. Georges Berghezan and Xavier development-opportunity.aspx London (Global Witness) October 2012. Zeebroek 16 pages. ISBN 978-0-9573228-2-0. Small Arms in Eastern Congo – Southern African Resource Watch www.globalwitness.org/sites/default/ a survey on the perception of in Conflict Gold to Criminal Gold: The files/art_of_logging_lr.pdf security. Brussels (Éditions GRIP) new face of artisanal gold mining in 2011. 179 pages. ISBN 978-2-87291- Congo. 52 pages. www.gold.sarwatch. Ward Anseeuw, Mathieu Boche, Tho 032-8. www.grip.org org mas Breu, Markus Giger, Jann Lay, Peter Messerli and Kerstin Nolte State of the World’s Forests Giacomo De Luca, Jean-Francois Transnational Land Deals for Agri 2012. Rome (FAO) 2012. 46 pages, Maystadt, Petros G. Sekeris, John culture in the Global South. Analyt paperback, US$ 30. ISBN 978-92-5- Ulimwengu and Renato Folledo ical Report based on the Land Matrix 107292-9. www.fao.org/docrep/016/ Mineral Resources and Conflicts Database. 64 pages, April 2012. http:// i3010e/i3010e00.htm in the Democratic Republic of the landportal.info/landmatrix/media/img/ Congo. A Case of Ecological Fallacy. analytical-report.pdf Romy Chevallier and Mari-Lise du International Food Policy Research Preez Institute (IFPRI) Discussion Paper Letter dated 12 October 2012 from the Timber Trade in Africa’s Great 01193, June 2012. 36 pages. www. Group of Experts on the Democratic Lakes: The Road From Beni, DRC to ifpri.org/sites/default/files/publications/ Republic of the Congo addressed Kampala, Uganda. Saiia July 2012. ifpridp01193.pdf to the Chair of the Security Council Research Report 11, Governance of Committee established pursuant to Africa’s Resources Programme. 77 Fidel Bafilemba, Sasha Lezhnev resolution 1533 (2004) concerning pages. ISBN 978-1-919969-80-0. www. and Sarah Zingg Wimmer the Democratic Republic of the saiia.org.za/research-reports/timber- From Congress to Congo. Turning Congo. UN document S/2012/843. trade-in-africa-s-great-lakes-the-road- the Tide on Conflict Minerals, Closing 204 pages. www.un.org/ga/search/ from-beni-drc-to-kampala-uganda.html Loopholes, and Empowering Miners. view_doc.asp?symbol=S/2012/843

26 Gorilla Journal 45, December 2012 BERGGORILLA & REGENWALD DIREKTHILFE

GRASP Council Meeting tensively and adopted. A new Execu- to damage in hydropower plants; the tive Committee was also elected. But at turbines have to be replaced more fre- in Paris, 6–8 November least as important as the plenary pres- quently because the amount of soil in 2012 entations were the delegates’ talks with the rivers is increasing. This, in turn, colleagues during the breaks and the increases the price of electricity. 50% The Council of the Great Ape Survival informal discussions in small groups. of the cultivated area already shows Partnership. It met for the first time in There were many interesting con- signs of erosion, so the present form of 2005 in Kinshasa; 7 years passed before tributions. Ofir Drori (LAGA) explained land use is not sustainable. Solutions it met for the second time. GRASP the problems with illegal trade in live have to be found urgently, and gorilla is a mixed body: representatives of great apes in Africa – a very profita- tourism is regarded as playing an im- range countries were sitting alongside ble business that involves huge sums portant role. NGO delegates (including Berggorilla of money. Even if the responsible per- Angela Meder & Regenwald Direkthilfe), delegates sons are known, it is usually very diffi- from donor countries, representatives cult to arrest and convict them. Often of international conventions and other they have very good connections to partners, such as zoos. particular elements in the government The agenda of the meeting was and the police, and most of them suc- very densely packed: after reports of ceed in buying their way out of jail. The the various GRASP organs, various trade is very much connected with the experts gave presentations about ille- divide between rich and poor, and pro- gal trade, green economy, and great motes corruption. apes & technology. In-between these Another presenter, Michel Masozera presentations, the GRASP Rules for (WCS Rwanda), reported on environ- Management, the Global Strategy and mental problems in his home country. the Priority Plan were discussed ex- Erosion following deforestation has led Our Donors

From May to October 2012 we re ceived major donations by Christoph Baumann, Maximilian Behr, Birgit De muth, Angelika Dickmann, Werner Eig ler, ElectronicPartner, Elisabeth Engel, Marianne Famula, Jürgen and Irmgard Friedrich, Helga Innerhofer, Kong Is land Productions, Corinne Legeret, Philip Linnartz, Hannelore Merker, Birgit Reime, Wolfram Rietschel, Al fred Roszyk, Siegfried and Edith Scharrschmidt, SOS Gorilla, Christian Ströbele, Kay and Inge Tietje, Gabriele Uhl, Sixt Wetzler, W-Pack Kunststoffe GmbH, Zoo Basel and Zoo Krefeld. Oliver and Ariane Trifunic-Rasi Broma Basel collected donations for us during their marriage. The Gorilla Workshop auction was a big success – also for gorilla conservation, because we re ceived the proceeds. Many thanks to everybody! We are grateful for your support, and we hope A discussion between Ofir Drori and Russ Mittermeier Photos: A. Meder that you will continue to support us.

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