THE Inside DIAN Program news and highlights 2 FOSSEY Remembering Poppy, the last of Dian Fossey’s study gorillas 4 Life with Pablo gorillas, episode four: Gorılla The close relationship with Susa’s group 6 ournal June 2019 J Daily Protection | Scientific Research | Educating Conservationists | Helping Communities Beyond gorillas All those Sign up! we protect Free monthly Gorilla eNews By Tara Stoinski, Ph.D. gorillafund. President and CEO/ org/enews Chief Scientific Officer
Last month, the world celebrated Endangered Species Day, but at the same time a new report from the United Nations showed that nearly one million species around the Grauer’s gorillas, world are facing extinc- above, are tion, primarily as a result among the of human activities. That’s world’s most- one in eight of all species! endangered We are truly in the primates. Our protection Helping people. Saving gorillas. midst of a global extinc- The Gorilla Journal for them is a publicationgorillafund.org tion crisis that has many in Congo of the Dian Fossey causes, including habi- benefits Gorilla Fund® tat destruction, climate many other International, change, pollution, exploita- vulnerable 800 Cherokee species Ave., SE, Atlanta, tion of natural resources as well. and other factors. GA 30315-1440, Here at the Dian Fossey 1-800-851-0203. Gorilla Fund, we’ve always ©2019 Dian Fossey Golden Gorilla Fund® believed that protecting monkeys International. above, share endangered gorillas was gorillafund.org. important, for preventing the mountain gorilla habitat in All rights reserved. their extinction due to Rwanda, as does No information loss of habitat and other this unique and from this publica- human-related pressures. endangered tion may be used See Beyond gorillas, page 8 tree frog, right. without written permission from the Fossey Fund. Daily Protection | Scientific Research | Educating Conservationists | Helping Communities Program news and highlights Fossey staff, local students found in the whole country! behind a young son, who stayed join global bird-counting day “By participating in this, we with her body for some time. In our programs we pay attention as the Dian Fossey Fund not only “While we have no way of to many species beyond gorillas, showcase what our field sites and knowing for sure what the animals because all are important to the host countries have to offer in terms were thinking, in the case of adult health of the forest ecosystem. of biodiversity but also boost citi- female Tuck there is compelling In May, we enthusiastically — zen-science efforts in the region,” evidence her young son was griev- and successfully — participated in says the Fossey Fund’s biodiversity ing,” says Dr. Porter. “Similarly, a worldwide bird-counting event researcher, Dr. Yntze van der Hoek. with the dominant silverback Titus, called “Global Big Day,” bringing “It was a day of science, but most young male Ihumure, who shared local students, our interns, research especially a day to get people excited a close social relationship with
Far left, Our bird- counting team in Rwanda.
Near left, This sunbird was one of 76 species we found in just one day!
assistants and field staff on a about nature and conservation,” he Titus after his mother transferred bird-watching excursion in Rwanda. adds. “We went to a national park groups, remained near the body The goal was to count and to count birds this day, but even if and even slept with it.” identify as many birds as possible you don’t have access to such sites This study was important in within a 24-hour period, as did you can participate in these things. terms of understanding gorilla more than 30,000 other volunteers Just look around you, in your gar- behavior but it also has important from around the world, all orga- den, on your balcony, what do you conservation implications, because nized by a global citizen-science see? Everyone can do this, with all close inspection of bodies can pres- group called “eBird,” managed by kinds of species.” ent a serious risk for disease trans- the Cornell Laboratory of Orni- mission among the gorillas. This thology. The bird counts are later Fossey scientists study study was led by the Fossey Fund entered into official global data- gorilla grief, stress, habitats with collaborators from University bases, which help show how well In a study published this spring, of California Davis, Uppsala Uni- different bird species are doing, Fossey Fund scientists, led by Dr. versity, and the Congolese Institute and areas that may be of concern, Amy Porter, reported their studies for the Conservation of Nature. needing greater study or protection. of how gorillas reacted to the deaths Another study, led by Fossey Birds are important indicator spe- of other gorillas. One case involved Fund Rwanda Research Manager cies for habitat health overall. the legendary silverback Titus, Dr. Winnie Eckardt, looked at In Rwanda, our team found the whose deceased body was observed physiological stress levels in the most birds of all those counting and inspected by other group mem- mountain gorillas we monitor, there, with a total of 76 species, bers for some time. Another was by measuring certain hormones out of a total of about 200 species the death of female Tuck, leaving and parasites obtained from fecal
2 June 2019 gorillafund.org | THE DIAN FOSSEY GORILLA FUND INTERNATIONAL Daily Protection | Scientific Research | Educating Conservationists | Helping Communities samples left behind in gorilla night involve students so that we train regeneration. Narcisse is one of nests. This method is important future wetland researchers and many University of Rwanda young because it can be done without any conservationists,” says Fossey Fund scientists who have trained with us disturbance — or additional stress Biodiversity Program Manager, during and after college. Now Nar- — to the gorillas. Deogratias Tuyisingize. cisse is planning to pursue master’s Results showed that there are and doctoral degrees, focusing on at least two factors affecting the Fossey intern named National helping local communities through gorillas’ stress levels noticeably — Geographic Young Explorer science and conservation. greater weather extremes (tempera- We’re so proud of our up-and-com- “It is very hard to do good tures and rainfall) and small home ing young scientists in Africa, research and to get the support range areas accommodating more including intern Narcisse Uwitonze, for it, so I am very grateful to the gorillas. This means that the effects who has just been named a National Fossey Fund and the National of environmental and population Geographic Young Explorer, for Geographic Society for supporting changes must be closely monitored his project on gorilla food plant young researchers and helping me implement my project on gorillas’ key food plants,” Narcisse says.
Kitchen gardens help with community conservation This spring, we expanded our community outreach programs in Rwanda to include new livelihood initiatives for those who may have formerly hunted for game animals in the forest to provide food for their families. Our kitchen gar- dens project involves training local families on how to grow vegetables in very small gardens or even in old tires around their houses. This includes soil enrichment work, Group members were observed gathering around the body of female Tuck. community compost piles, creating and used to develop long-term con- servation strategies, to help address risk factors like these. And, in the spirit of biodiver- sity, we also have many studies about other species and even whole habitats going on. For example, we have been studying frogs in Volca- noes National Park for more than six years, which not only helps us understand additional species but provides important information Kitchen garden plot: We’re training about the health of critical wet- households to grow vegetables. lands in the park. We also have other wetlands raised beds and distributing seeds. projects underway, including In our work in the Democratic a long-term habitat study that Republic of Congo, where we work includes our Rwandan student in community-managed forests, we interns. “This is the first-ever long- have started fish farms using locally term wetland project in the gorilla Intern Narcisse Uwitonze is studying found fish, also to provide sources habitat and it was important to gorilla food plant regeneration. of protein without hunting. n
THE DIAN FOSSEY GORILLA FUND INTERNATIONAL | gorillafund.org June 2019 3 Daily Protection | Scientific Research | Educating Conservationists | Helping Communities Remembering Poppy, who ‘could do no wrong’ The last of Dian Fossey’s study gorillas
Historic mountain gorilla Poppy was When the group was first seen as an infant by Dian Fos- clearly seen again, Poppy sey, after Fossey observed her birth was not with them. in 1976 in one of the groups she was Thus began a series of studying, called Group 5. major searches to locate Fossey wrote about the playful her, since she seemed infant many times in her journals well when last seen, and and in her book, Gorillas in the it was hoped that she Mist, calling her the group’s “little was fine. darling . . . winsome and appealing. But despite the She could do no wrong.” searching, no sign Poppy stayed in Group 5 until of Poppy was found Nov. 1985, just a few weeks before again, leading our staff Fossey was killed. In her new group to conclude that she (called Susa group), Poppy quickly probably had died, rose in status among the females, although we cannot be reaching the top level of dominance totally sure and Poppy and giving birth to several infants. has surprised us before. She lived most of her reproduc- tive years in this growing group, which is monitored by the Rwanda park authorities of the Rwanda Top, Dian Development Board. But in 2009, Fossey with the group started to split and Poppy young Poppy moved with two of its offshoots, in the late 1970s. though eventually returned to the main Susa group Left, Young Then, in July 2015, following a Poppy (far stressful series of events in the Susa left) with group, Poppy suddenly appeared in mother and matriarch one of the groups the Fossey Fund Effie. monitors, which was newly formed by young silverback Iyambere. Our field staff were delighted to see Poppy again, especially given her historic past and her now elder age. Poppy did well in this new little group and even gave birth to another events, after intrusions by lone She had already become the oldest infant, at the advanced age of 40, but silverback Agahozo and injuries to mountain gorilla ever followed for the infant was stillborn. She gave leader Iyambere. These events also her entire life, reaching her 42nd birth again in 2017, when she was resulted in the death of Poppy’s birthday on April 1, 2018. 41, becoming the oldest mountain latest infant. Iyambere’s small group disinte- gorilla to give birth ever recorded. The group then began traveling grated at the end of 2018. He had quickly over long distances and been injured yet again, and his last Missing since 2018 sometimes hiding in deep ravines, female left him soon after, along In August 2018, her new group making it difficult for our trackers with her 21/2-year-old youngster, faced a stressful sequence of to see them. transferring to Susa’s group.
4 June 2019 gorillafund.org | THE DIAN FOSSEY GORILLA FUND INTERNATIONAL Daily Protection | Scientific Research | Educating Conservationists | Helping Communities
Left, Poppy with her last infant, in 2018.
Below, Last seen in August 2018, after a stressful interaction between her group and a lone silverback.
embodies all the stages and aspects of mountain gorilla life that we have come to know. She also still has five thriving offspring of vari- ous ages in several groups, one of whom — female Ishyaka — is in a group monitored daily by the Fos- sey Fund. “Being able to observe Poppy over so many years of life gave researchers a wealth of knowledge,” says Dr. Tara Stoinski, Fossey Fund President and CEO/Chief Scientific Officer. “She taught us so much about reproduction, female transfers, dominance, and of course, person- alities.”
Remembrances from staff “We remember the day that Poppy joined a group we monitor as one of the best days of our daily work,” says Veronica Vecellio, Fossey Fund gorilla program senior advisor. “It was like seeing a family member again after a long absence,” she adds. “Poppy broke the mold for what we know about mountain gorilla females — transferring at an older age, joining a very young and inex- perienced male, having a baby so late in life. We all felt privileged to know her and observe her through the final years of her life. And it is An important matriarchal line Virungas. Poppy’s sister Mahane, so wonderful that we know about and source of knowledge who at 34 years old was also born her infancy from Dian Fossey. In addition to her own interesting during Fossey’s lifetime, is still Surely, this means we will remem- life events, Poppy comes from an alive. ber her forever.” important line of female mountain (Note: Mahane has a new infant Research assistant Gudula Nyir- gorillas, as the daughter of an his- and the pair can be symbolically adayambaje remembers meeting toric female named Effie. adopted at this link: gorillafund. Poppy when she came back to the Effie was the matriarch of a org/adopt) groups we monitor in 2015. “We are family whose members are spread Since Poppy has been known all sad to lose her, but we know she out in many gorilla groups in the throughout her long life, she lived a long and important life.” n
THE DIAN FOSSEY GORILLA FUND INTERNATIONAL | gorillafund.org June 2019 5 Life with Pablo Gorillas: Episode Four Two largest groups have been intertwined for decades Pablo & Susa groups share history
Pablo and Susa groups have often interacted. The event above in 2014 lasted for three hours. There were no serious injuries. . Young female Umwari, right, recently moved from Pablo to Susa group.
Editor’s note: This is the fourth in a series of articles chronicling the lives of the gorillas in a legendary mountain gorilla group named after former silverback Pablo, in honor of the group’s 25th anniversary. Pablo formed the group in 1993,when Dian Fossey’s study Group 5 split. The leadership of silverback Pablo was short, lasting only about 18 months. The group was then taken over by legendary silverback Cantsbee, who would reign for the next 20+ years. Today, the group is led by Cantsbee’s son, Gicurasi.
Gorillas live in groups of diverse sizes and composition, But there is another historic group, called Susa and the various dynamics of group formations and group, which lives nearby, on the southwestern slope of changes are among the most fascinating aspects of Mt. Karisimbi. The original silverback leaders of both gorilla life, showing us many things about their strate- groups were both first seen and habituated by Dian gies, adaptability, individual choices and other behaviors. Fossey — Pablo was first seen in 1967 and Susa’s leader In 52 years of studying mountain gorillas in Rwanda, in 1978. the Fossey Fund has witnessed many groups forming, We are often amazed at the similarities between transforming, and ending. Pablo’s group is one of the these two groups, as well as by the way they interact most-stable and longest-existing groups, probably due and how they maintain their ongoing longevity. mainly to the decades of strong leadership by the late Susa’s group was among the first group of goril- silverback Cantsbee, as well as to the daily protection las visited by tourists, and it is currently among the the group has received since its inception. groups monitored daily by the Rwanda Development
6 June 2019 gorillafund.org | THE DIAN FOSSEY GORILLA FUND INTERNATIONAL Life with Pablo Gorillas: Episode Four occur after reaching their largest sizes. Both split into four sub- groups, mainly as the result of having multiple adult males, as well as the advancing ages of the dominant silverbacks. Splitting up allowed the younger, stronger males the chance to leave with females for themselves. The transfer of so many females between the two groups has been facilitated by the rel- atively stable home range they occupy on the slope of Mt. Kari- simbi. Even as the number of gorillas and groups has increased overall, the home ranges of Pablo and Susa adjusted by expanding to the west side of Karisimbi. But the female moves are also facilitated by the familiarity among these individuals, since Female Indamutso, above, is another many are related through their recent transferee from Pablo to Susa. mothers’ lines. This allows moves Gutangara, right, has been in Pablo to happen without major dramas. since 1995 but originates from Susa. For example, all the non- Board staff. It is very popular native females currently in among tourists, due to its large Pablo’s group actually originate size and the presence of many from Susa’s group, including males and infants. Pablo group Gutangara, Ishema and Muke- has been monitored every day by curu. Mukecuru and Gutangara the Fossey Fund, since its forma- transferred at the same time tion in 1993. back in 1995! And the reverse is true as well, with most of the Similar in many ways adult females in Susa’s group Pablo and Susa groups share coming from Pablo. many things in common. For More recently, two young example, they have competed females — Indamutso and for years for the record as the Umwari — transferred to Susa largest gorilla group known in group in January. According to the region. And both had domi- the Rwanda Development Board nant silverbacks who stayed in charge for more than staff, which monitors Susa’s group, these two females 20 years. have integrated well, and that’s likely because they The two groups also have exchanged females for knew most of the females already there in Susa. many decades, during intergroup interactions. In fact, since their formation, more than 30 females have moved What’s coming next in Pablo? between the two groups, in both directions. The earliest This historic group continues to remain fairly sta- move recorded was that of female Poppy in 1985, as she ble and has boasted some new infants and arrivals moved from Group 5 (Fossey’s original study group) to recently, but there have also been serious interactions Susa. Poppy then came back to another subgroup of with other groups, some subgrouping, strenuous Pablo, led by silverback Iyambere, 30 years later! (See the traveling, and other stressful events. So stayed tuned story on Poppy, pages 4–5). for the next episode of “Life with Pablo Gorillas.” We’ll Susa and Pablo groups also saw similar changes post any breaking news at gorillafund.org/Pablo. n
THE DIAN FOSSEY GORILLA FUND INTERNATIONAL | gorillafund.org June 2019 7 Beyond gorillas Building your own Continued from page 1 conservation legacy so it is important to know about And nearly half of all primate their well being and status, if we Planned giving is a unique species are threatened with hope to save the ecosystems that way to support the work of extinction. are home to the gorillas as well. the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund But every day it’s becoming I’m extremely saddened and during your lifetime and clearer to us that our daily gorilla concerned by the U.N. report. beyond. protection has an even greater But the mountain gorilla story role and a much bigger impact shows we can save a species from When you inform us of than we initially realized. extinction, and in the process your planned giving inten- There are so many other protect many other species as tions, you become a mem- endangered and vulnerable well. I’m especially thankful to ber of our Legacy Society, species in the two areas where all of our amazing donors, whose allowing us to recognize you we protect gorillas, and our daily impact is truly far reaching. appropriately for your gen- presence in the forests benefits You’ve empowered us to create erosity and dedication to all of them. This includes iconic one of the world’s few conserva- wild gorilla conservation in species like elephants, chim- tion success stories in helping panzees and leopards, as well as save mountain gorillas, bringing Rwanda and the Democratic numerous lesser-known species, them back from the brink of Republic of Congo. many of which are found only in extinction. There are many vehicles these areas. You’ve also played a key role that allow you to provide for We also study a number of in helping so many other species your loved ones and make a these species directly, especially — and important ecosystems — planned gift to the Dian Fos- those that are good indicator survive. These forests are critical sey Gorilla Fund, including: species for overall habitat health. to all life on the planet, including Frogs — and wetlands — and var- ours. Working together, I know n wills and living trusts, ious species of birds, for example, we can continue to make a huge n life insurance policies, are not as adaptable as gorillas difference in saving our earth’s n retirement plan required to changes in their environment, remarkable biodiversity. n distributions, n bank and investment Saving the planet’s last wild gorillas is an important mission. But accounts, we know now that the impact of this work is even bigger. n gifts of stock or securities, and n donor-advised funds. Check out our annual report! To learn more, please contact Katherine Cadwallader The Fossey Fund’s annual report for 2018 is now online. [email protected] Please visit our website at gorillafund.org/annualreport to read about all of our activities from last year. Or visit gorillafund.org/giving.
Thank you to our Collaborating Funders for their extraordinary support in 2019 The Milton and Tamar Maltz Family Foundation
Anonymous Follow us Foundation @savinggorillas
8 June 2019 gorillafund.org | THE DIAN FOSSEY GORILLA FUND INTERNATIONAL