Gorilla Journal Journal of Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe No. 30, June 2005

Conservation Impact of Habitu- The Maiombe For- Where Are the of Gorillas and ation for Tourism est in Cabinda Gorillas? Type Chimpanzees in on Gorillas in Specimens and Itombwe Bwindi Conservation BERGGORILLA & REGENWALD DIREKTHILFE

Authors of this Issue with the WCS gorilla surveys in Kahuzi- CONTENTS Biega and Itombwe since 1994. Democratic Republic of Congo 3 Christelle Chamberlan has been Bernard Iyomi Iyatshi has worked Post-Confl ict Inventory of Kahuzi- co-ordinating the orphan gorilla reha- for conservation in the D. R. Congo for Biega National Park 3 bilitation and reintroduction programs 22 years. Since 2002, he is Principal Massacres in Kivu 4 of the John Aspinall Foundation (JAF) Conservator of Kahuzi-Biega. Dangers to Kahuzi-Biega and in the Republic of Congo since 2002. John Kahekwa has been working POPOF's Artisan Program 5 Amos Courage co-ordinated the at Kahuzi-Biega since 1983. He foun- Conservation in the Itombwe Massif 7 activities of JAF in Congo from 1996 to ded the Pole Pole Foundation that has Two Young Chimps Confi scated 8 2000. Now based in the UK, he is direc- been cooperating with the population Gorilla Orphans in Rwanda and tor for JAF overseas projects. around the park since 1992. Congo: Update 9 Andrew Dunn is Project Manager Pierre Kakule Vwirasihikya has Twin Boom in Eastern Gorillas 9 for the WCS biodiversity research pro- been working in the Virunga National Uganda 11 gram in SE Nigeria since 2004. He has Park since 1982. Currently, he is both Impacts of Habituation for Ecotourism been working on surveys and conser- the Tayna Gorilla Reserve Coordinator on the Gorillas of Nkuringo 11 vation projects in Africa since 1989. (since 1998) and the UGADEC Execu- The Impact of Tourism on the Jef Dupain works for the African tive Secretary (since 2002). Behaviour of Mountain Gorillas 14 Wildlife Foundation-DRC. He is the Tony King has been developing the Uganda Losing Gorillas to Rwanda 15 coordinator of the Landscape Maringa research and monitoring programmes Gorillas 16 Lopori Wamba within CARPE-CBFP. for the JAF in Congo since 2002. Update on Nigeria: Recent Work by Dr. Michele L. Goldsmith works Innocent Liengola is Project Direc- the Wildlife Conservation Society 16 at Dartmouth College, Anthropology. tor for WCS’s program in Kahuzi-Biega. The Maiombe Forest in Cabinda: Since December 1996 she has been He led the biological surveys, gorilla Conservation Efforts, 2000–2004 18 studying the behavioral ecology of go- census and habitat evaluation of the Where Are the Gorillas? 21 rillas and chimpanzees in Bwindi. highland sector in 2004 and is currently Sudden Great Ape Die-Off in the Peri- Prof. Colin Groves wrote his PhD heading the lowland survey. phery of the Dja Biosphere Reserve 28 thesis on gorilla osteology and tax- Dr. Angela Meder studied captive Ebola in Congo Republic 30 onomy. He now teaches primatology lowland gorillas for 10 years. Today she Reintroduced Gorillas: Reproduction, and human evolution at the Australian works as a book editor. Since 1992 she Ranging and Unresolved Issues 30 National University. has been on the Board of Directors of Reading 33 Patrick Guislain has worked in Pro- Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe. News from the Internet 34 jet Grands Singes since 2001. He is Leonard Mubalama has coordi- Berggorilla & Regenwald doing a study on habitat use of chim- nated WCS’s Itombwe program since Direkthilfe 35 panzees and gorillas. 2002, and has led fi eld surveys there in Dr. John Hart, WCS Senior scien- 2003–2005. He has been a member of tist, directs WCS-DRC’s inventory and the WCS/DRC program since 1994. Organization Address: monitoring program and is based in Fortunate Muyambi worked as a Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe Kinshasa. He has has been involved warden for Research and Monitoring c/o Rolf Brunner in Bwindi/Mgahinga Conservation Area Lerchenstr. 5 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 for 2 years, and is currently the Field 45473 Muelheim, Germany Editor: Angela Meder Project Coordinator of the Mountain Fax +49-208-7671605 Augustenstr. 122, 70197 Stuttgart, Gorilla Conservation Fund-Uganda. E-mail [email protected] Germany Dr. Tamar Ron was UNDP Biodiver- Website: Fax +49-711-6159919 sity Chief Technical Adviser to the Gov- http://www.berggorilla.org E-mail [email protected] ernment of Angola in 2000–2004. She Bank Account: Translation and Proofreading: Ann was requested to continue help devel- Account number 353 344 315 DeVoy, Bettina and Andrew Grieser oping the Maiombe Forest project. Stadtsparkasse Muelheim, Germany Johns, Colin Groves Carlos Schuler visited Bukavu in Bank code number 362 500 00 Design: Edwin Artho, Angela Meder 1983 fi rst. Two years later he returned IBAN DE06 3625 0000 0353 3443 15 Cover: Skull of the Grauer's gorilla to Bukavu and since 1994 he has been SWIFT-BIC SPMHDE3E type specimen. Photos: H. Turni working for the GTZ in Kahuzi-Biega.

2 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 D. R. CONGO

Post-Confl ict Inventory National Parks Institute (ICCN) lost control of the park during the war, a of Kahuzi Biega National wide range of incursions, deforestation Park and illegal extraction of resources fol- There are few sites where the potential lowed, including mining, hunting, log- for conservation of great apes is ging, charcoal production, agriculture, juxtaposed with such major challenges and grazing. and uncertainty as in the Democratic During the war, much of the park’s Republic of Congo’s Parc National de highland sector (600 km2), and all of Kahuzi Biega (PNKB). At the outset of its lowland sector (5,000 km2) have the Congo’s civil war, nearly a decade been inaccessible to ICCN guards. In ago, this park was the single most the highland sector, fi res, cutting and important site globally for the endemic clearing have led to signifi cant habitat I. Liengola and park guards in front subspecies of the eastern gorilla (G. degradation. Large areas of the corri- of the former Itebero park offi ce b. graueri), containing an estimated dor (400 km2 ) linking the highland and Photo: Innocent Liengola 8,000 individuals in both sectors of the lowland sector of the park have been park. PNKB also supported a nationally deforested and settled. known silverbacks, the ICCN patrolling signifi cant population of chimpanzees Despite the extreme insecurity and of the gorilla sector, during all but the (Hall et al. 1998) and it is also a major challenges, ICCN, and the park, were most dangerous periods, was certainly reservoir of biodiversity endemic to the supported throughout the war by GTZ critical in ensuring the survival of the Albertine Rift (Plumptre et al. 2000). (Gesellschaft für technische Zusam- habituated gorillas in the park. During the past decade of the civil menarbeit). Further support for park Within the last year security in the war, PNKB has been a constant theatre guard salaries came through the UNF/ PNKB region has improved. ICCN of confl ict. The park has been overrun UNESCO program, and over the past guards have recovered patrol posts by successive waves of militias, Mai- several years other NGOs have also and fi eld teams have returned to the Mai and Interahamwe, some of whom been able to provide assistance. While park and surrounding region. Several still have local infl uence today, though a number of highland sector’s habitu- important new fi nancial commitments open confl ict and insecurity have re- ated gorillas were killed by poachers have been made to the park, including ceded in most areas. As the Congolese during the war, including several well- a renewal of the GTZ program, and further support for the park buffer zone 28° E Utu Musenge (the area and communities around the park) through the USAID CARPE pro- Itebero Kakelo Parc National de Kahuzi-Biega gram and the Congo Basin Forest Part- Nyamilenge Isangi Hombo nership. Busakala DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF In November, 2004, a break in the CONGO confl ict allowed WCS (Wildlife Con-

Luhoho servation Society) and ICCN teams

Ezeze to survey the highland sector of the Lowland Sector 2° S park where they found at least 168 go- Kalehe rillas. While this number is less than Bitale the 250–270 pre-war population in this Luka zi Lake Kivu area, it was higher than the estimated ahu High- K Topetope Lulingu Tshibati 130 gorillas counted in a similar survey a land Swiz 4 years earlier. Chimpanzee numbers Sector Tshivanga a (as estimated by encounter rates with Miti Bieg Kalonge nest groups) appeared to have re- National Park Border Cyangugu Lugulu mained stable over this same period. Nindja Road WCS survey teams are now prepar- Nzovu Bukavu River Ruzizi ing to move into the remote lowland Ngoma Mountain sector where most of the park’s gorillas 0 20 km Walungu Lubimbe and chimpanzees occur, but where little

3 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 D. R. CONGO

information and essentially very limited invasive liana not eaten by gorillas or patrolling has been possible up to now. Massacres in Kivu chimpanzees. The liana has colonized These surveys will also be an important recent openings caused by fi re and cut- step in recovering this sector of the During the night of 23/24 May ting, and is now overtopping adjacent park and securing its great apes. 2005, a Nindja village was at- canopy, killing trees and bamboo and In February 2004, ICCN re-estab- tacked by an armed group calling creating large mono-dominant prairies lished the park’s two lowland sector itself Rasta that is composed that are not favoured by the apes. While stations, Itebero and Nzovu. of Rwandan Hutu and some the causal linkages leading to Serico- In May 2005, the WCS/PNKB site Congolese. 14 people were killed, stachys expansion are not yet known it manager, Innocent Liengola, travelled about 50 kidnapped and 4 injured evidently represents a threat to gorilla to Itebero station. He was accompa- severely. The massacre followed habitat, and a potential constraint on nied by the head park warden, Bernard fi ghting between the rebel groups the recovery of gorilla populations in Iyomi, who visited Hombo. This was FDLR (Forces Démocratiques the highland sector of the park. the fi rst visit by park authorities since de Libération du Rwanda) and The park’s great apes are also 1996. During this visit, park guards, Rasta. confronted by a wide range of poten- supported by selected elements of the The FDLR have lived in the tial health risks, including snare and national army from Walikale, conducted Nindja region for 2 years and other injuries from hunters as well as a security sweep of the sector, resulting have forced the population to a number of diseases easily transmit- in arrest of over 50 poachers. pay “taxes” to them; the Rasta ted between humans and apes. These Essentially all of the illegal miners raped women, treated people like risks are especially high in the highland had left the sector before the sweep be- slaves, tortured or killed them and sector where human population densi- gan. Recruitment of locally based staff stole everything they could get ties up to 300/km2 occur in some areas to join inventory teams was undertak- hold of. For each kidnapped per- bordering the park, and illegal human en through the local chiefs and church son, they demand 100 U$ pay- movement in the park continues. While leaders by the WCS project leader. A able within three days, otherwise both of the park’s great apes are at risk, camp is now being established near the victims are simply killed. the danger appears to be more signifi - Itebero and training of fi eld teams for On 4 July, UN troops launched cant for the more sedentary gorillas. the surveys initiated. an operation to drive all armed Recovery of the park, in particular The well-being of the gorillas will de- groups from the territories of Wa- some areas of the lowland sector, will pend not just upon patrolling, but also lungu and Kabare, where Nindja necessarily require time, as many of upon availability of suitable habitat. The is located. The objective is to pre- the illegal activities, in particular min- highland sector of the park is currently pare for the deployment of per- ing, have become entrenched over the undergoing an apparent explosion of manent UN troops at Ninja for as years in which ICCN lost control. In- Sericostachys scandens, a native but long as there are armed groups in deed, even before the war, large areas the area. They are to “neutralize” of this vast and remote sector were any armed resistance. Local Mai- rarely if ever reached by ICCN patrols. Mai militiamen, the FDLR and the As the ICCN moves back it will be faced Rasta operate in the area. The with choices on where to invest limited FDLR and Rasta are among the resources and staff. Accurate and cur- 8,000 Rwandan Hutu rebels who rent information on the distribution of MONUC says fl ed their country important concentrations of great apes, after the 1994 genocide. as well as the distribution and impact Another massacre took place of threats, will be essential to develop after the UN mission had started: a realistic strategy for recovery of the on 9 July, 39 people were burnt site. Effective engagement and collab- alive in their huts and about 50 oration of local populations will be re- more injured in Ntulumamba (Ka- quired to ensure that great apes will be Innocent Liengola and Bernard longe), northwest of Bukavu. Re- protected over such a huge area where Iyomi talking with Colonnel Sadam, portedly this was to discourage ICCN presence has been so limited. former Mai-Mai chief commander, at them from supporting the UN. The next 5 years will be decisive for Hombo Photo: Innocent Liengola the survival of the park. Damaged by

4 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 D. R. CONGO

war, the park could succumb as peace Park. POPOF’s aim is to involve the returns to the region. As open confl ict local communities in the long-term recedes, PNKB will enter a highly dy- protection and conservation of the park namic and challenging period as the in order to reduce human pressure on economic and demographic frontier its natural resources. advances on the region’s mineral de- “Empty stomach got not ears” is al- posits, forests and agricultural poten- ways the expression used in the dif- tial. To ensure its integrity, the park’s ferent communities living in the park’s limits must be secured, and effective vicinity; it means that they are poor and protection put in place. Well-informed jobless. Our attempts to fi ght against decisions, based on knowledge from the destructive activities of those peo- the fi eld, will be essential to permit ple damaging the park was to ICCN and its partners to invest in the 1. create jobs or occupations, and Poachers' snares collected in the site and ensure its protection. 2. to initiate the environmental education Kahuzi-Biega National Park John Hart and Innocent Liengola program, while Photo: POPOF 3. increasing public awareness for the importance of the natural resources of Dangers to Kahuzi-Biega the park to all people. Biega National Park through a number and POPOF’s Artisan Despite the hardships caused by the of activities: Program wars in the Great Lakes Region in gen- – reafforestation, eral since 1990 and in the Democratic – sewing training for Pygmy women The Pole Pole Foundation, “POPOF”, Republic of Congo in particular since (former poachers in the park), is a non-governmental organisation 1996, POPOF and other organisations – wood carvings and embroidery by created by residents and workers in did not stay inactive, and POPOF has Bantu and Pygmy men and women and around the Kahuzi-Biega National supported the area around the Kahuzi- (former poachers in the park) and

No Funds for Le Gorille Any More

Although protection of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park is considerablyconsiderably better now,now, the situation of the GTZ project is very critical. The budget for 2005 has been cut substantiallysubstantially,, as UNESCO has stopped supportisupportingng the project. Carlos Schuler is trying to continue this important work with his Congolese ICCN colleagues, but he does not know how long they will be able to continue like this. One of the many things that has sufsufferedfered from the decrease ooff funding is the magazine Le Gorille. Issue no. 12 is almost fi nished, as Carlos Schuler told us “but I‘m afraid it will be the last one (at least for this yyear‘sear‘s budget). Let‘s hope that we can fi nd new friends of nature since th thee birth of the twins.”

WeWe want to prevent the disappearance of this magazine for the people Bank Account: in the vicinity of the park. Please support us in this effort! Account number 353 344 315 Stadtsparkasse Muelheim, The total costs for one issue (the printing of 25,000 copies and trans- Germany port) are about 8,500 Euros. WeWe would like to fund the production of Bank code number 362 500 00 no. 13 of Le Gorille. IBAN DE06 3625 0000 0353 3443 15 SWIFT-BICSWIFT-BIC SPMHDE3E

5 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 D. R. CONGO

– environmental education. Silverbacks killed in the highland sector All these initiatives are aimed at im- proving the living conditions of people Name Date of death Observations living in the surroundings of the park and inviting them to participate actively Maheshe 1 3 November, 1993 fl esh and trophies in our struggle for the survival of its Mushamuka 17 April, 1997 body not found natural resources. More projects to create more occupations for these Nindja 30 October, 1997 consumed for fl esh and people are still on ice because there is for trophies no budget to get them started. Mubalala July 1999 fl esh The Main Causes of Park Destruc- Lambchop (Maheshe 2) August 1999 fl esh and trophies tion Munene August 1999 fl esh and trophies Diffi culties of the government to promote and ensure the protection Mishebere February 2003 body not found of the country’s natural resources. This had many harmful consequences. started in October 1996, several fami- carving) and instituted environmental Since 1970, there have been tracks lies were displaced from the vicinity of education for the communities in the crossing the park and, until 1996, the the Kahuzi-Biega lowland sector, and vicinity of the park. As an example of park rangers collected taxes from moved to the small highland area for these activities, we will present the people who wanted to enter the park. shelter. These and many other people artisan program here. Poaching on a high level was also are afraid of looting, rape, and shooting This program was initiated by observed. by different armed factions every day. POPOF in 1993. The main objective is Wars in the Great Lakes Region. When the gunmen enter the villagers’ to take care of the population surround- This caused an increase of the park’s houses at night, the householders give ing the Kahuzi-Biega National Park by destruction. The Rwandan refugees them money fi rst; if no money is avail- creating jobs in order to reduce and who poured into the area in 1994 re- able, the gunmen take goats or cows, fi nally to eradicate human pressure on mained a major problem for a long and then mothers-in-law, daughters-in the park’s natural resources. time, one which persists until today. law, girls, old and young are raped. After a census of poachers, POPOF The confused situation in Congo also Today, 500 persons per km2 live set up workshops for handicraft train- reinforced the diffi culties of conserva- near the park headquarters. The great ing, especially wood carving (for men) tion. The local population has illegal majority of this population near the park and embroidery (for women). The men guns, and is hunting in the park. Many is illiterate and remains totally ignorant carved souvenirs, especially of gorillas. animals have been killed and trees cut of the importance of natural resources During this phase, POPOF received down for a diversity of purposes. More- conservation. Because of their poverty, funds from Japan for the plantation of over, 7 silverbacks of the habituated the villagers make incursions into the carving wood trees such as Markhamia gorilla groups were shot between 1990 park and practice illegal activities such lutea and Jacaranda mimosifolia. The and 2003. as cutting trees and bamboo, as well plants were distributed to the local pop- Population explosion around as trapping animals. At the same time, the park. The Kahuzi-Biega National they look for precious ores, such as Park is located in an overpopulated re- gold, coltan and cassiterite. There are gion. Six different peoples live in the also confl icts between the park and the park’s surroundings: Bashi, Batembo, local population; crop-raiding animals, Bakano, Banyanga, and Batwa (Pyg- for example, are a common cause of mies). The Bashi breed cows, goats confl ict. and sheep; the other fi ve are forest peoples who live from hunting and har- Artisan Program vesting fruits, wild vegetables, mush- To involve the local population and rooms and honey. improve their living conditions, POPOF, The average number of children in with support of its partners and friends, Gorilla sculptures produced by the each family is six. During the war that created the artisan program (wood wood carvers

6 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 D. R. CONGO

ulation to cultivate them in the fi elds aim of POPOF. To do this, we need clear that the Massif’s great apes were and gardens, or as borders to their to create many more initiatives. The under threat. At least fi ve of the gorilla fi elds. POPOF paid US$ 5 for each handicrafts programme initiated by populations found by Schaller had al- mature tree, and received further ma- POPOF essentially aims at creating ready disappeared, the area they had terial for carving through the POPOF jobs for former poachers (Bantu and occupied having been deforested. offi ce in Japan and PIC (Partners In Batwa Pygmies) so as to progressively The 1996 surveys were followed Conservation). reduce their natural resource predation in 1998 by the fi rst efforts to estab- Today, the POPOF artisan produc- in the park. lish conservation zones in the region. tion includes the embroidery of patches The outstanding method that Four agreements were negotiated with refl ecting different faces of gorillas. The POPOF uses to spread environmental chefs coutumiers to protect some of wood carvers produce souvenirs of go- education in the park’s neighbourhood the most vulnerable gorilla populations rillas, giraffes, rhinoceros, zebras, and is to build schools. The kindergarten, and their fragmented habitats on the other animals. Cow horns and metal the primary and the secondary schools Tanganyikan Escarpment Forest, bor- are also used for sculpture. Since (which will have a forestry section from dering the Itombwe Massif to the east. 1994, the number of items produced September 2005) are already function- The chiefs agreed to cooperate with has increased from 300 to more than ing. Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) 1900 per year. They are partly used by We are convinced that this is the in controlling hunting and deforestation the environmental education program only way to promote a harmonious, in these areas. Unfortunately, this pi- as teaching materials, but many are good and close mutual relationship be- lot project, funded by USAID, was cut sold, mainly at an international level tween PNKB and the population. In this short by the resurgence of civil war in – in Japan and the USA – to provide way, human pressure on the park will the region. an income for the project (paying art- be progressively reduced. It was not until 2002 that fi eld teams, ists etc.) and other activities by POPOF John Kahekwa funded by Fauna and Flora Interna- for the long-term conservation of the tional (FFI), and directed by Interna- park’s wildlife and habitat. tional Gorilla Conservation Programme The project faced many diffi cul- Conservation of Gorillas (IGCP) and WCS were able to return ties because of the unstable situation. and Chimpanzees in the to the Massif. This expedition focused There have been a loss of people, Itombwe Massif lootings, rapes, and many hardships, which often disheartened the artisans. The entire Itombwe Massif and Plateau Moreover, in May and June 2004 the covers about 12,000 km2 of which POPOF offi ce was looted systemati- an unbroken block, covering about cally (nothing was left!) including tools 6,500 km2, and ranging from 1,500 for carving, computers, GPS, cameras to 3,500 m in elevation, is covered and the money for the Pygmies’ clothes almost entirely by forests, bamboo, sewing project by the Dian Fossey Go- moorland heath and a unique high rilla Fund-Europe. All our investments elevation forest savanna ecotone. This of 12 years disappeared in one day. area, which is designated the Itom- Another problem is the lack of funds bwe Massif Conservation Landscape, for the project; this unavoidably means contains the most important ape that the artisans lose motivation. More- populations and represents the most over, the huts we use as workshops signifi cant prospects for conservation are very old, and leak when there is a of the region’s endemic Albertine Rift little rain. POPOF wants to fi nd more biodiversity. funds to keep this program working and 1996 surveys confi rmed 10 of 17 to extend its activities to other villages gorilla populations (9 in the Itombwe Initial core protected areas developed from 2003-05 Wildlife Conservation Society near the park. Massif Conservation Landscape) iden- Areassurveys in areas surveyed identified by the 2002 within Fauna and Flor thea International Itombwe expedition. tifi ed in 1959 by George Schaller dur- Massif Conservation Landscape Conclusion ing the fi rst gorilla survey of the region, from 2003 to 2005 and areas with Integrating the local population in the as well as at least 5 areas containing gorilla/chimpanzee signs conservation of PNKB is the main chimpanzees. Even at that time it was Map: Wildlife Conservation Society

Itombwe Ape Conservation, Page 2 7 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 D. R. CONGO

on the Central Massif (Elila Sector), major increase in hunting and mining Station) received two more young where many of the known great ape throughout the area, putting the re- chimpanzees that were both captured concentrations were located. The FFI maining large mammal fauna at very in Lubero territory in the Manguredjipa expedition established that despite the high risk. Forest near Butembo. In February confl ict and insecurity centered on the At the same time, the Congolese 2005, a young chimpanzee which had savannas and escarpment above the National Parks Institute, ICCN, re- been held captive by a Mai-Mai was lake, most of the Massif, in particular newed its interest in having a protected confi scated by Jacques Mukosasenge; the forested highlands remained rela- area established in the Massif. In early the two new ones were confi scated tively calm. 2005, ICCN established an Itombwe by Bishweka and by Bolamba, both During this expedition, Yuma M’keyo, working group with terms of reference wardens at the Maïko National Park. team leader, contacted traditional to promote conservation activities, de- They arrived within a few days at chiefs, representing 6 groupements, velop a site base map, and coordinate Kasugho and were transferred to the the administrative unit comprising a engagement with local communities, Katoyo Sanctuary. number of related villages that would across the Massif. A fi rst meeting of Before their confi scation, these two be responsible for enforcing and moni- the working group took place in Bukavu little chimpanzees were held in captivity toring community conservation agree- in April. A second meeting is planned to by army commandos, who might have ments. These authorities identifi ed over take place in Miki, in the Central Mas- killed their parents in the Mangured- 50 forest areas, or “maternities” that sif, later this year launching the devel- jipa Forest. It was during the mixing of they considered priorities for conserva- opment of conservation zones through the soldiers from various army factions tion, and agreed to work with ICCN and the working group. into one integrated National Army that NGO projects to protect these sites and While all of this is positive, physi- local people, who had already been in- their wildlife. Later, in 2003, Denis Bali- cal delimitation of conservation zones, formed that keeping a primate without wa, coordinator of a local conservation agreed regulations determining use permission is illegal, alerted guards of NGO, negotiated further agreements in and control of hunting, and how these the Maïko National Park. two groupements near the Ulindi River will be enforced have yet to be es- The people of the region also de- (Muhuzi-Buzinda). tablished. Some traditional authorities cided to set up a sanctuary at Kasugho Unfortunately, few of the “materni- have already circulated edicts forbid- for confi scated primates. There is a ties” identifi ed by the traditional au- ding hunting of gorilla and buffalo. number of advantages in having this thorities could be accurately located on However the mechanisms to enforce sanctuary; fi rst of all, it is located near maps, and none had proper inventories these are still unclear. the Tayna Center for Conservation Bi- to determine the fauna they contained. The region remains at very high risk. ology (Université de la Conservation de In addition, signifi cant areas of the The Itombwe’s extraordinary biodiver- la Nature et du Développement à Kas- West Mwana and North Ulindi sectors sity could be lost if uncontrolled hunt- ugho “TCCB/UCNDK”), and students of the Massif had never been fully ex- ing, deforestation and habitat degra- can use it for research. plored, and their conservation potential dation continue. The war has opened Another advantage is that the local remained unknown. Between 2003 and the Itombwe Massif to unprecedented population, who have by now come April 2005, Leonard Mubalama of WCS exploitation. As confl ict ends and secu- to understand conservation principles led a series of expeditions that began rity is recovered, these threats will con- very well, will collaborate with the per- to fi ll gaps in the knowledge of these tinue to grow. Community conservation sonnel of the sanctuary and other con- areas and confi rmed additional agree- zones represent a potential mechanism servation agents and guards from the ments from the traditional authorities. to protect the Massif’s critical habitats parks in confi scating animals kept il- The Mubalama expeditions verifi ed wildlife at this critical juncture in the legally. presence of great apes and provided region’s history. Government offi cials visited the Ka- a fi rst consolidation of the maternities John Hart and Leonard Mubalama toyo sanctuary and gave it the green into 11 potential community conserva- light. The staff will continue organizing tion zones, centered on great ape loca- public awareness campaigns against tions in the Massif. At the same time, Two Young Chimpanzees poaching, illegal keeping of wild ani- the urgency for action became ever Confi scated mals, and traffi cking of primates for more apparent. Although the highland commercial gain. This education will forests had escaped the direct impact The Katoyo sanctuary at Kasugho continue at Butembo, Beni and Lubero; of the confl ict, the war had led to a (the Tayna Gorilla Reserve Research these places suffered from the long war

8 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 D. R. CONGO

that made some people live without on training young people at TCCB to any respect for the law and for conser- prepare them for becoming agents in vation, and still look to earn money by conservation and protecting nature re- traffi cking primates. sources. To change this mentality, more pub- It is also in this perspective that the lic awareness campaigns are needed. TCCB Wildlife Club is starting in order The country has just come out of a to prepare our long-term ambassadors very long and destructive war, many for community-based conservation. Our government institutions collapsed, ambassadors need preparation and and law enforcement is still not work- training in educating and disseminat- ing effectively. To keep up its work, the ing mesological education to the local sanctuary needs partners funding its population. The aim of this campaign operation, which is very expensive. For is to allow them to also participate ac- example, the number of staff needs to tively in conservation and the protec- be increased. tion of nature resources to reduce the In the Democratic Republic of Congo bushmeat trade. and other armed confl ict areas, many Pierre Kakule Vwirasihikya more primates are kept by high-ranking authorities in the local administration and the army. It takes us plenty of time Gorilla Orphans in to convince them to deliver these ani- Rwanda and Congo: Believing in the power of their mals to us; it is really a diffi cult task to Update ancestors to protect the gorillas, convince them to free the animals. Pygmies organize a mutton sacri- Eating primates has also become a The male eastern lowland gorilla fi cial ceremony at Kahuzi-Biega. new trend due to contacts with peo- (confi scated in Rwanda, November Photo: Carlos Schuler ple who came from different regions 2003), the female eastern lowland go- during the wars. These strangers have rilla (confi scated in Goma, Democratic Twin Boom in Eastern transmitted or disseminated this men- Re public of Congo, July 2004) and the Gorillas tality among the local people who are female mountain gorilla (confi scated in nowadays imitating this behaviour. As Rwanda December 2004) are all doing In the last issue of the Gorilla Journal a result, some armed men on 7 June, well. Each has a dedicated team of (no. 29) we reported of two twin births 2005, wiped out an entire gorilla family caregivers providing round-the-clock in Rwanda and Kahuzi-Biega – in the at Pinga, Walikale Territory – a domi- care. meantime, two additional twin pairs nant silverback male, two females and Care for the eastern lowland gorillas were born in eastern gorillas! a baby whose sex was not identifi ed. is being provided by collaboration be- After these killings it was noticed that tween the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Another Twin Birth in Kahuzi-Biega one of the gorilla females was preg- Project, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund After the survey in October 2004, we nant. International, and the wildlife authori- were surprised and pleased to fi nd that The poachers took the meat of the ties of Rwanda (ORTPN) and Congo the number of gorillas had increased dead gorillas for sale to the population (ICCN). during the last 5 years of the war (see who refused to buy and eat it because The same organizations, with addi- page 3). This good news refl ects the according to them, gorillas are protect- tional support from IGCP, are caring efforts of the PNKB-GTZ Project, which ed animals and the law forbids killing for the mountain gorilla. Discussions has worked under extremely diffi cult them; moreover, thelocal people state about future options for these orphans conditions during the long years of that the gorillas very much look like hu- are being led by a technical support war. Trackers, managers and others man beings. committee, comprised of representa- connected to the project, and people To counteract this trend and this new tives of the same organizations. working in ICCN, took enormous risks behaviour, we realized that the local Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project without concern for their own safety people should be educated and trained during this period of uncertainty. And in conservation philosophy and princi- here is their fi rst reward. Their work ples. For this reason, emphasis is put continues, with other participants.

9 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 D. R. CONGO

The high-altitude part of the park, the former home of the Bami people (with Kabare and Nakalonge as their chiefs), used to be inhabited by Pyg- mies. They believe that the gorillas live in symbiosis with the spirits of the dead ancestors buried in this forest. It should be pointed out that 30% of the park’s workforce consists of Pygmies. They request periodically that we sacrifi ce mutton to their ancestors to ask them Chimanuka (above) and Mugaruka to protect the gorillas. The last such (below) with injuries after the fi ghts sacrifi ce took place at the foot of Mt. Photos: Carlos Schuler Bugulumiza on 21 April 2005. After the sacrifi cial ceremony had taken place, we observed the birth of twins on 29 April 2005, in the family of Chimanuka, who is the 19-year old son of Maheshe. The twins’ mother is called Nabintu, which means “the one who brings wealth”. It is also the name Mugaruka; his missing hand is of the wife of the great chief Kabare. clearly visible. Nabintu is a primiparous female who Photo: Rick Murphy transferred to Chimanuka from the silverback Mugaruka, who is also 19 battle, one of Birindwa’s females trans- years old, and has lost one hand. ferred to the victorious Chimanuka, de- The two babies are called Musho- creasing the number of individuals in ho, which means “cashier” and which Birindwa’s group from 8 to 7. Although was the name of one of our long serv- he won the battle, Chimanuka received ing and famous Pygmy trackers who two wounds on his left shoulder. Furious died in service in 1980, and Busasa in with his defeat, Birindwa initiated an memory of a brave guard who died last interaction with his old rival Mugaruka year. The twins are still fi rmly clinging on 14 May 2005, to try to obtain some to their mother’s breast. They enjoy the protection of the whole gorilla group females to restore his numbers. But in and are perfectly well. Mother Nabintu vain: in spite of his handicap of a miss- is not yet completely habituated to the ing hand, and contrary to his previous presence of people, and she frequently behaviour, Mugaruka defended himself hides with her two babies. Since the valiantly. He kept all his females but wholesale killing of elephants between received two slight injuries on the neck 1996 and 1999, the undergrowth has and on the left hand. closed up and observations have be- In the meantime, the two new ba- come more diffi cult, but even so we bies are getting their fi rst experience of manage to observe mother Nabintu the forest of the Kahuzi-Biega National and her twins almost every day. Park. After a few more days of rain the Currently, the silverbacks are fi rm- dry season will begin. The end of the ly occupied with the fruiting season, rains, and more agreeable tempera- which has just started. The young lead- tures, during the fi rst few months of ers are busy looking for the best groups their lives bodes well for Mushoho and Nabintu with her twins Mushoho of large Myrianthus trees. Chimanuka Busasa. and Busasa attacked the silverback Birindwa on 10 Bernard Iyomi Iyatshi and Photo: Carlos Schuler May 2005. At the end of the two-day Carlos Schuler

10 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 UGANDA

Bwindi: Only One Twin Survives They were given the names Byishimo On 25 December 2004, twins were born (happiness) and Impano (gift). in the Nkuringo group. On 2 January From an AP report by Edward Rwema 2005, the guide Paul Mugisha noticed that one of the babies was dead while Barcelona Zoo he was taking a group of tourists to As we already mentioned in the last the gorillas. The cause of death, which issue of the Gorilla Journal, another had probably occurred one day earlier, pair of twins was born in Barcelona is not known. It is the fi rst birth of the Zoo. They increased the twin ratio in mother, Kirungi; the father of the twins captivity again. In 2004 40 gorilla births is the group’s silverback, Safari. were recorded in the International Information by John Makombo and Gorilla Studbook and this means that Ghad Mugiri up to the end of 2004 there was one Safari twin birth in 123 births in zoos. Photo: Michele Goldsmith Rwanda: Twins Have Names Now Information by Undine Bender During an public offi cial naming event J. Paterson) but to report on some of on 25 June, 30 young mountain gorillas the experiences from the past 4 years from the habituated groups in Rwanda Impacts of Habituation and to provide recommendations for were given names. The twins born in improvement of gorilla well-being. May 2004 were named by Rwandan for Ecotourism on the The main issue of well-being in this President Paul Kagame and his wife. Gorillas of Nkuringo group (as well as those in Buhoma) is The gorillas of Bwindi have been that after they lose their fear of humans habituated for ecotourism in the region they begin to use of areas outside the of Buhoma since April of 1993. The park boundary, which can infl uence original Mubare group is still intact and both their health and behaviour. With continues to be visited daily by tourists. regard to health, studies emphasize Another original group, Katendegyere, the need for more precautions (e.g., disappeared from the area and was Homsy 1999; Woodford et al. 2002) later replaced by the large Habinyanja as habituated gorilla groups have been group, which has since fi ssioned (one shown to have increased endo- and group retains the original name while ecto-parasitic loads (Graczyk et al. the other is called Akatale). Tourism 2001; Nizeyi et al. 2001) and compli- was proposed for a fourth group, cations with respiratory infections and Nkuringo, in an area outside of Buhoma measles (Hastings et. al. 1991). With (a six hour walk southeast of Buhoma). regard to behavioural changes, little Although started in 1996, habituation research has been conducted due to was not complete until 1998 and “mock” tight restrictions of visitation to these tourism was not implemented until April groups and a policy of “no research” on 2004. tourist gorilla groups. This has changed My research team began study- recently as managers and govern- ing the impacts of habituation on the ment wildlife offi cials start recognizing behavioural ecology of this group in the need for this information. The fi rst 1999, but our work was cut short by such study on direct impacts of actual the massacre in Buhoma in March of tourist visits was recently conducted The twins from Barcelona with that year. We began again in July 2001 in Volcanoes National Park (Steklis et their keeper Ms. Jarczewski in the and have been following the Nkuringo al. 2004). Among other fi ndings, they Stuttgart Zoo Wilhelma. She is group on almost a daily basis since. demonstrated that tourist gorilla groups holding Kissa and Makoua in her My aim in this report is not to present spent signifi cantly more time moving at arms, the twins Kiri and Kera are in scientifi c data as they will appear else- the expense of feeding when tourists the foreground. where (e.g., in the upcoming book Pri- were with the gorillas. A similar study Photo: Wilhelma mates of Southwestern Uganda, ed. by has since been conducted in Buhoma

11 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 UGANDA

(page 13) and is in progress on the Nkuringo group. Our data demonstrate that Nkuringo spends most of their time outside the park boundary (76% of their nest sites; see map below) and although rules and regulations exist for tourism purposes (to reduce potential contact between gorillas and humans) they may not be strict enough (Homsy 1999) and they are not always followed in the Virungas (McNeilage 1996) or Bwindi (Macfi e 1997). An even less controlled situa- tion exists regarding contact with local people living in surrounding communi- ties. In Bwindi, gorilla groups used for tourism live close to the park edge; a decision made to reduce impact of the park by providing most of its in- frastructure outside the boundary. The area surrounding Bwindi in southwest- ern Uganda, however, maintains one Banana plantation after the Nkuringo group used it of the highest densities of rural human Photo: Michele Goldsmith habitation (about 200–300 people per km2) and one of the highest population was no buffer zone present during most ing to include humans in this equation. growth rates in the world (ranging from of this study. This means that if gorillas While outside the park, the gorillas also 1.7 to 4.5% in some districts; Ministry venture out of the park there is a high tended to nest on and near watersheds, of Planning and Economic Develop- likelihood there will be problems with resulting in large amounts of dung en- ment 1997). In addition, agricultural health, safety, crop raiding, tourism tering water sources. The preference land abuts the park boundary as there (as most tourists are dissatisfi ed with for these areas may be problematic in watching gorillas in people’s fi elds), that it can contaminate drinking water and relations between local people and and pollute water fl owing into the Ka- Butogota Kanungu park offi cials. shasha River. During our study, gorillas devastat- Although Nkuringo tended to stay ed many banana plantations and also within 400 m outside the park bound- fed on eucalyptus and sweet potato. ary, they did sometimes venture far, a It was up to the rangers (or the HUGO few times nesting near the main road in Buhoma – Human Gorilla Confl ict Force – team) the town of Ntungamo (at least 1.2 km Kitahurira to chase them out of the fi elds, which from the park boundary). When far from

Nteko increased risks of aggressive encoun- the park or raiding crops, they were Bwindi Impenetrable ters. We also often found gorilla and often scared off and chased, which National Park Ruhija human dung in close association (e.g., could increase stress levels. In addi- a knuckle print was found in one speci- tion, the Nkuringo group has suffered men of human dung). The human dung chronically from scabies infections that Nests of the was loaded with nematodes. Baboons require veterinary intervention. Each Nkuringo group also use these areas and a preliminary intervention resulted in increased path analysis found that both gorillas and length and more than likely contributed Bwindi Impenetrable National Park baboons share many parasites (Hope to stress. with the area where the nests of the et al. 2004). Most were of bovine origin, Hopefully, data on how habituation Nkuringo group were found which is not surprising as cattle graze infl uences habitat use will be useful in Drawn with data from the author within these areas. It would be interest- implementing full tourism on this group

12 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 UGANDA

in the future. In fact, GIS maps from areas until management can cut down think what would have happened if one this study have been used by UWA and remove all crop plants within the of the gorillas had charged any of the (Ugandan Wildlife Authority) and IGCP buffer zone. gun-carrying soldiers. We also found (International Gorilla Conservation Pro- Daily monitoring of the group has them sleeping, cooking, urinating and gramme) to help determine where tour- many benefi ts, including the keeping defecating along the trail as we headed ist facilities should be set up to ease of health reports on each individual. back to camp. Although I understand impact on the group. In addition, past As mentioned above, this group has there is some training for army person- study reports had recommended the suffered chronically from scabies, nel in relation to gorillas, these troops implementation of a buffer zone, which which is monitored by the rangers and had not been briefed. It is strongly rec- has since been completed. Although treated by veterinarians. The reporting ommend that all army personnel be these 350 extra meters are benefi cial, of health issues is extremely helpful; trained or be led by UWA rangers be- it is important to note that gorillas do however, reports are not always fol- fore they travel in the park. range more than 1 km outside the park lowed to their fullest. When I was last Within the Nkuringo area, conser- boundary. Proper management of this in Bwindi a 5-month-old infant died and vation issues abound. When gorillas zone, which is still in consideration af- then her mother was found dead one come out of the forest they threaten ter more than a year that it has been month later. Neither body was collected their own health as well as the health of in place, is crucial to keep the gorillas for necropsy nor was a thorough inves- the surrounding human population. By from exiting this area and once again tigation into the cause of death con- collecting data on when and why goril- entering agricultural fi elds. During my ducted. When I left a few days after the las come outside of the park, we can last fi eld season in June/July 2004, the female’s death, 4 gorillas in the group equip local managers with information buffer zone was being used heavily by were coughing. It is recommended that on how to reduce the occurrence. By Nkuringo. As they used this area they Bwindi managers devise a protocol for examining the impacts of habituation were allowed to feed on and destroy health reports and necropsy as one for ecotourism, we can better protect the crop plants (mostly bananas) that contagious illness could devastate the and manage greatly endangered popu- had been left behind by the farmers entire population. Long-term health re- lations. We must always keep in mind who had moved out. Rangers made ports on individuals should be kept and that the benefi ts of tourism to the goril- little effort to chase the group as this each death should result in an exten- las must always outweigh the costs. region was now considered a continu- sive necropsy which should include tis- Michele L. Goldsmith ation of the park. This is unfortunate. sue collection and storage. (UWA may Whereas the gorillas were continually also want to consider donating each I gratefully acknowledge the National chased in the past, they were now free skeleton and skull to museums and/or Geographic Society, UWA, the Ugan- to eat in peace. Once these plants universities in Uganda or other coun- dan National Council of Science and within the buffer zone are gone, what tries as a wealth of information is lost Technology, IGCP, ITFC (Institute of is to stop them from leaving the zone, with each individual.) Tropical Forest Conservation), my hard once again, to raid fi elds abutting the A major health threat that has not working and dedicated research assist- zone? It is recommended that rangers received enough attention is the pres- ants (especially Joel Glick and Evarist continue to chase gorillas from these ence and traveling of army personnel in Ngabarino), and the wonderfully skillful the area. Since the massacre, the army and patient rangers of Nkuringo. escorts all visits to the gorillas. Over References 100 soldiers are stationed in the Nteko Graczyk, T. K. et al. (2001) Hyperkeratotic area. During my last fi eld season, we mange caused by Sarcoptes scabiei (Acari- witnessed over 75 soldiers on their formes: Sarcoptidae) in juvenile human-ha- bituated mountain gorillas (Gorilla gorilla ber- journey to Nteko as they walked right ingei). Parasitology Research 87, 1024–1028 through the Nkuringo group, which was Hastings, B. E. et al. (1991) Mountain gorillas spread across the most popular foot- and measles: Ontogeny of a wildlife vaccina- tion program. Proceedings of AAZA meetings, path right outside the park boundary 198–205 (see photo). We were fortunate to be Homsy, J. (1999) Ape Tourism and Human there with rangers who were able to Diseases: How Close Should we Get? A Criti- make their passage safe. Many, if not cal Review of the Rules and Regulations Gov- erning Park Management and Tourism for Wild Soldiers passing all of the men in the army, have never Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla gorilla beringei). Un- Photo: Michele Goldsmith seen a gorilla and it is frightening to published report of the Consultancy for the In-

13 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 UGANDA

ternational Gorilla Conservation Programme, ing time before the tourists entered the the gorillas to less than 7 m, clearing Nairobi, Kenya park and while with gorillas in the fi eld vegetation, making noise, pointing a Hope, K. et al. (2004) Parasitic health of ol- ive baboons in Bwindi Impenetrable National to assess their actions/behaviours. fi nger, and belch vocalisation) cause Park, Uganda. Veterinary Parasitology 122, behavioural disturbances to gorillas 165–170 Results such as fl eeing, moving off with food in Macfi e, E. (1997) Gorilla tourism in Uganda. Gorilla Journal 15, 16–17 The habituation process itself certainly the mouth, charging, fl attening vegeta- McNeilage, A. (1996) Ecotourism and moun- has an impact on the gorillas and is tion, and shielding their heads. Self-di- tain gorillas in the Virunga Volcanoes. In: Tay- perhaps the most stressful time for them. rected behaviours such as self-groom- lor, V. J. & Dunstone, N. (eds.) The Exploitation Regular visits by people disrupt normal ing and scratching occurred more fre- of Mammal Populations. London (Chapman and Hall) gorilla behaviour in various ways, even quently during tourist visits than before Ministry of Planning and Economic Develop- after the habituation process has been and after them. These are indicators of ment (1997) The Republic of Uganda 1997 completed. Any behavioural changes emotional arousal and stress. Indices Statistical Abstract, Uganda, 18–19 caused by tourist visits represent an of high behavioural disturbance should Nizeyi, J. B. et al. (2001) Campylobacteriosis, salmonellosis and shigellosis in free-ranging undesirable disturbance to the natural be monitored; in particular, any fl eeing human-habituated mountain gorillas of Ugan- behaviour patterns. observed during visits should act as a da. J. Wildlife Diseases 37, 239–244 There is a high risk of disease trans- warning to guides and tourists not to Schmitt, T. M. (1997) Close encounter with go- rillas at Bwindi. Gorilla Journal 14, 12–13 mission to gorillas and vice versa, and follow the animals further. Steklis, H. D. et al. (2004) The impact of tour- of causing behavioural disturbance and Rangers’ compliance with the rules ism on mountain gorillas. Folia Primatol. 75 stress to gorillas and injuries to tourists and regulations that prevent disease (Suppl 1), 40–41 and ranger guides since most of the transmission to gorillas were scored as Woodford, M. H. et al. (2002) Habituating the great apes: the disease risks. Oryx 36, rules for the visits and their justifi cations “fair”; for those rules that minimize be- 153–160 are not well explained to the tourists by havioural disturbance and stress, and the ranger guides, and are frequently prevent the risk of injury for tourists, broken while the visitors are with the they were scored as poor. The Impact of Tourism gorillas. The ranger guides themselves on the Behaviour of are not well conversant with some of Recommendations Mountain Gorillas the gorilla rules and why they were put The results suggest that some rules in place. The tourists tend not to obey need to be changed, and further rules Tourism based on gorilla viewing is most of the rules while with gorillas. need to be added, and there needs to an important strategy in the conserva- There was a statistical difference in be much stricter enforcement of the tion of mountain gorillas in Uganda, the activity budget of the Mubare group rules and regulations that concern Rwanda and the Democratic Republic before, during and after tourist visits. the minimization of behavioural dis- of Congo. High fees are charged for The gorillas spent more time with visual turbances and stress, and preventing such visits, generating considerable scanning when tourists, ranger guides diseases and risks of injury to humans. revenue for the Governments. Much and trackers were present, and we This requires independent supervision has been written about the ecology found a signifi cant negative correlation and behaviour of gorillas, but an area between the proportion of glances and that has received little attention is the tourist-gorilla distance. Moreover, there impact of tourism on mountain gorilla was a signifi cant difference of in-group behaviour. cohesion before, during, and after tour- A recent study assessed the impact ist visits. During the visits, there were of tourism on the behaviour of mountain on average more gorillas around the gorillas and evaluated the possible in- silverback; this indicates greater cohe- fl uence of ranger guides, trackers and sion. The presence of tourists caused tourists. The activity budget (feeding, increased travel, but there was no sig- movement pattern, responses to hu- nifi cant correlation between the daily mans and social interactions within the path length of the Mubare and Habin- group) was measured before, during yanja gorilla groups and the number of and after tourist visits. In addition, rang- tourists. A visitor watching a mountain ers and tourists were evaluated on go- Tourists’, rangers’ and trackers’ ac- gorilla feeding rilla rules and regulations during brief- tions/behaviours (such as approaching Photo: Fortunate Muyambi

14 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 UGANDA

and periodical monitoring at all levels of distance of 7 m between gorillas and Uganda Losing Gorillas to tourist operations by a well-trained and tourists” because the gorillas reacted motivated staff. less if the distance was 7 m. Even at Rwanda The one-hour limit per visit per day this distance, the gorillas are clearly On April 18, the Ugandan newspaper rule should be maintained because visible for the observers. This was also New Vision reported that the Nyakagezi tourist visits have an impact on gorilla recommended by Jaco Homsy in 1999 group (the only habituated gorilla group activity patterns. In particular, less feed- to reduce the risk of disease transmis- in the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park) ing is a strong justifi cation for maintain- sion. had been in Rwanda since October ing this limit. The existing gorilla tourist brochure 2004 and the UWA was losing hope Tourists were frequently between should be improved to include all rules that it would return to Uganda. From the the gorillas and rangers, and this re- and regulations with their justifi cations, start of gorilla tourism, this group had quires one more rule to be added in the and should be distributed to tour op- crossed the border to the Democratic current list: “Tourists should not stay erators and the booking desk at UWA Republic of Congo from time to time, between gorillas and ranger guides or (Uganda Wildlife Authority) headquar- but usually it returned after a few days trackers”. This would be enforced to ters and be given to tourists prior to or weeks. This long absence was avoid the risks of injury to tourists and the visits. This will prepare the tourists unusual. to minimize behavioural disturbances before briefi ng time at the park. The On April 25, the same newspaper in the gorillas. brochure should include fi nes for each reported “Gorillas Return to Mgahin- Ranger guides and trackers should rule that is broken. ga”. During the group’s 6-month stay be trained on visitor handling and on The tourism warden should ask tour- in Rwanda, the number of group mem- gorilla rules and regulations and their ists verbally or through a feedback form bers had increased – from 11 to 13 justifi cations, as well as on gorilla be- how the visits were conducted, to see individuals. One of the two additional haviours. Policy issues on tourism op- if the rules were broken and to assess group members was a new female erations in protected areas should also the quality of interpretation, and of the from a wild group and the other one be explained to them. guides’ explanations of the rules and was a baby. Ranger guides and trackers should their justifi cations. This ensures the According to the New Vision, an stop clearing vegetation with a pan- monitoring of rangers and trackers dur- offi cial said “We hope they won’t go ga, pointing fi ngers, making noise and ing tourist visits and exposes areas of back” – but he hoped in vain. Six days making vocalisations such as the belch tourism operations that need to be im- later the gorillas were back in Rwanda vocalisation or mimicking chest-beats proved through training. around the Sabinyo. This means that so that tourists can photograph the Finally, meetings of ranger guides, no gorilla tourism was possible during gorillas face on, as this disturbs the trackers and the park management the absence of the apes and that it is gorillas. should be held once a month to en- uncertain when tourism can start again To enforce gorilla rules, tourists force and monitor the rules and man- in the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. should be fi ned and ranger guides pun- agement. Through these meetings, the ished for every rule broken; this can be management will come to know the policed by the Warden for tourism. Af- problems the rangers and trackers face ter the fi rst warning, cameras should be during tourist visits and make sugges- confi scated when used with a fl ash in tions for improvements. the presence of the gorillas. The issue Fortunate Muyambi of corruption must also be dealt with by I did this research for my MSc in the management authority, no matter Environment and Natural Resources how strict and effective the rules are; Management at Makerere University if there are ranger and tracker guides Institute of Environment and Natural who are tempted after tourist visits to Resources Management. It was break the rules for fi nancial gain (so funded by the Compton Foundation, called tips), then the rules are essen- USA. The Institute of Tropical Forest tially impotent. Conservation (ITFC) supervised this Gorilla rule number 9 (minimum dis- research work. Virunga gorillas during a visit by a tance of 5 m between gorillas and tour- tourist group ists) should be changed to “minimum Photo: Christoph Lübbert

15 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 GORILLAS

Update on Nigeria: Recent a ‘partnership’ of conservation NGOs United States Fish and Wildlife Service including Fauna and Flora International it has been agreed that FFI will coor- Work by the Wildlife (FFI), NCF, Pandrillus and WCS. dinate a full and independent review Conservation Society Our gorilla monitoring work at Afi is of the biological and socio-economic In Gorilla Journal 16 (June 1998) currently based on sweep censuses of context of gorilla-based tourism at Afi John Oates summarized the current the mountain every three months. The before any habituation programme is information on the Cross River gorilla last census in March 2005 was coor- attempted. Gorilla gorilla diehli in Nigeria. Since dinated by newly recruited research then our knowledge of the four sub- offi cer, Inaoyom Imong, and with fi ve Mbe Mountains populations (Afi River Forest Reserve, teams it was possible to survey the en- Occupying a key position in the the Mbe Mountains, the Boshi Ex- tire mountain in only 7 days. A total of landscape linking Afi Mountain Wildlife tension Forest and the Okwa Hills 22 gorilla nest sites were found includ- Sanctuary to Cross River National Park – both sites located within the Okwang- ing 10 recent (less than 2 weeks old) and Cameroon, the Mbe Mountains are wo Division of Cross River National nest sites. The data from this survey community-owned land that currently Park) has increased signifi cantly. suggest the presence of one group of lack any formal conservation status. As a collaborative venture between at least 23 individuals concentrated in WCS has supported gorilla monitoring the Wildlife Conservation Society the southern-central area of the sanc- work in the Mbe Mountains since 2002, (WCS) and the Nigerian Conservation tuary, and the possible presence of an- and a small team of fi eld assistants has Foundation (NCF), the Biodiversity other small group of about 4 animals. been able to track two small groups of Research Programme was established Evidence of gorillas was discovered in gorillas, one of at least 7 individuals in 2001 to facilitate and support the Olum area for the fi rst time since and one of at least 5. More recently a biodiversity research in southeastern a devastating fi re swept through the mountain-wide census of Mbe found Nigeria. Particular attention is being area in 1997. Chimpanzees, drills and recent clusters of 7 and 5 nests, and given to endangered primates, including three other species of monkey were also discovered sites of 11 and 2 nests the critically endangered Cross River also encountered. More censuses are in other areas of the mountain. This gorilla. needed to increase the reliability of our would indicate a total population of at estimates, and further insights should least 25 individuals, similar to previous Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary come from the genetic analysis of fae- estimates. Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary was cal samples collected at Afi by Richard In 2005 the Biodiversity Research created out of the Afi River Forest Bergl (Gorilla Journal 29, December Programme recruited fi ve eco-guards Reserve in 2000 specifi cally for Cross 2004). from the surrounding villages in an ef- River gorilla conservation, and is Despite the creation of a wildlife fort to reduce levels of poaching and managed by the Cross River State sanctuary and support from a number reinforce community rules and regu- Forestry Commission with support from of NGOs, Afi is currently beset by a lations that currently govern wildlife number of conservation problems in- management on the mountain. Based cluding poaching, habitat loss and frag- at a simple research camp high up on mentation due to logging and agricul- the slopes of the mountain these eco- tural expansion. Fortunately no recent guards collect basic gorilla monitoring reports of gorilla poaching have been data and their presence also acts to received. deter poaching. However, hunting is The Cross River State Forestry not the only threat facing gorillas and Commission, supported by the tourism other wildlife in the Mbe Mountains. plans of the dynamic Governor of Cross The mountains are poorly protected River State, Donald Duke, is currently and are subject to logging, encroach- advocating a program of gorilla habitu- ment for agriculture, fi re, erosion and ation at Afi ; with fewer than 30 gorillas landslides. As farms from surrounding remaining, however, we believe that villages slowly spread up the steep hill- Approximate distribution of the until the mountain is effectively protect- sides, the Mbe Mountains are gradu- Cross River gorilla in Nigeria. ed against poaching the habituation of ally becoming more and more isolated Topographic relief shown in shades such a small and vulnerable population from the surrounding forest blocks. De- of grey. Map: Richard Bergl is extremely risky. With support from the prived of links to Afi Mountain Wildlife

16 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 GORILLAS

Sanctuary and Cross River National of at least 12 gorillas in that area al- Like many other government serv- Park, the small population of gorillas though these fi ndings are only pre- ices in Nigeria, the National Park Serv- that survive in the Mbe Mountains are liminary and further surveys are required. ice is chronically underfunded and vulnerable to extinction. WCS is work- Similar to the situation in Cameroon, routinely struggles just to survive. In ing closely with the USAID-sponsored gorillas in Nigeria seem to prefer the 2005 Berggorilla & Regenwald Direk- Sustainable Practices in Agriculture for steepest most inhospitable terrain thilfe sent CRNP a quantity of much- Critical Environments (SPACE)(SPACE) project and avoid more accessible lowland needed fi eld equipment (comprising 30 to improve the protection of the Mbe areas. A reconnaissance survey of the tents, 102 day-packs and 33 sweaters) Mountains. As part of this collaboration poorly-known Okwa Hills area in April to boost morale and strengthen lev- a number of options for the most effec- 2005 found evidence for at least one els of protection. This new equipment, tive long-term protection of the moun- group of gorillas in the very heart of the and the tents in particular, will allow tain, including a community-based con- Okwangwo Division, the largest nest rangers to increase the extent to which servation initiative, are currently being site located contained 16 nests. This they were formerly able to protect the considered. At the same time the fea- sub-population was previously thought Okwangwo Division of CRNP. sibility of protecting a forest corridor to be centered in the Takamanda As reported in Gorilla Journal 26 linking the Mbe Mountains through to Forest Reserve in Cameroon, with (June 2003), Kolmården Zoo in Swe- Afi River Forest Reserve is also under Okwangwo forming only a peripheral den recently donated funds to Cross investigation. part of the population’s range, but we River National Park for the construc- now believe that this recent survey tion of a ranger post at the village of Cross River National Park shows the sub-population in the Okwa Anape on the edge of the Boshi Exten- The Biodiversity Research Programme Hills to be clearly separate from the sion Forest. The region is remote and signed a new Memorandum of Un- gorillas of Takamanda. Unfortunately, so isolated that all building materials derstanding with Cross River National the Okwa Hills and the Boshi Extension have to be carried in on the heads of Park (CRNP) in 2004 and since then Forest are gradually becoming more local porters; as a result progress has two joint surveys of the Boshi Extension and more isolated from each other as been diffi cult and slow at times, but we Forest of the Okwangwo Division of farming activities within the enclave can report that the ranger post is now CRNP have been completed. Evidence communities of Okwangwo and Okwa almost complete. Rangers were previ- was found for the continued presence threaten to sever the forest link be- ously based some distance from the tween these two gorilla sub-populations. edge of the park, so the new ranger These enclaves were created when post should dramatically improve the Okwangwo was originally gazetted as levels of protection provided for the a forest reserve in 1930. Cross River gorilla and other endan- The Biodiversity Research Pro- gered wildlife species. gramme currently provides support (fi eld rations and fuel for their ageing Future Prospects vehicle) to a team of 10 park rangers With as few as 90–110 Cross River based at Anape on the edge of the gorillas remaining in Nigeria there is Boshi Extension Forest in the Okwang- clearly little room for complacency. wo Division of Cross River National But a new spirit of cooperation now Park. The team collects basic moni- exists in south east Nigeria between toring data in addition to their normal government institutions responsible anti-poaching patrols. Improved train- for the management of key protected ing in gorilla monitoring techniques areas, such as the Cross River State for these rangers is planned, together Forestry Commission and Cross River with assistance for the production of National Park, and conservation NGOs a management plan for this critically such as WCS and FFI. We believe that John Oates hands over equipment important protected area. As part of the this bodes well for the future. for the rangers to Alhaji Marguba, planning process, a study of the vari- Andrew Dunn the Conservator-General of the ous long-term options for the manage- Nigeria National Parks Service ment of the existing enclaves is also The Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe Photo: Andrew Dunn proposed. recently made further donations for the

17 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 GORILLAS

renovation of ranger posts at Afi and species there are the forest elephant the Mbe Mountains. (Loxodonta cyclotis), the forest buffalo (Syncerus nanus [= S. caffer nanus]), moustached guenon (Cercopithecus The Maiombe Forest in cephus), red-tailed white-nosed gue- Cabinda: Conservation non (C. ascanius), Bosman’s potto Efforts, 2000–2004 (Perodicticus potto) and golden potto (Arctocebus aureus ), several species The Maiombe Forest (also spelt of bushbabies (Galago alleni, Euoticus Mayombe or Mayumbe) forms the elegantulus, Galagoides demidoff), southwestern part of the African A view into the Maiombe Forest several small forest duiker species tropical rainforest in the Congo Basin. Photo: Tamar Ron (Cephalophus sylvicultor, C. dorsalis, It constitutes the southwestern margin C. nigrifrons, Philantomba monticola), of distribution of a great variety of a strong commitment by the Govern- water chevrotain (Hyemoschus aquati- West-Central African fl ora and fauna, ment and the active participation of the cus), sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekei including two species of the great resident communities, accompanied gratus), bush pig (Potamochoerus porpor-- apes – chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes by substantial international support. In cus) and forest hog (Hylochoerus mei- troglodytes) and gorillas (Gorilla go- particular, the importance of develop- nertzhageni), several genet species rilla gorilla). Despite its importance ing alternative livelihood sources to the (Genetta spp.), two-spotted palm civet in terms of biodiversity, in the local, non-sustainable consumption of fl ora (Nandinia binotata), leopard (Panthera national, regional and global contexts, and fauna is being addressed. Cooper- pardus), giant pangolin (Manis gigan- it enjoys very little protection. Following ation between the countries that share tea) and tree pangolin (Manis tricus- decades of still unresolved political and the Maiombe Forest (Angola, Congo pis), fl ying squirrels (Anomalurus der- economic instability, and as a result of Republic, Democratic Republic of Con- bianus, Anomalurus beecrofti), and a high human population densities, the go and Gabon) within the framework of variety of squirrels, rodents, and bats. Maiombe Forest suffers from a high rate a transfrontier conservation approach The African manatee (Trichechus sen- of degradation, mainly through heavy may be essential. egalensis) is found in the Congo River. logging and poaching, for subsistence as well as commercial use. Biodiversity Nearly four decades of armed con- The Maiombe Forest, a part of fl ict in Angola have resulted in severe the Guineo-Congolian biome, covers environmental degradation and biodi- around 2,000 km2 in the internal, versity loss. Since the peace agreement mountainous northeastern part of the was signed in April 2002, Cabinda has Cabinda enclave. It is a multi-storied remained the only province in Angola closed, dense forest. Most of the area which is still subject to armed confl ict. has been utilized during the last century While biodiversity conservation may be and is, therefore, comprised of various considered as low priority during times phases of succession of secondary of war, ensuring the long-term survival forest, up to the climax primary forest, and welfare of resident communities as in small remnant patches. well as national and regional economic There is a wide faunal biodiversity sustainability and stability requires the and the forest is home for species of protection of natural resources and bio- outstanding universal interest, such diversity. as chimpanzee and lowland gorilla. Biodiversity conservation efforts in The Maiombe Forest in Cabinda is the the Maiombe Forest were initiated in southwestern margin of the distribution October 2000 with a public awareness of both species in Central Africa. The author in the Maiombe Forest campaign and a consultation process Most of the existing information is in Cabinda with Andre Bumi, a Soba with the resident communities in the historical, and summarized in particu- (traditional head of village) and forest. The key to the protection of lar in Brian Huntley’s reports from the hunter, who works with the project the forest and its biodiversity lies in early 1970s. Among other mammal team since 2000

18 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 GORILLAS

The gray parrots (Psittacus eritha- is restricted are, in fact, much more as well as several other species, are cus) are of special interest, and there likely to serve as “safe haven” for this hunted for the commercial pet trade. is a variety of at least 95 bird species, and other species. There is currently Apes are hunted by the local popu- including eagles, owls, hornbills, sun- no information or even estimations of lation, invaders from both the Congo birds, bulbuls, weavers, small parrots, gorilla population sizes. A more thor- Republic and the Democratic Repub- the great crested laurie (Corynthus ough survey will be done when security lic of Congo, and the armed forces. It cristata), and others, some of which conditions allow it. is illegal, but law enforcement is very are listed in the IUCN red data book as weak. There is a proposal (pending threatened, but many are insuffi ciently Human Population on substantial funding) to establish a known. Most of the residents in the forest area wildlife sanctuary for the rehabilitation Information on the status of species rely mainly on subsistence cultivation of captured chimpanzees, gorillas and in the Maiombe Forest, especially re- of peanuts, bananas and cassava, other orphaned wildlife, to facilitate the cent information, is very scarce, and small-scale husbandry, hunting and enforcement, education and aware- there is an obvious need to study the participation in logging operations. ness. biological diversity in the forest. Dur- Following decades of armed confl ict, The following reasons for poach- ing 2000–2004, in several fi eld visits, the resident communities suffer from ing were indicated by resident com- the following species were observed severe poverty, lack of employment munities and by the armed forces in by the project team: elephants, gorillas, opportunities, lack of commercial the forest: poverty, lack of alternative chimpanzees, red-tailed white-nosed networks, lack of substantial infra- livelihoods, youth with no access to guenons, moustached guenons, blue structure and access to basic services education and employment, loss of duiker, water chevrotain, cane rat, gray and commodities. The immediate, as respect for old traditions, absence of parrots, crocodile. Spoor of chimpan- well as long-term, needs of the local commercial network (diffi culties in sell- zees, gorillas, guenons, elephants and communities residing in the forest must ing agricultural produce), the easy in- forest buffalo is wide-spread. Spoor be addressed as a high priority, within come from bushmeat and wildlife trade, of other species recorded includes the objectives and framework of the soliciting by national and international leopard (rare), genets, civets, duikers, conservation initiative. networks of illegal traders, lack of ef- water chevrotain, bushpig, porcupine, fective law enforcement and control cane rat and squirrels. Threats mechanisms, human–wildlife confl ict In October 2000, we saw a family The Maiombe Forest’s resources are (mainly with elephants, forest buffalo, group of 6 gorillas in the Maiombe For- heavily utilized, and it suffers from apes, cane rats, porcupine, bush pig est in Cabinda – it was the fi rst pub- severe degradation caused by decades and duikers), hungry soldiers (lack of lished record in close to two decades, of legal and illegal exploitation – logging meat), fear of wild animals (in particular indicating that they (and other endan- for agriculture, development and timber, apes, elephants, buffalo, snakes), and gered species) have survived there, and poaching for subsistence as well patrolling mistakes. although, of course, this was common as commercial trade. The main species Recent increase in legal and illegal knowledge to the resident communi- hunted for bushmeat are duikers, water logging activities in various parts of the ties. In all our one-day excursions dur- chevrotain, porcupines, bushpig and forest, including inside the forest re- ing 2000–2004 – fi rst only in one limited forest hog, buffalos, civets, genets, serve, is apparently the result mainly of area in the center-north of Cabinda, but pangolins, guenons, cane rats, game the improved security conditions, while in 2003–2004 also in several other ar- birds, snakes, and freshwater fi sh. enforcement/control mechanisms were eas from the southwest of the Maiombe Many of these species, as well as the not strengthened yet. This situation, in Forest to the northeast – we recorded two great apes, are also smuggled turn, causes increased human–wildlife gorilla spoor, so we can assume that as bushmeat across the borders, confl ict, as well as increased poach- the species is well distributed all over although the consumption of apes is ing. the Maiombe Forest in Cabinda, as not traditional in Cabinda. Elephants confi rmed by the resident communi- may be hunted sporadically for ivory, Conservation Activities ties. There is no value in giving the as well as because of crop raiding, The only designated protected area specifi c locations of these sightings, but there are no reports on massive in Cabinda is the Cacongo Forest since it will refl ect mostly the areas of hunting of elephants. Reserve, declared in 1930. A second allowed access rather than gorilla dis- Infant chimpanzees and gorillas, forest reserve (Alto Maiombe), declared tribution, while the areas where access guenons, and especially gray parrots, at the same time, was cancelled in

19 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 GORILLAS

1963. A proposal to establish a strict Objectives are the conservation The livestock was provided to families nature reserve over at least 45,000 ha and study of the Maiombe Forest in who have constructed a fenced area, (Huntley, B. J., 1973a: Proposals for the Cabinda and its fl ora and fauna, with guided by a technical team consist- Creation of a Strict Nature Reserves focus on apes (as part of the interna- ing of a zoo-technician and a veteri- in the Maiombe Forest of Cabinda. tional efforts to protect these species), narian, who are following the project. Serviços de Veterinaria, Luanda, the active participation of the resident The livestock delivered is of the same Angola) has not been implemented to communities in the conservation of the breeds that have been kept for dec- date. forest and increased awareness on ades by communities in the forest. The Efforts towards biodiversity conser- the local, national and regional levels, benefi ciary communities commit them- vation in the Maiombe Forest in Cab- sustainable improvement of the socio- selves to reduce hunting, in particular inda were initiated, on a shoe-string economic conditions of local communi- of endangered species. The traditional budget, in October 2000, led by the ties through participation in the project, authorities of these communities are Provincial Department of Agriculture, and regional cooperation for the joint subcontracted to follow-up and report. Fisheries and Environment, together protection of the Maiombe Forest, be- The plan includes the future distribution with the provincial environmental NGO, tween the four countries that share it. of a portion of the livestock offspring to Gremio ABC, in coordination with the Awareness campaigns and a proc- other communities, as well as participa- Ministry of Fisheries and Environment, ess of consultation with the resident tion of the benefi ciary communities in with an international biodiversity con- communities were initiated in October the IDF (Instituto de Desenvolvimento sultant and further support provided 2000, as well as awareness activities Florestal) programme of cultivation of by UNDP and NORAD. Oil companies addressed to decision-makers and of- tree species for the future rehabilitation (the CABGOC Association) and private fi cials at the national level and Provin- of the forest after logging. To assure donors supported specifi c project ac- cial Government, local administration sustainability, the Provincial Depart- tivities. The project is being developed teams, church leaders and traditional ment will also initiate its own breeding through on-going consultation and col- leadership. The consultation process program of livestock for future delivery laboration with resident communities, with communities and traditional lead- to communities. in particular the traditional leadership, ers serves to guide the planning of fur- The great potential of the Maiombe and with other stakeholders. All these ther activities. During November 2003 Forest for tourism is recognized as a activities are supported by the Provin- and September 2004, an extensive major alternative livelihood in the fu- cial Government of Cabinda, several awareness campaign for the armed ture, which could signifi cantly improve Municipal and Communal Administra- forces and communities was imple- the socio-economic status of the forest tions, the armed forces, church lead- mented throughout the forest. residents. The realization of this po- ers, and the traditional authorities of Reduction in poaching and non-sus- tential may become feasible only after the resident communities. tainable utilization of biodiversity must the termination of the war and the es- be linked with support to the communi- tablishment of suitable conditions and ties in developing sustainable alterna- infrastructure. Other alternatives must Tchibanga Mossendjo tive livelihoods. This aspect has been be developed until then, so as to allow GABON identifi ed as one of the basic compo- the protection of wildlife. CONGO REPUBLIC nents of the initiative for the protection The realization of a detailed study

Maiombe Forest of biodiversity in Cabinda. In discus- will depend on improved security con- Transfrontier sions with resident communities, the ditions, as well as on availability of ad- Conservation Area Loubomo local authorities, the Provincial Gov- equate fi nancial resources. A long-term

Loango ernment, Gremio ABC, and the Provin- comprehensive study of the forest and Pointe-Noire cial biodiversity project team, several its biodiversity should include the fol- CABINDA optional alternatives have been identi- lowing: systematic digitized recording Landana DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF fi ed. and mapping of all existing historical Cabinda CONGO The “alternative livelihoods to hunt- and current information; a preliminary Matadi Boma ing” pilot sub-project was launched on aerial and ground survey of the for- ANGOLA 10 June 2004, within the “CABGOC est, combined with interviewing of Protocol” framework, with the fi rst de- resident hunters, to evaluate current The proposed conservation area livery of 26 goats and sheep to families fl ora and fauna composition and sta- Drawn with information by Tamar Ron in Sinde, the Municipality of Buco-Zau. tus, as well as threats; use of satellite

20 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 GORILLAS

images and aerial photos for analysis within the Cabinda enclave, they indi- geography of Africa, and confused or of habitat types and status; census of cated that since the forest in Angola is misspelled places in his publication. specifi c species in the different parts less degraded than in the neighbour- Nowadays such descriptions would of the forest; social study of the resi- ing countries, its natural resources are not be acceptable, but standards were dent communities – population size, often illegally harvested by residents different until the beginning of the 20th distribution, income sources, utilization of these countries. Protection of the century, and even beyond. It is not of the forest and its species, hunting Maiombe Forest therefore requires co- easy, in many cases, to fi nd out where trends, human-wildlife confl ict, and operation among all the countries that a particular gorilla type specimen was other aspects; collecting information share it. collected. on trade in Maiombe Forest species This concept was then presented to A type specimen is an individual that within the province, across the bor- the Government, the Provincial Gov- serves as model for the description of ders, and in the rest of the country, as ernment and other stakeholders in a new species or subspecies – usually well as available information on export; Angola and accepted enthusiastically. the skull or skin is the main basis for and development of long-term monitor- It was also discussed with resident description in mammals. Gorilla tax- ing programs. Finally, such a program communities and Government offi cials onomy is today based mainly on skull should encourage long-term national in a UNDP mission to Congo-Brazza- measurements; in the past few years, and international research projects on ville in April 2002, with a positive re- DNA sequences had begun being used the forest and its fl ora and fauna. A de- sponse. The traditional leadership and too, although this method is not as easy tailed management and conservation resident communities in both countries and reliable as experts had hoped and programme should then be developed, expressed their keen interest to take is still being improved. based on study results. active part in developing this initiative, At the turn of the 19th to the 20th Plans for the establishment and with a focus on exploring the options to century, taxonomy was still interpreted training of a provincial community- develop in the long-term a well man- very individually. Paul Matschie, of Ber- based law-enforcement unit are being aged community-based joint eco-tour- lin, was convinced that each river valley developed by the IDF as highest prior- ism program. had its own gorilla species – he is the ity for urgent funding by the Provincial Security conditions have recently im- person who described more species/ Government. In order to increase the proved and the Provincial Government subspecies than anybody else (Groves enforcement capacity, alliances are of Cabinda is interested in developing a 2001). Many type specimens are still being established between the pro- full project for the study and conserva- in the Museum für Naturkunde, where vincial IDF and the armed forces as tion of the Maiombe Forest, with focus he worked. Cameroon was a German well as with traditional authorities, legal on apes, in cooperation with the neigh- colony at that time and many Germans loggers, the customs authorities, and bouring countries. If security conditions who collected gorillas there gave them NGOs. allow, and pending on availability of fi - to Matschie for study; understandably, To assure the sustainable study, nancial support, we hope to be able therefore, most gorilla type specimens conservation, and management of the to collect more data, and develop a are from Cameroon. Maiombe Forest, there is an urgent comprehensive conservation program. This article was inspired by Hen- need to increase the human resources We will need all possible help. drik Turni’s studies of the gorilla type capacity in the province to undertake Tamar Ron specimens in the Berlin Natural History all the relevant tasks. A comprehen- Museum. The descriptions of the speci- sive training programme should be de- mens he studied as well as all other veloped and supported. Where Are the Gorillas? gorilla type specimens are discussed The Maiombe Forest Transfrontier It was not long after the discovery of with a focus on the places where they Conservation Initiative. The concept the gorilla, and its description (under were found, and the present situation of developing the conservation of the the name Troglodytes gorilla), that at each place is explained, in as far Maiombe Forest within the framework zoologists began to think that there as it is known. The headings give the of a transfrontier conservation initiative might be more than one single species. names of the currently accepted taxa. (TFCA) was fi rst raised by the tradition- In those early days, many species were al leadership of the resident communi- described with very poor material. Gorilla gorilla gorilla – Western ties of Buco-Zau and Inhuca in Novem- Sometimes no place of origin was Lowland Gorilla ber 2000. Discussing the constraints given at all or the person who published Troglodytes gorilla Savage, 1847. related to the conservation of the forest the description had no idea of the Thomas Savage described the fi rst

21 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 GORILLAS

gorilla on the basis of a specimen tautonymy was not usual in those days, (skull and skeleton) that is now in the Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire felt himself justi- Dimonika-Mayombe Kakamoëka Reserve M Museum of Comparative Zoology in fi ed in giving a new specifi c name. At ay om Harvard. fi rst he used Owen’s name savagei, ouillou K be M It was collected in “Mpongwe, Ga- but later he substituted his own name, CONGO ass REPUBLIC if boon estuary” or “Empongwe, near the referring obscurely to motives “que l’on Loango river Gaboon”. Mpongwe is not a town, comprendra facilement”. “Gina” was, Pointe-Noire but the name of a people living close to he noted, the name of the gorilla in Conde Bamba the southern bank of the Gabon river Gabon – spelt Gina, Engina, N’gina, Conde (about 0° 4’ N, 9° 39’ E). En-Gina, D’jina, Engé-ena, Ngena or Conde CABINDA When Tutin & Fernandez (1984) Ingé-ena. Landana censused the gorillas of Gabon more Gorilla castaneiceps Slack, 1862. than 20 years ago, they did not fi nd any In this case, the species description DEMOCRATIC gorilla signs in the regions north and comprises only the following sentence: REPUBLIC OF CONGO south of the Gabon river. The southern “Dr. Slack called the attention of the bank of the river is now the Pongara members to a coloured cast of the head Cabinda National Park, famous for its man- of a gorilla, which he characterized as Boma groves and beaches, but with no goril- a new species under the name of Go- o las. In the Wonga-Wongué Presidential rilla castaneiceps.” He did not mention Cong Reserve further south, Tutin & Fernan- where this gorilla had been found. dez (1984) found no gorillas either, but No skull exists, only the cast men- Blom et al. (1992) later confi rmed the tioned in the description; it is at the Locations mentioned in the presence of gorillas there. Academy of Natural Sciences in Phila- description of Gorilla mayema Synonyms of this species are Troglo- delphia. Slack classifi ed this specimen dytes savagei Owen, 1848 and Satyrus as a new species because of its reddish chimpanzee, not a gorilla (“the Gorilla adrotes Mayer,Mayer, 1856. The authors of hair on the head. During the following manyema of Alix and Bouvier I believe these names were not describing new decades, however, it became clear that to be a very large ape of the group of species, but merely renaming Troglo- the colour is not a good criterion for Simia vellerosus Gray,Gray, and not a Go- dytes gorilla. In the mid-19th century, taxonomy (Rothschild 1905). When C. rilla at all”). before the institution of formal rules of P. Groves saw the cast in 1965, it had Elliot (1912) created a new genus nomenclature, it was all too common been painted entirely black! and called the species Pseudogorilla for authors to substitute names which Gorilla mayêma Alix and Bouvier, mayema, because some additional they preferred for names which others 1877. This specimen included the skel- specimens in Frankfurt seemed much had previously bestowed. eton and skin of a young female that smaller than the other gorillas that were Gorilla Gina Geoffroy Saint-Hi- was originally at the Muséum d’Histoire known at that time (see below). We will laire, 1853, is probably also just an ob- Naturelle in Paris, but it had disap- return to a discussion of these particu- jective synonym of Troglodytes gorilla. peared already in 1920; in 1964, C. lar specimens below. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire stated that this P. Groves found a very small female According to the description, the species is found at the “West coast of gorilla skull, no. 9772 in the old col- type specimen was collected in “Congo, Africa – Gabon”, a very vague locality, lection of the Laboratoire d’Anatomie Landana, sur les rives du Quilo, 4°35’ but as he explained that the gorillas he Comparée, which according to a cata- S, près du village du roi Mayêma”. This analyzed came exactly from the same logue entry by Rode may be the type locality is confusing, as Landana is region as the type specimen of Sav- skull. The reputed type skull, if that is (and also was at that time) not in Con- age, and he never explicitly stated that indeed what it is, is the smallest fully go and not near the Kouillou (Quilo) he regarded them as a new species, mature gorilla skull ever studied by C. River, but in Cabinda. Later, Famelart the name should probably be regarded P. Groves, only 206 mm in total length. (1883) stated that the specimen was as another replacement name. He was The next smallest skull, in the Naturhis- bought at Conde near Landana, and convinced that the gorilla should not torisches Museum in Vienna (from the Matschie (1904) wrote that it was from be included in the same genus as the Ogooué River), measures 215 mm. the Mayombe area. chimpanzee (Troglodytes at that time), The description of the skull led Roth- Several places called Conde exist and described a new genus Gorilla. As schild (1905) to identify this form as a now in Cabinda (Microsoft Expedia

22 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 GORILLAS

Bimba CAMEROON Doumé Sanaga CENTRAL Abong Mbang 5 Yaounde Mesima Mokbe AFRICAN REPUBLIC Nyong 2 Ntonga Research Site Douala-Edéa Sangha 3 Dja Wildlife Reserve Lobo Assobam Bipindi Dja Wildlife Sangmelima 6 Lokundje Reserve Boumba-Bek Dja National Park Campo Ma'an Mengamé Sugemafam Río Campo Reserve Sanctuary Nki 4 Lobeke Faunal Reserve National Park National Park Mbonda 7 EQUATORIAL Skull of the Gorilla jacobi type GUINEA Minkebe National Park CONGO specimen in Berlin Monte Alén REPUBLIC Photo: Hendrik Turni National Park specimen that had been used by Hae- 1 Troglodytes gorilla ckel as type of his Gorilla gigas. Roth- Libreville GABON 2 Gorilla gigas 3 Gorilla jacobi schild created a new subspecies in- Pongara Ogooué 4 Gorilla gorilla cluding all the gorillas from southern 1 National Park schwarzi 5 Gorilla hansmeyeri Cameroon (at that time only Gorilla Wonga-Wongué Lopé National Park 6 Gorilla zenkeri gigas had been described) to discern Presidential Reserve 7 Gorilla gorilla halli 8 Gorilla (Pseudo- them from the Gabonese gorillas – who gorilla) ellioti represent the typical Gorilla gorilla. The Franceville Protected area Gorilla jacobi Matschie, 1905. Fernan type specimen is in the Berlin Natu- Vaz Moukalaba-Doudou River 8 National Park ral History Museum (Matschie’s no. National border Loango National Park 28051; now no. 83558). The skull is the largest gorilla skull in any museum Gorilla type localities in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. The seen by C. P. Groves, with total length areas where the specimens were collected are indicated with circles. of 340 mm (the next largest scale is that of a mountain gorilla in the Ter- map), and it is not clear at which one there is no evidence that this settle- vuren Museum measuring 338 mm). the type specimen was found. But prob- ment was Yaounde itself, which may This skull had been collected by ably the gorilla came from the Mayo- have been only the place from which lieutenant Jacob “auf der Station Lobo- mbe Forest (which is not too far from it was shipped to Europe. Nowadays, Mündung, die nicht weit von den Zu- any of the places called Conde). A few there is no forest left around the town fl üssen des Njong gelegen ist, aber years ago, during the fi rst survey for of Yaounde (Eerens et al.). schon im Flußgebiet des Dscha” – at many years, Tamar Ron saw gorillas in Gorilla gorilla matschiei Roth- the Lobo Mouth station, watershed of Cabinda’s Maiombe Forest (see page schild, 1905 is an objective synonym the rivers Dja and Nyong, but closer to 18). This confi rmed that gorillas are still of Gorilla gigas. Haeckel (1903) stated the Dja region. The Lobo Mouth station living there, although their number and that Paschen’s gorilla had been pur- was not found on old maps. distribution remain uncertain and their chased for the Tring Museum (owned No gorilla survey has been made re- situation is critical. by Lord Rothschild) for 20,000 Marks. cently in the area where this specimen Gorilla gigas Haeckel, 1903. The When Rothschild (1905) described Go- was collected, but the Dja Reserve, type specimen is now in the British rilla gorilla matschiei, he did not spec- which is very close by, is an important Museum (Natural History). Accord- ify a type; but a skeleton in the Tring protected area for gorilla conservation ing to Haeckel, the gorilla was shot Museum (formerly numbered A.D.15, (Williamson & Usongo 1996). by H. Paschen at “Yaunde, im Hinter- now no. 1939.3406 of the Natural His- Gorilla gorilla schwarzi Fritze, lande von Kamerun” – Yaounde, in tory Museum, London, with associated 1912. The type specimen, a large male, the hinterland of Cameroon. Although mounted skin no. 1939.3405), labelled originally in the Karlsruhe Natural His- Haeckel published a photograph of as type, is the Paschen specimen from tory Museum, Germany, was destroyed the dead gorilla in an African village, Yaounde – in other words the same during the second world war.

23 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 GORILLAS

In the description, the type locality collected. The nearest area outside of than anywhere else in Equatorial is “Sogemafarm am Djahfl uss, Süd- the Dja Reserve where the presence of Guinea. According to his study, gorillas kamerun” (Sogemafarm at the Dja gorillas was confi rmed recently is the were hunted for food everywhere in Río River, southern Cameroon). The place Ntonga Research Site, south of Abong Muni, and their number and distribution called “Sogemafarm” is correctly spelt Mbang. At this site, Dupain et al. (2004) area was reduced considerably during “Sugemafam” (approx. 2° 25’ N, 12° 50’ found high densities of both gorillas the second half of the 20th century E; Andrees Handatlas 1912). and chimpanzees; these densities are (and probably this is still continuing). During a survey in 2002, a high amongst the highest reported so far in The Río Campo Faunal Reserve in- gorilla density was found in the Men- Cameroon. Recently, this gorilla popu- cludes a part of the gorilla distribution gamé Reserve. The density was es- lation was reduced by an Anthrax out- area confi rmed by Gonzalez-Kirchner, pecially high in the swampy regions in break (page 28). however, and it is hoped that gorillas the southeastern part of the reserve, Gorilla zenkeri Matschie, 1914. still live there. Matthews & Matthews which is close to the type locality (Ellis The type specimen, a young male, is (2004) found that the gorilla density 2003). Gorillas are threatened in this in the Berlin Natural History Museum across the border in the Campo For- area by hunting and forest destruction. (no. 30260/30261). The type skull, no. est, Cameroon (which includes a log- The distance to villages and therefore 30261 in the museum, is only 299 mm ging concession and the southern part to human activity appears to determine long, a small specimen even though it of the Campo Ma’an National Park) is the distribution of the gorillas: They are is not completely mature. very low. absent from areas where there is regu- It was collected at “Mbiawe am Gorilla uellensis Schouteden, lar human activity and noise. Lokundje, 6 Stunden fl ußabwärts von 1927. This species was described from Across the border in Gabon’s Minke- Bipindi am weißen Berge” (Mbiawe three or four specimens in the Tervuren be area, Walsh et al. (2003) reported a on the Lokundje River, 6 hours down- Museum, Belgium. They are labelled catastrophic decline in gorilla density stream from Bipindi at the white moun- “Près de Djabbir (= Bondo)” and “Mo- around the year 2000. The reason was tain), at about 3° 11’ N, 10° 21’ E. bele, Itimbiri”. The latter locality is also bushmeat hunting and, even more im- The type locality is situated between cited by Schouteden (1930) as “Mobili, portant in this case, Ebola. According to the Campo-Ma’an Reserve and the Itimbiri (Mbili)”. Neither “Mobele” nor Huijbregts et al. (2003) the number of Douala-Edéa Wildlife Reserve of today. “Mobili” or “Mbili” could be found in old gorillas decreased by 90% prior to and Gorillas are present in Campo-Ma’an maps. It is possible that it means in fact after the 1994 and 1996 Ebola epidem- but are absent from Douala-Edéa. the town of Bili – although this is far ics in the Minkebe Forest. It is unknown Gorilla gorilla halli Rothschild, from the river Itimbiri. whether Ebola also affected the gorillas 1927. The type specimen is a mounted There are in fact four specimens in across the border in Cameroon. skin, no. 1939.3415 (formerly G 15), in the Tervuren museum which are la- Gorilla hansmeyeri Matschie, the British Museum (Natural History); beled as syntypes of G. uellensis. No. 1914. The type specimen, an adult the skeleton which according to Jenkins 100 is the blackened cranium of an male, was mounted in the Berlin Natu- (1990) almost certainly represents the adult male, evidently kept for some ral History Museum, and the skeleton same individual is no. 1986.757; when time in a smoky African hut; no. 101 is no. 17960 (now missing). The skull, C. P. Groves was studying gorillas in Bili 333 mm long, is not as large as that of the 1960s it had not yet been identi- Bili Bondo G. jacobi, but is nonetheless one of the fi ed, so we have no measurements for Locality shown in largest gorilla skulls in any museum. it, nor did Rothschild give any length Schouteden (1944) The type locality is “Straße von As- measurements. Uele sobam zwischen Mensima und Bimba It was collected in “Punta Mbouda, südlich des Dumefl usses westlich von Spanish Guinea”, which is in fact Punta Itimbiri Buta Mokbe” in Cameroon (Assobam Road, Mbonda in the north of Río Muni, Equa- Aketi between Mensima and Bimba, south torial Guinea (2° 6’ N, 9° 46’ E). of the Dume River, west of Mokbe). The most recent gorilla census in Bumba Mensima is correctly spelt the Mesima Equatorial Guinea was conducted in region. The type locality is about 4° 4’ 1990 by Gonzalez-Kirchner (1997). Congo N, 14° E (Andrees Handatlas 1912). He found gorillas along the river Ntem No gorilla survey has been made so (Campo), not far from Punta Mbonda; Locations mentioned in the type far in the area where this gorilla was the gorilla density there was higher description of Gorilla uellensis

24 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 GORILLAS

Anape

Obudu Cattle Akwaya Ranch Okwangwo Okwa II CAMEROON Okwa I Mbe Mountains

Takamanda Mbulu Forest Afi Reserve Cross River Forest Reserve National Park (Okwangwo Division) Obonyi Basho O Makone Skull of the Gorilla diehli type kon Kagwene Mountain specimen in Berlin Takamanda Takpe Photo: Hendrik Turni NIGERIA M that his Pseudogorilla mayéma was in Munaya one Oyl actuality the same species as Alix and Bouvier’s; anyone thinking they were Mone M different would, he noted, be at liberty to anyu (C Forest Reserve rename his (Elliot’s) species. Frechkop ross) (1943), normally the most cautious of River zoologists, did exactly what Elliot had Mamfe anticipated (Groves 1985). The type locality given is “Gabon: Present distribution of Cross River gorillas (dark) and type locality (circle) delta de Rembo Nkomi, au sud de Map drawn with information from Richard Bergl (p. 14) and Dan Slayback Fernan Vaz” (south of Fernan Vaz or Omboué, which lies 1° 34’ S, 9° 15’ E). is a subadult male cranium, similarly cality given by the collector (1936). It In the Petit Loango Reserve (Loango treated. These two are both labelled remains a mystery whether gorillas still National Park), south of the type lo- “Djabbir (Bondo)”. No. 102 is an adult lived there in the 20th century. During cality, Furuichi et al. (1997) conducted female cranium, this time with a mandi- a recent survey by George B. Schaller a gorilla survey in 1995. They found ble, not smoke blackened. No. 103 is a and others in the Bili district, no traces gorillas there, although in low density; mandible of an adult male, not smoke of gorillas were found. Makassi, a citi- they attribute this to the low density of blackened; curiously it fi ts exactly with zen of Bili, surveyed forested areas in herbaceous food. number 100. 102 and 103 are both la- the Bondo district in 2002, but likewise belled “Mbili, Itimbiri”. The possibility found no trace of gorillas; he told Colin Gorilla gorilla diehli, Cross River remains, therefore, that three speci- P. Groves in 2003 that his survey was Gorilla mens were involved rather than four; incomplete and that he intended to re- Gorilla diehli Matschie, 1904. The another possibility is that there were in- turn at a later date. type specimen, an adult male, is in the deed four, and that they were from two Gorilla (Pseudogorilla) ellioti Berlin Natural History Museum (no. localities, the two from Bondo being Frechkop, 1943 (Pseudogorilla ma- 12789). The skull is only 300 mm long, trophy skulls, kept in the hunters’ huts yema Elliot). The type specimens are but this is in fact fairly large for this for some time, and the other two were in the Senckenberg Museum, Frank- subspecies, which is the smallest taxon shot at the localities stated. The skulls furt. of gorilla. are ordinary western gorillas, with noth- Under the impression that the skulls It was collected at “Dakbe, Kamerun”, ing particularly to distinguish them; the in Frankfurt were intermediate between which is nowadays pronounced “Takpe” adult male skull is 311 mm long, the gorillas and chimpanzees, Elliot hy- (or Nfakwe) and lies at the southern adult female 217 mm. pothesised that they represented Alix & edge of the Takamanda Forest Re- While Coolidge (1929) fi rst doubt- Bouvier’s Gorilla mayéma, and erected serve (6° 2’ N, 9° 25’ E). ed that the gorilla was really from that a new genus, Pseudogorilla, but he ad- In the Cross River area at the border area, he later accepted the type lo- mitted that there was no real guarantee between Nigeria and Cameroon goril-

25 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 GORILLAS

UGANDA

Mgahinga Gorilla Sabinyo National Park 3637 m D. R. CONGO Muside 3000 m Gahinga Muhavura 3474 m 4127 m

Parc National des Virunga

Mikeno Visoke 4437 m 3711 m RWANDA Gorilla distrubution

Karisoke Bamboo Forest Mikeno Skull of the Gorilla beringei type in Schaller (1963) specimen in Berlin Karisimbi 4507 m Satellite images 1994/95 Photo: Hendrik Turni

Parc National National border des Volcans small for a mountain gorilla, only 309 National Park border mm in total length. A photo of Mikeno that Lönnberg in- cluded in his publication shows a view Present gorilla distribution in the Virungas with type localities of Gorilla from the west. Bamboo grew on the beringei (cirlce above right) and G. b. mikenensis (circle left) western slopes during Schaller’s study in the 1950s (Schaller 1963) and is still las still live in several small populations. collected by Captain Elias Arrhenius growing in certain areas, therefore it Sunderland-Groves & Oates (2003) in the bamboo forest of Mt. Mikeno. is likely that Arrhenius climbed Mikeno made surveys in the Takamanda For- Though fully mature, the skull is rather from the west. est Reserve recently and found one The remaining bamboo forest on the gorilla population very close to Takpe. Lake Kivu western slope of Mt. Mikeno does not Parc National lie within the distribution area of the de Kahuzi-Biega Gorilla beringei beringei, Mountain RWANDA Congolese mountain gorillas. If the en- Bukavu Gorilla croachment stops and the habitat re- The Gorilla beringei Matschie, 1903. Mwenga mains suitable for gorillas, they may Mt. Mohi type specimen (a young adult male) is Kamituga BURUNDI spread back into the area. in the Berlin Natural History Museum (3,464 m) Uvira Bujumbura (no. 13254). It was killed by Capt. Itombwe Massif Robert von Beringe on the “Kirunga ya Conservation Landscape Sabinyo, 3000 m hoch” (at an altitude ? of 3,000 m; about 1° 26’ S, 29° 37’ E). Itombwe Von Beringe climbed Sabinyo from the Massif Baraka M utam today side that is now in Uganda. bala D. R. CONGO Fizi The most recent gorilla census was Baraka at conducted in 2003 and confi rmed the Grauer's time TANZANIA continuing increase of the population. To be Lake protected Tanganyika Kigoma Several groups range on Mt. Sabinyo; Gorillas Ujiji one of them is the Habinyanja group Border Boko (page 15). Gorilla beringei mikenensis Lönn- Approximate type locality (circle) berg, 1917. The type specimen (an of Gorilla graueri according to the adult male) is no. 5/37 in the Svenska description Skull of the Gorilla graueri type Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet (Stock- Gorilla distribution area taken from specimen in Berlin holm Natural History Museum). It was WCS maps (see page 6) Photo: Hendrik Turni

26 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 GORILLAS

Gorilla beringei graueri Grauer’sGrauer’s Gorilla gorilla rex-pygmaeorum only one gorilla species – with 4 sub- Gorilla or Eastern Lowland Gorilla Schwarz, 1927. The type specimen species – (Tuttle 2003), most people Gorilla graueri Matschie, 1914. The is a young adult male skull and skin working with gorillas now distinguish type specimen, an adult male, is in the in the Tervuren Museum, Belgium (no. two species, each with two subspe- Berlin Natural History Museum (no. 8187). cies. 31618/31619). The skull is rather small It was collected in “Luofu, à l’ouest Although large parts of the origi- in size, only 306 mm long. du Lac Albert” (Luofu, west of Lake Al- nal gorilla distribution area have been It was collected “80 km nordwestlich bert; 0° 37’ S, 29° 7’ E). The skull is 305 deforested already, gorillas still live in von Boko am Westufer des Tangan- mm long, about average for its age. or near all the places where the type jika” (80 km northwest of Boko on the According to Eerens et al. (n. d.), specimens were collected. They even western shore of Lake Tanganyika), there is no primary forest left in the have been confi rmed recently in areas between 2,000 and 3,000 m. On the immediate vicinity of Luofu. Schaller where they never were found before, skull, the inscription says also “Nähe (1963) indicated in his map that the especially in western Cameroon – even des Nutamba-Flusses” (near the river montane forest started north of Luofu, though most type specimens are from Nutamba). Possibly it was the river Mu- but that gorilla distribution started even various parts of Cameroon. Surveys tambala. further north. Since then, the deforest- also showed, however, that they are On an old map dated 1912 (Andrees ation has continued, and gorillas live threatened by various factors almost Handatlas) there is only one “Boko” on in only a few areas where forest has everywhere and only will be able to sur- the western shore of Lake Tanganyika remained. vive if they are protected effi ciently. (at 5° 5’ S, 29° 4’ E). 80 km northwest If a new gorilla subspecies would be of that place leads one to the extreme A Little History of Gorilla Taxonomy described today, the procedure of de- south of the Itombwe Massif. It is un- Thomas Savage called the gorilla scription would be essentially the same known whether gorillas live there now- Troglodytes gorilla. The genus Troglo- as in the 19th century. But the form adays, a new census confi rmed them dytes had fi rst been described, by would certainly be different. only further north (page 6). Doumenge Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, for the Angela Meder and Colin P. Groves (1998) found no primary forest remain- chimpanzee; when, over half a century Many thanks to everybody who helped ing in the area that Matschie gave as later, it was realised that this generic to collect all the information necessary the type locality. According to Eerens name had been assigned to quite a for this overview: Tom Butynski, Fritz et al. (n. d.), there is a little rain for- different animal – the wren! – 6 years Dieterlen, John Hart, Pierre Kakule, est patch left in the area, but no signs earlier, it had to be changed (the names Innocent Liengola, Leonard Mubalama, of gorilla presence are known. Even Anthropopithecus and Simia were in John Oates, Sabine Petri, Tamar Ron, Schaller (1963) did not fi nd gorillas common use until Elliot [1912] instituted Hendrik TurniTurni there. In other areas of the Itombwe the use of Pan Oken, 1816). Isidore Forest, gorillas are still present in sev- Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire transferred the References Alix, E. & Bouvier, A. (1877) Sur un nouvel eral populations according to a new gorilla to a new genus, Gorilla, in 1852. anthropoide (Gorilla mayema) provenant de la census. According to Elliot (1912), Rothschild region du Congo. Bull. Soc. Zool. Fr. 488–490 in his publication of 1905 was the fi rst Blom, A. et al. (1992) Primates in Gabon: Cur- rent status and distribution. Oryx 26, 223–234 Parc Réserve Lubero one to use the name Gorilla gorilla, but National des Gorilles Mt. Kyavirimu Coolidge, H. J. (1929) A revision of the genus de Maiko de Tayna (Tshiaberimu) we have found an earlier use of this Gorilla. Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard 50, Tayna Alimbongo combination – Forbes (1895). 295–381 Mbuhi Bingi Lake The fi rst one who clearly distin- Coolidge, H. J. (1936) Notes on four gorillas Lutunguru Edward guished two forms of gorillas – the from the Sanga river region. Zoological results of the George Vanderbilt expedition of 1934: Luofu Parc National western and the eastern gorilla – was Part IV. Proc. Acad. nat. Sci. Philadelphia 88, des Virunga Coolidge (1929): “By way of summary, 479–501 Protected area Rwindi the following important measurements Doumenge, C. (1998) Forest diversity, distri- Gorilla distrib. bution, and dynamique in the Itombwe Moun- Nat. border indicate a division into two groups ... tains, South-Kivu, Congo Dem. Rep. Mountain Gorilla gorilla gorilla from the coast Research and Development 18, 249–264 Gorilla distribution and conserva- and Gorilla gorilla beringei found in the Dupain, J. et al. (2004) High chimpanzee and mountains of the eastern Congo”. Even gorilla densities in a non-protected area on the tion areas near the type locality of northern periphery of the Dja Faunal Reserve, Gorilla rex-pygmaeorum today, experts do not totally agree on Cameroon. Oryx 38, 209–216. Drawn with information from P. Kakule gorilla taxonomy: while some recognise Eerens, H. et al. A new vegetation map of

27 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 GORILLAS

Central Africa. Update of the JRC-TREES map Matthews, A. & Matthews, A. (2004) Survey of 1992 with SPOT-VEGETATION imagery of of gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and chimpan- Sudden Great Ape Die-Off 1998 zees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) in south- in the Periphery of the Dja Elliott, D. G. (1913) A review of the primates. western Cameroon. Primates 45, 15–24 Monogr. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. 3, 206–223. Mayer (1856) Zur Anatomie des Orang-Utang Biosphere Reserve Ellis, C. (2003) The Jane Goodall Institute and und des Chimpanse. Archiv für Naturgeschich- Great ape die-offs have been MINEF in the Mengamé Reserve. Gorilla Jour- te 22, 281–304 nal 27, 13–15 Owen, R. (1848) On a new species of chim- occurring throughout Central Africa, Famelart, L. (1883) Observations sur un jeune panzee. Proceedings of the Zoological Society with the Ebola fi lovirus as one of the gorille. Bull. Soc. Zool. France 8, 149–152 of London, part XVI, 27–35 main causes. We here report the fi rst Forbes, H. O. (1895) A Handbook of the pri- Rothschild, W. (1905) Notes on anthropoid documented case of such an outbreak mates. London (Edward Arnold) apes. Proceedings of the Zoological Society Frechkop, S. (1943) Mammifères. Explor. Parc of London 1904, 413–440. for Cameroon, where sympatric gorilla natn. Albert Miss. S. Frechkop, No. 1, 13 Rothschild, W. (1927) On a new race of Bongo and chimpanzee populations were Fritze, A. (1912) Kleinere Mitteilungen. I: Go- and of Gorilla; On the skull of Gorilla gorilla affected by Anthrax. rilla gorilla Schwarzi Matschie. Jahrbuch des halli, Rothsch. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (9) 19, In November 2001, the Royal Zoo- Provinzialmuseums, Hannover, 1912, 113 271; 512 Furuichi, T. et al. (1997) Population density of Savage, T. S. (1847) Communication describ- logical Society of Antwerp (RZSA-CRC) chimpanzees and gorillas in the Petit Loango ing the external character and habits of a new set up a new great ape research site on Reserve, Gabon. Internat. J. Primatol. 18, species of Troglodytes (T. gorilla). Proceed- the unprotected periphery of the Dja 1029–1046 ings of the Boston Society for Natural History, Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, I. (1852) Sur le gorille. 245–247 Biosphere Reserve, through the inte- Compte rendu des séances de l’Académie des Savage, T. S. & Wyman, J. (1847) Notice of grated conservation and development Sciences, Paris, Vol. 34, 81–84 the external characters and habits of Troglo- project Projet Grands Singes (PGS; Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, I. (1853) Sur les rap- dytes gorilla, a new species of orang from the Dupain 2001). The site is delimited on ports naturels du Gorille; remarques faites à Gaboon river, osteology of the same. Boston la suite de la lecture de M. Duvernoy. Compte Journal Natural History 5, 417–443 the south by the Dja River. Preliminary rendu des séances de l’Academie des Sci- Schaller, G. (1963) The mountain gorilla. Chi- surveys indicated great ape densities ences Mai 1853, Vol. 36, 933–936 cago (University of Chicago Press) of 2.1 gorillas/km2 and 0.9 chimpan- Gonzalez-Kirchner, J. P. (1997) Census of Schouteden H, (1927) Note in: Schwarz, E. 2 western lowland gorilla population in Río Muni (1927) Un gorille nouveau de la forêt de l‘Ituri. zees/km (Dupain et al. in preparation). region, Equatorial Guinea. Folia zoologica 46, Revue de Zoologie Africaine 14, 333–336 Since then, research on great ape so- 15–22 Schouteden, H. (1930) Les gorilles congolais. cio-ecology has been going on conti- Groves, C. P. (1985) The case of the pygmy Revue de Zoologie et Botanique Africaines 14, nuously (PGS 2005). gorilla: A comtionary tale for cryptozoology. 298–302 Cryptozoology 4(1), 37–44 Schouteden, H. (1944) De zoogdieren van In November 2004, when following Groves, C. P. (2001) Primate Taxonomy. Wash- belgisch-Congo en van Ruanda-Urundi. Ann. the previous day’s traces of a group ington, London (Smithsonian Inst. Press) Mus. van Belgisch Congo II (3), Fasc. 1 of gorillas, we found the fresh carcass Haeckel, E. (1903) Anthropogenie 5. Aufl age, Schwarz, E. (1927) Un gorille nouveau de la of an adult female gorilla, her 2-week- 1. Teil, 426–430. Leipzig (Werner Engelmann) forêt de l‘Ituri. Revue de Zoologie Africaine Huijbregts, B. et al. (2003) Ebola and the de- 14, 333–336 old son lying alive and whining close cline of gorilla Gorilla gorilla and chimpanzee Slack, J. H. (1862) Note on Gorilla castanei- by. No injury was apparent. The car- Pan troglodytes populations in Minkebe For- ceps. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural cass was situated barely 20 m from est, north-eastern Gabon. Oryx 37, 437–443 Sciences, Philadelphia. 1862, 159–160 Jenkins, P. D. (1990) Catalogue of primates Sunderland-Groves, J. & Oates, J. F. (2003) the group’s nest site (5 nests) in young in the British Museum (Natural History) and Protection strategies for Cross River gorillas. secondary vegetation. Two of the nests elsewhere in the British Isles. Part V: the apes, Gorilla Journal 27, 12–13 were elevated (height 4 m and 1.5 m) superfamily Hominoidea. London (Natural His- Tutin, C. E. G. & Fernandez, M. (1984) Na- in lianas on saplings; the others were tory Museum publications) tionwide census of gorilla and chimpanzee Lönnberg, E. (1917) Mammals collected in populations in Gabon. Amer. J. Primatol. 6, ground nests. We feared a possible Central Africa by Captain E. Arrhenius. Pro- 313–336. Ebola outbreak, contacted the Yaoun- ceeding, Kunglisk Svenska Vetensk-Akadem- Tuttle, R. H. (2003) An introductory perspec- dé-based PGS offi ce and set up basic isk Handlingar (2) 58, no. 2, 7, pl. 1–110 (1–4) tive: Gorillas – How important, how many, how Matschie, P. (1903) Über einen Gorilla aus long? Pp. 11–14 in: Taylor, A. B. & Goldsmith, quarantine. Nonetheless, the following Deutsch-Ostafrika. Sitzungsberichte der Ges. M. L. (eds.) Gorilla biology. Cambridge (Cam- day, we rescued the infant who had naturforschender Freunde Berlin, 253–259 bridge University Press) survived the night, taking all possible Matschie, P. (1904) Bemerkungen über die Walsh, P. D. et al. (2003) Catastrophic ape basic precautions. Gattung Gorilla. Sitzungsberichte der Gesells- decline in western equatorial Africa. Nature chaft naturforschender Freunde Berlin, 45–53 422 (6932), 611–614 The gorilla group was tracked for Matschie, P. (1905) Merkwürdige Gorilla- Williamson, L. & Usongo, L. (1996) Survey of the next two days, and we noticed Schädel aus Kamerun. Sitzungsber. Ges. gorillas Gorilla gorilla and chimpanzees Pan some unusual behaviour that we want naturforschender Freunde Berlin, 277–283 troglodytes in the Reserve de Faune du Dja, to describe here. On day 1, they had Matschie, P. (1914) Neue Affen aus Mittelaf- Cameroun. African Primates 2(2), 67–72 rika. Sitzungsberichte der Gesellschaft natur- made their nests (6 ground nests and forschender Freunde Berlin, 323–342 1 tree nest, height 7 m) at just 150 m

28 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 GORILLAS

distance from the infant, and had then 3 weeks in our base camp and regai- ape densities to have dropped by ap- continued moving south for over 2 km ned strength quickly when adequate proximately 50% (Guislain et al. in pre- while feeding regularly on several Ma- nutrition was brought in. paration). rantaceae species, Aframomum, Afra- By mid-December, during routine re- Anthrax is caused by the presence momum fruits, Uapaca, Nauclea and search activities, 2 chimpanzees were (in a suffi cient amount) of spores of Ba- mushrooms. During a feeding session found dead; they were located by their cillus anthracis in the body.body. The spores (16.10 h), when some of the gorillas decay smell. Neither showed signs of can stay dormant in the soil for many were in the Nauclea trees and others injuries. One was lying on its back in a years. As a result, Anthrax is generally on the ground, 20 consecutive “whaa- ground nest, as part of a ground nest reported in and transmitted by cattle hoo” calls were heard and some go- group of at least 6 individuals in swamp (through faeces, their decomposing rillas tapped the soil with their hands vegetation. The team was evacua- bodies or the eating of their meat). At or feet. We were at a distance of ap- ted and our baby gorilla was taken to present, it is uncertain how the apes in proximately 50 m and had approached CWAF quarantine. At the request of the our research site were infected. the group quietly, so we had no reason Ministry of Forestry and Fauna (Cam- As the Projet Grands Singes is the to assume the gorillas had noticed us. eroon), a team was organized jointly by only research project studying great Between 16.24 and 16.35 h, still on the Great Ape Health Monitoring Unit apes in the northern periphery of the the same spot, we witnessed several (GAHMU, Max Planck Institute, Ger- Dja Biosphere Reserve, it is unknown high-pitched vocalisations (“whii-hoo” many), Centre International de Recher- whether the Anthrax die-off occurred once, “whiièh-whiièh” 3 times). The ches Medicales de Franceville (CIRMF, in a bigger part of the surrounding for- experienced trackers confi rmed that it Gabon), Limbe Wildlife Centre (Camer- est. Anthrax could be identifi ed as the was unusual to hear gorillas vocalise oon), Centre Pasteur (Yaounde), John cause of mortality for all great ape car- that much, and they had also never Hopkins Institute (Yaounde), Wildlife casses that were found in our research heard these specifi c vocalisations be- Conservation Society, Institut Recher- site (i.e. between the end of Novem- fore, which were clearly distinct from che Developpement, The Last Great ber 2004 and the beginning of January the “wraagh” alarm call, barks, screams Ape Organization (LAGA) and PGS 2005). or grunts. At 17.05 h we left the group to collect samples from the three car- By the end of February, the baby still at that same spot. On day 2, we fol- casses. gorilla was transferred to CWAF’s Me- lowed the tracks again for about 1 km, Research was re-activated on 6 fou Sanctuary, close to Yaoundé. He and found that the gorillas had spent January, 2005. On 7 January another had recovered well and will be joining the night in tree nests (n = 6, average dead chimpanzee, again showing no the social group of gorillas there in the height 8 m) and elevated nests (on sa- obvious injuries, was discovered. Once future. plings and lianas, n = 4, average height again samples were taken. All samples Patrick Guislain and Jef Dupain 2 m); this might be due to the high were sent to CIRMF and GAHMU on We would like to thank MINFoF, elephant activity in that area. (These 17 January for analysis. MINRESI, the Service de la Con ser- observed fl uctuating differences in nest After CIRMF had excluded Ebola as vation de la Réserve du Dja and the group size often occur in our site and the cause of the mortalities, samples International NGOs for their support and suggests sub-grouping). We fi nally lost from all 4 apes were sent to GAHMU encouragement to keep on monitoring track of the group that same evening as for analysis, and tested positive for this remarkable great ape population. they continued heading south toward Anthrax (Leendertz et al., submitted). PGS is currently seeking the necessary the Dja River. We never observed this Several other animals (incl. forest dui- funding to continue monitoring large nesting and travelling behaviour before ker, pangolin and guenon), but no more mammals and great apes in this non- and never heard such vocalisations; apes as yet, have been found dead in protected area. we think that it may be related to the the forest in February and March. Sin- References loss of a group member. ce April, no more carcasses have been Dupain, J. 2001. Conservation of Great Apes A tissue sample was taken from the discovered. The Conservator of the Dja on the Periphery of the Dja Reserve. Gorilla Journal 23, 18–20 gorilla body by a Cameroonian Wildlife Biosphere Reserve, H. Nlegue, visited Dupain, J. et al. (in preparation) Prospection Aid Foundation (CWAF) vet. We limi- the nearby villages to inform them of for the set up of a great ape research- and ted personal contact with the infant as the possible risks, and provided infor- conservation project on the northern periphery much as possible to one caretaker, im- mation on what to do. Based on nest of the Dja Faunal Reserve – Cameroon Guislain, P. et al. (in preparation) Monitoring provised diapers, and fed him powde- counts on the line transects over the rapid changes in populations: a case study of red milk. The baby gorilla spent almost months concerned, we estimate great Anthrax epidemiological outbreak in gorillas

29 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 GORILLAS

and chimpanzees (Cameroon) 90% of the gorillas died in the mid- need to ensure major ecological barriers Leendertz, F. H. et al. Anthrax joins Ebola in 1990s from Ebola. between the released gorillas and any threatening Central African great apes. Sub- mitted to Emerging Infectious Diseases. Experts discussed possible inter- human activity. This lesson was learnt Projet Grands Singes, 2005. Projet Grands ventions against the further spread of following several excursions by adult Singes 2001–2005. Internal report. the virus. Most agree that a vaccination males into local villages surrounding would be the most promising method, the Lesio-Louna Reserve (Watkin This is not the fi rst time that great apes but so far no vaccine exists. One of the 2002, King 2005a) and the amputation were infected with Anthrax; previously, other measures suggested is that riv- of the hand of one adult female that in a series of sudden chimpanzee ers could be cleared of fallen trees to had been caught in a snare (King deaths 2001–2002 in the Taï National prevent infected apes from crossing. 2005b) during the rehabilitation of the Park, Ivory Coast, Anthrax was con- Summary of several articles and bushmeat orphans. Therefore, while fi rmed as the cause of death. At least papers by various authors the general area for the reintroduction 6 chimpanzees had died from the was identifi ed through consideration disease there (Nature 430, 2004, pp. of several ecological, sociological 451–452). Reintroduced Gorillas: and political criteria, the specifi c site Reproduction, Ranging for release was chosen due to the and Unresolved Issues presence of large rivers on three sides, Ebola in Congo Republic and a vast expanse of non-forested In May, WHO confi rmed an Ebola Sixteen years after the conception of savannah on the fourth. Without such outbreak in the Congo Republic at the the Projet Protection des Gorilles (PPG) barriers, the human-gorilla confl icts end of April. This new outbreak was in Brazzaville in 1987 (Attwater 1990), that could have arisen would have in Etoumbi and Mbomo, south of the on 18 January 2003 a group of 5 adult been unmanageable. Odzala National Park. It is assumed that western gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) the virus was transmitted to the human was released into the southwestern Release Procedure population following the consumption Lefi ni Reserve in the Republic of Group 1 was released in the north- of nonhuman primates. The number of Congo. This landmark release was eastern corner of the reintroduction people who died during this outbreak a major step forward in a long-term site, at the confl uence of the Lefi ni and stayed rather low – 10 in total – because program to reintroduce the species Louna Rivers. To facilitate the transfer, of the good management. On 8 July, the to the Batéké Plateaux, an area from the group had been caged for two WHO was to declare that the outbreak which it has been absent for at least 50 months at the Lesio-Louna Reserve was over. years. On 8 September 2004, a second prior to the release. At fi rst light on the Between 2001 and 2003 gorillas and group was released, containing 9 sub- day of the transfer, the 5 adult gorillas chimpanzees died from Ebola in large adults and juveniles. The two released were darted by an experienced vet. numbers in northern Gabon and west- groups are made up of orphan gorillas Following medical checks, the gorillas ern Congo, especially in the Lossi Go- that have been rehabilitated in the were transported by lorry and then by rilla Sanctuary (Gorilla Journal 26). Re- neighbouring Lesio-Louna Reserve boat to the release site. The following searchers were extremely worried at (Attwater 1994, Courage et al. 2001, morning, the group was located about that time that the disease could spread Cousins 2002, Watkin 2002, Courage 300 m from the release site, and all further, and this has now happened: in and Harvey 2003, King 2005a). Both appeared in good health and spirits. March 2005 Ebola spread thorugh the the rehabilitation and the reintroduction Group 2 was released into a forest Odzala National Park in the Repub- programmes are managed and funded patch known as ‘Abio’, south of the ter- lic of the Congo and devastated the by the John Aspinall Foundation (JAF), ritory of group 1 and separated from it great ape populations there. It is even a UK-based charity founded by the late by 2 km of savannah. This transfer was feared that the disease could infect all John Aspinall, in collaboration with the notable in that the group of 9 free-liv- great ape populations in western Africa Congolese Ministry for Forest Economy ing sub-adult and juvenile gorillas was within a few years. and the Environment. anaesthetised, caged and transported Ebola expert Peter Walsh estimates without the need for darting. The use of that 20–35% of all western gorillas Site Selection an oral sedative (medetomidine) prior may have died from Ebola during the During the 16 years prior to the fi rst to the intramuscular injection by hand last decade. In Minkebe National Park, release, one major lesson was learnt of the anaesthetic (zoletil or ketamine) northern Gabon, probably more than that stands out above all others: the eliminated stress to the gorillas and

30 Gorilla Journal 32, December 2004 GORILLAS

also the dangers of darting in a non- including almost the entire dry season, of the solitary male became completely enclosed area. As with the fi rst release, in a single forest patch of 1.34 km². independent of the rest of the group, all members of the group were located During the subsequent wet season, and in November he suddenly and rap- the following morning in good health. the group travelled regularly between idly expanded his ranging activities. He forest patches, remaining in any one increased his range from 6.4 to 23 km² Rapid Reproductive Success forest patch no longer than 3.5 weeks. within a month, only ceasing when he The highlight of the reintroduction This ranging behaviour is typical of encountered group 2, with whom he programme so far was the birth on 13 wild western gorillas, who have been has remained. April 2004 of the fi rst baby successfully shown to travel further during the wet The disruption of the social dynam- born to a reintroduced gorilla (King season, to take advantage of the high ics within group 1 appeared to impact 2004). The mother, Djembo, almost 17 availability of fruit, than during the dry their ranging behaviour, conceivably in years old at the time of the birth, is the season, when fruit is scarce and low reaction to the mounting tension be- oldest member of the group. During the herbaceous vegetation is the staple tween them and the increasingly soli- rest of 2004, the baby remained healthy part of the diet (White et al. 1995, Tutin tary male. Nevertheless, they contin- and gained strength, and in September, 1996, Kuroda et al. 1996). ued to utilise the range they had es- at 5 months old, was observed on his In 2004, the birth on 13 April ap- tablished during 2003, while extending mother’s back for the fi rst time. peared to precipitate major changes it westwards to include approximately in the social dynamics within group 1. 6.4 km² of forest during 2004. Ranging Within 8 days of the birth, one of the two The social dynamics of group 2 were During the fi rst year following release, adult males became separated from the also disrupted, this time following the group 1 was tracked almost daily by rest of the group. During the following encounter with the solitary male from project staff, and remained together months, he became increasingly soli- group 1 on 2 December 2004. Three of and in good health. Their ranging tary, and his encounters with the group the younger members of the group split behaviour was found to be similar to increasingly tense. During the same pe- from the rest on the day of the encoun- that of wild western gorillas. Over the riod, the dominant male became more ter, and a fourth the following day. A few course of 2003, the group developed a defensive, and for the fi rst time began days later project staff succeeded in range containing no more than 4 km² of to threaten staff members if they ap- reuniting the 4 gorillas near the release forest, and spent a period of 6 months, proached. By October, the movements site. This small sub-group remained to- gether for the rest of December, south of the release site, occasionally be- ing led back towards the release site by project staff. The two sub-groups have since rejoined, although the regu- lar presence of the solitary male often results in temporary splits within the group. However, the long-term impacts of the encounter with the solitary male are unpredictable, and only further dai- ly monitoring will determine how the social relationships within the group evolve. Strangely, in February 2005, the remaining adult male in group 1, and the presumed father of the baby, also became solitary. As has always been the case with solitary males, he sud- denly increased his ranging, following the Lefi ni River west for 31 km in 12 days. In doing so, he crossed the west- Major ecological barriers are required between adult rehabilitated gorillas ern boundary of the reintroduction site, and human activity. Photo: John Watkin arriving in an unprotected area of for-

31 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 GORILLAS

est. To avoid danger to him and to local The fi rst concerns the genetic viability users, he was tracked, anaesthetised, of a population based on small numbers and returned to his former territory. For of rehabilitated individuals, the second the past 2 months he has remained the capacity of the area to contain the within the limits of the reintroduction extensive movements of solitary males, site, but his movements, and those of and the third the impact of human the fi rst solitary male, require constant presence, especially of visitors, on monitoring. the behaviour of the released gorillas. Therefore continued research and Carrying Capacity monitoring are essential to give a true These initial results indicate that the indication of the long-term success of reintroduction site, containing 47 km² the program. of forest in the core area plus a further Tony King, Christelle Chamberlan 53 km² of associated forests, will be able and Amos Courage to support a much larger population of gorillas. This is encouraging in terms of References Attwater, M. (1990) Brazzaville gorilla orphan- the long-term objective of establishing a age. Gorilla Gazette 4(2): 4–5. viable, self-sustaining gorilla population Attwater, M. (1994) Congo project update. Go- in the area, and it is clear that further rilla Gazette 8(1): 4 groups can and need to be released in Courage, A., Henderson, I. & Watkin, J. (2001) Orphan gorilla reintroduction: Lesio-Louna and the area to achieve this. Three gorillas Mpassa. Gorilla Journal 22: 33–35 within the PPG orphan rehabilitation Courage, A. & Harvey, M. (2003) Orphaned! program in the Lesio-Louna Reserve, First baby born to a reintroduced Africa Geographic 11(2): 32–45 Cousins, D. (2002) Natural plant foods utilized all females of 4 to 7 years old, are gorilla at a) 3 days old, b) 4 months by gorillas in the former Brazzaville Orphan- currently being prepared for future old, c) and d) 7 months old. age and the Lesio-Louna Reserve. Interna- release. Arrival rates of orphan gorillas Photos: Tony King (a, c, d) and tional Zoo News 49(4): 210–218. at PPG-Congo have reduced to just 1 Lucas Caviglia (b) King, T. (2004) Reintroduced western goril- las reproduce for the fi rst time. Oryx 38(3): or 2 a year in recent years, compared 251–252 to the levels of 10 or more per year in 5 staff members. While eventually no King, T. (2005a) Gorilla reintroduction pro- the early 1990s (King et al. in press). one was seriously hurt, and the gorilla gramme, Republic of Congo. Gorilla Gazette With this trend in mind, the potential showed no aggression towards either 18: 28–31 King, T. (2005b). Lengui, victim of the bush- for the sustainable restocking of the the staff or the visitors, the incident meat trade: Twice. Gorilla Gazette 18: 31–33 southwestern Lefi ni with rehabilitated could easily have resulted in serious King, T., Chamberlan, C. & Courage, A. (in orphans needs to be assessed. The injury to the gorilla, the visitors or the press) Orphan bonobo repatriated after 15 years in exile – How he beat the odds in a reasons behind the reduction in orphan staff. Therefore, fi nding the balance gorilla sanctuary in the Republic of Congo. gorilla arrivals at PPG-Congo also need between disturbance of the gorillas and International Zoo News to be investigated. the very positive impact on awareness Kuroda, S., Nishihara, T., Suzuki, S. & Oka, R. building amongst visitors remains a A. (1996) Sympatric chimpanzees and gorillas in the Ndoki Forest, Congo. In: W. C. McGrew, Impacts of Visitors serious challenge for the project. L. F. Marchant, and T. Nishida, eds. Great Ape One issue raised during the past 2 Societies. Cambridge University Press, Cam- years concerns the negative impacts Unresolved Issues bridge, pp. 71–81 Tutin, C. E. G. (1996). Ranging and social of visitors on the behaviour of the The past 2 years have been very structure of lowland gorillas in the Lope Re- gorillas. On one occasion in 2003, a encouraging in terms of assessing serve, Gabon. In: W. C. McGrew et al., eds. group of 4 tourists was charged by one the success of the reintroduction pro- Great Ape Societies. Cambridge University of the male gorillas, an event which gram. Observations on ranging and Press, Cambridge, pp. 58–70. Watkin, J. (2002) Going ape. Swara (East Afri- may have precipitated the attack by social dynamics, and the fi rst birth to can Wildlife Society) 25(3): 24–28. that male on one of the patrol staff the a reintroduced gorilla, all indicate that White, L. J. T., Rogers, M. E., Tutin, C. E. G., following day. In 2004, after half an hour the released gorillas have adapted well Williamson, E. A., and Fernandez, M. (1995) of calm observation, this same adult to the site and that their behaviour is Herbaceous vegetation in different forest types in the Lope Reserve, Gabon: implications for male jumped from an overhanging tree similar to that of wild gorillas. Three keystone food availability. African Journal of into a pirogue containing 3 visitors and major issues still remain unresolved. Ecology 33: 124–141.

32 Gorilla Journal 30, December 2004 READING

Dawn Prince-Hughes is the subject of the dynamic systems evolutionary biology, taxonomy, phi- Songs of the Gorilla Nation: My theory the author is using here. losophy, ethnography, archaeology, Journey through Autism. New York Barbara King presents many inter- linguistics, psychoanalysis and other (Three Rivers Press). 227 pages. esting examples and tells stories about fi elds of research that dealt with the Paperback, US$12.95. ISBN 1-4000- various forms of ape non-vocal com- nature of human beings are included. 5058-8 munication (especially gorilla behav- The book is interesting for anthro- This is not a book that is primarily about iour, because the author observed go- pologists in general as well as prima- gorillas, but a book of a human who rillas herself). Although she has much tologists who want to know more about discovered her own identity by study- to tell, it becomes clear that a lot of the history of views of great apes. ing gorillas. Dawn Prince-Hughes has research is still necessary before we Angela Meder Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism, fully understand great ape non-verbal and observed gorillas for a long time communication. Chilla Bulbeck – she dealt with these studies in her The book is useful especially for Facing the Wild. Ecotourism, con- fi rst book Gorillas Among Us. Her new people who already have some knowl- servation and animal encounters. book is about herself. She describes edge of the subject – others may have London (Earthscan) 2005. 288 pages, her life before she met the gorillas and diffi culties in following the author. She many photographs, fi gures and tables. how the gorillas changed it. usually introduces the people she Hardcover £ 65, US$ 120. ISBN An autistic person experiences the writes about only with their last name, 1-84407-137-5. Paperback, £ 18.99, world in a very different way, and for and often she does not explain theories US$ 35. ISBN 1-84407-138-3. Dawn Prince-Hughes the life of “nor- and models concisely. But she commu- mal” humans is as strange as the life of nicates the fascination of her subject R. J. Fisher, Stewart Maginnis, W. J. a gorilla – or even stranger. She want- very well and it is certainly worthwhile Jackson, Edmund Barrow and Sally ed to understand gorillas by observing to study it in more detail. Jeanrenaud their behaviour (although her way of Angela Meder Poverty and Conservation. Land- seeing them is probably different from scapes, People and Power. Landscapes that of most people observing gorillas), Raymond Corbey and Livelihoods Series No. 2. IUCN and she learned to practise human so- The Metaphysics of Apes. Negotiat- 2005. http://www.iucn.org/mdg5/docs/ cial behaviour based on observation ing the Animal–Human Boundary. PCbook.pdf of people and on observation of gorilla Cam bridge (Cambridge University behaviour. Press) 2005. X, 227 pages. Hardcover, Herbert S. Terrace and Janet Metcalfe Readers who mainly want to learn £ 40.00, US$ 65.00. ISBN 0-521- (eds.) more about gorillas will probably be 83683-2. Paperback, £ 14.99, US$ The Missing Link in Cognition: Origins disappointed in this book; but anyone 23.99. ISBN 0-521-54533-1 of Self-Refl ective Consciousness. Ox- who wants to understand the variety of Raymond Corbey discusses the di- ford University Press 2004. 364 pages. human ways of seeing the world and viding line between apes and humans, Hardcover, US$ 75.00. ISBN 0-19- living in it will fi nd it fascinating. especially the development of anthro- 516156-4 Angela Meder pology and its position regarding this line from the mid-17th to the late-20th William McGrew Barbara J. King century. He shows how boundaries The Cultured Chimpanzee: Refl ec- The Dynamic Dance. Nonvocal were constructed again and again, tions on Cultural Primatology. Cam- Communication in African Great Apes. each time with different material – and bridge University Press 2004. 262 Cambridge, Mass., London (Harvard torn down as soon as this material pages. Paperback US$ 29.99. ISBN University Press) 2004. 304 pages, proved to be not substantial enough. 0521535433. Hardcover US$ 90.00. 7 halftones. Hardcover, US$ 29.95, The central question is: What makes ISBN 0521828414 £ 19.95, Euro 27.70. ISBN 0-674- us human? And subsequently: Is this 01515-0 enough to separate us from the apes? Carel Van Schaik This is a book about the meaning of The diversity of answers to these Among Orangutans: Red Apes gestures, especially dyadic exchange questions across the centuries and and the Rise of Human Culture. (like between a dancing pair), not about subjects is very interesting. Cultural Harvard (Belknap Press) 2004. 272 rhythmic movement as the title might and physical anthropology are not the pages. Hardcover, US$ 29.95. ISBN suggest. Such an exchange of gestures only subjects discussed; primatology, 0674015770

33 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 READING

Jonathan Kingdon Human Rights Watch sors, contact details, links and volun- The Kingdon Pocket Guide to African D. R. Congo: Gold Fuels Massive teer opportunities. Mammals. Princeton (Princeton Human Rights Atrocities. Washington, University Press) 2005. 272 pages. DC, 2005. The report can be download- And the download address for this Paperback, US$ 24.95. ISBN 0-691- ed at http://allafrica.com/peaceafrica/ issue of our journal: www.berggorilla. 12239-3 resources/view/00010656.pdf (size: de/gj30e.pdf (1.9 MB). 586 kB). Camilla De La Bedoyere No One Loved Gorillas More: Réseau des Femmes pour un Dé- Dian Fossey Letters from the Mist. veloppement Associatif, Réseau des Congress of the With photographs by Bob Campbell. Femmes pour la Défense des Droits Inter national Primato- National Geographic Society 2005. et la Paix, International Alert 192 pages. Hardcover, US$ 30. ISBN Women’s Bodies as a Battleground: logical Society 2006 0-7922-9344-4 Sexual Violence Against Women and The 21st Congress of the Inter- Girls During the War in the Democratic national Primatological Society Clara B. Jones Republic of Congo, South Kivu (1996– will be held in Entebbe, Uganda Behavioral Flexibility in Primates: 2003). 2004. Available for download from the 25–30 June 2006. The Causes and Consequences. New York in PDF format (572 kB) at http://www. meeting will be co-hosted by (Springer Press) 2005. 184 pages. reliefweb.int/library/documents/2005/ several Ugandan Institutions Hardcover, US$ 149.00. ISBN 0-387- ia-cod-02jun.pdf and Conservation NGOs. Its 23297-4 theme is Primate Conservation in Action, which refl ects three Human Rights Watch New from the internet broad interests: 1) the need for Seeking Justice: Prosecution of Sexual Updates are available for the FAO report a forum for primate researchers, Violence in the Congo War. Washington, State of the World’s Forests (2005) at conservation practitioners and DC 2005. 52 pages. Available online www.fao.org/forestry/site/21407/en students to get together to ex- at http://allafrica.com/peaceafrica/ and of the IUCN’s Red List (2004) at change recent information in the resources/view/00010407.pdf (1.3 MB). www.redlist.org fi eld of primatology, 2) the need for The Bushmeat IMAP (Bushmeat the society to actively contribute International Crisis Group Information Management and Analy- to the conservation of primates The Congo’s Transition Is Failing: sis Project) is a web portal with many around the globe, and 3) the Crisis in the Kivus. Brussels 2005. resources interesting for people con- desire for a congress to support Available online at http://allafrica.com/ cerned with the bushmeat problem. It and encourage con servation ef- peaceafrica/resources/view/00010607. makes the BCTF Research Archive forts in the country and region in pdf (645 kB). and Projects Database searchable. In which it is held. partnership with Global Forest Watch The deadline for symposium/ The Rainforest Foundation, Global (GFW), BCTF is also able to provide workshop submissions is 1 Au- Witness, CDM Watch, Down to a mapserver for GIS datasets in Cen- gust 2005 and for presentations Earth, Sinkswatch, Forest Peoples tral Africa, which give context to the and early bird registrations 1 Sep- Programme, Environmental Defense, crisis and are important to understand- tember 2005. More information at: World Rainforest Movement ing, analyzing and demonstrating the http://www.ips2006uganda.org Broken Promises – The World Bank scope of the issue. Users can search and Forests. 2005. The report can be and view data, create and print custom Contact: William Olupot, IPS downloaded at: maps, and link to addition information 2006, P.O. Box 21669, Kampala, http://www.rainforestfoundationuk.org/ in the Research Archive and Projects Uganda s-Broken%20Promises%20-%20The Database. Phone: +256.41.501020+ %20World%20Bank%20and%20Fore PASA (Pan African Sanctuaries Mobile: +256-75-633781, sts or at http://www.forestpeoples.org/ Alliance) has a new website: www.pan- + 256-77-591834 Briefi ngs/World%20Bank/wb_forests_ africanprimates.org. It offers informa- Fax: +256-41-320662 joint_pub_apr05_eng.pdf (2.3 MB). tion on African sanctuaries: information [email protected] on PASA members, workshops, spon-

34 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 BERGGORILLA & REGENWALD DIREKTHILFE

Finances Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Hartwig, Christian Höllerer, Hans-Heinz Renovation of ranger posts 5,212.00 Holfelder, Hundeleben GmbH, Helga Income in 2004 Gorilla research project 1,500.00 Innerhofer, Volker Jährling, Wal ter Subscriptions 14,260.91 Digital camera 301.97 Lei bold, Dr. Karin Linke, Dr. Lore Mar- Donations 20,733.71 Cross-River National Park holdt, Hans Mayer, Brunhilde Präckel, Refund from meeting 908.50 Ranger equipment 683.40 Axel Rücker, Elke Schmitz, Dieter- Sales 1,222.70 Project management Peter Schmitz, Friedrich Stier, Dr. Total Euro 37,125.82 Project management 532.03 Hans-Christian Ströbele, Dr. Juliana Repairs of vehicle 532.03 Ströbele-Gregor, Heiko Weber, Anette Expenditure in 2004 Expenses 915.30 Wiegel, Bärbel Winkler, Zoo Milwaukee Administration 2,049.48 Photos for Travellers Rest 72.05 and Zoo Münster. Volker Sommer Gorilla Journal 6,229.49 Total Euro 38,778.03 donated some of his books for sale. Subscriptions 765.11 The VEBU printing company covered Items for sale 538.11 We thank everybody who supported the additional costs for printing the Postage 846.16 us from November 2004 to May 2005! journal on recycled paper. We are very Pay/top-ups 2,400.00 Major contributions and donations were grateful for the help of these persons Kahuzi-Biega National Park received from Horst Engel, Jörg Fa- and institutions as well as all the other Uniforms 7,234.41 mula, Sharon Farbiash, Stefan Faust, supporters whom we could not name Pygmy schools 3,268.00 Elisabeth Friedrich, Jürgen Friedrich, here! Virunga National Park Susan Götsch, Peter Günther, Manfred Uniforms 2,015.00 Dialogue committees 1,205.19 Sarambwe Uniforms 1,823.78 Rain clothing 375.00 UGADEC Ranger equipment 279.52

We are very grateful to Nouvelles Approches for the translation of the Gorilla Journal to French again! Nouvelles Approches, a Belgian based NGO, works to safe- guard the national parks of the Democratic Republic of Con- go. We are the only NGO currently active in Upemba and Kundelungu National Parks of Katanga Province and we collaborate with the GTZ in Kahuzi-Biega National Park. The fact that almost every member of our Board of Trus- tees has lived or is still resident in the D. R. Congo, is an asset that gives us good knowledge of the country. We maintain permanent contacts in Bu kavu, Lubumbashi, and Kinshasa. We keep excellent relationships with the ICCN and all national and international organizations involv ed in conservation in Central Africa. The No. 1 gorilla Michel Hasson Nouvelles Approches a.s.b.l. safari company Rue E. Branly, 9 Boîte 35 1190 Bruxelles, Belgium Fax : (00322) 732 27 08 www.volcanoessafaris.com [email protected] [email protected] www.nouvellesapproches.org UK · T +44 (0)870 870 8480 N° identifi c. nationale: 10281/97

35 Gorilla Journal 30, June 2005 Journey to the Gorillas Africa Adventure Touristik Kurt Niedermeier For further information contact: Mgahinga Safari Lodge is a luxury lodge, perched at the tip of a peninsula jutting into the waters of Lake Mutanda, in southwestern Uganda. The lodge is the ideal setting from which AFRICA ADVENTURE TOURISTIK to track the mountain gorilla in nearby Mgahinga Gorilla National Park or during a day trip Kurt Niedermeier to Rwanda or Congo. Seeshaupter Str. 17 All our visitors have seen the mountain gorillas! D-81476 Munich/Germany Africa Adventure Touristik will be pleased to design individual safari tours to the Phone: +49-89 759 79 626 mountain gorillas, all over Uganda and neighbouring countries. We offer our services all- Fax: +49-89-759-79-627 in-one, design of tours and reservation/booking in Germany, transportation in Uganda and neighbouring countries, mainly with own guides/drivers and own cars, operating Mgahinga E-mail: [email protected] Safari Lodge, situated right in the middle of all national parks where mountain gorillas are [email protected] living. We offer tours to the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, already designed and often tested. Please have a look at our website and/or contact us. http://www.aat-gorilla.com

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