Gorilla Journal Journal of Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe No. 59, December 2019

Progress Population of Protection of The EAZA Great at GRACE Bwindi Gorillas Cross River Ape TAG and in despite Serious Increases to 459 Gorillas in situ Conservation Challenges Takamanda BERGGORILLA & REGENWALD DIREKTHILFE

Authors of this Issue Dr. Angela Meder studied the be­ CONTENTS hav­iour and development of captive D. R. Congo 3 Dr. Maria Teresa Abelló Poveda low­land gorillas for 10 years. Since Supporting Bamboo Cultivation in has studied gorillas since 1985 in the 1992 she has been part of the Board of the Vicinity of Mount Tshiaberimu 3 Barcelona Zoo where she has been Directors of Berggorilla & Regenwald Progress at GRACE Amid Serious working since then. During this time Direkthilfe. Challenges 5 she has been trying to improve the sit­ Yorick Niess studied International Appeal for Donations: Efficient uation of the European ex situ gorilla Negotiations (INP) in Geneva. Apart Cooking Stoves 5 population. One of her concerns is that from his job at the broadcasting service Uganda 7 we need to increase the collaboration SWR he has been active for the AWP Population of Bwindi Gorillas between all people working to preserve on an honorary basis for more than Increases to 459 7 nature. She has been President of the 4 years, with a focus on Africa. Cross River 8 EAZA Great Apes TAG since 2016. Sandra Reichler is a biologist wor­ Critical Forest Corridor for Cross Dr. Tammie Bettinger is a consult­ king as curator for mammals, conser­ River Gorillas Threatened 8 ant working with the Gorilla Rehabil­ vation and research at Heidelberg Zoo. Protection of Cross River Gorillas itation and Conservation Education Since 2018 she has been Vice Chair of in Takamanda National Park 9 (GRACE) Center on conservation ed­ the EAZA Great Ape TAG (Taxon Advi­ Gorillas 11 ucation and the former Animal Opera­ sory Group). Rubber Plantation Close to the tions Director at Disney’s Animal King­ Stefanie Reska studied biology at Dja Reserve 11 dom. the J. W. Goethe University Frankfurt. Stay or Leave? Female Reproductive Jonathan Eban is the WCS Conser­ She worked as a freelancer for envi­ Costs in Western Gorillas 12 vation Coordinator in the Mbe Moun­ ronmental education at the Frankfurt How Is the EAZA Great Ape TAG tains and has worked for WCS since Zoo and the Palmengarten Frankfurt. Linked to in situ Conservation? 14 2012. Since 2007, she has been responsible Backing the Silverback 15 Dr. Inaoyom Imong is the Direc­ for environmental education and spe­ Reading 19 tor of the Cross River Landscape Pro­ cies conservation at the Zoological and Berggorilla & Regenwald ject of WCS Nigeria. He has been in­ Botanical Garden Wilhelma, Stuttgart. Direkthilfe 20 volved in Cross River gorilla research Dr. Martha Robbins, a research as­ and conservation since 2004. He stud­ sociate at the Max Planck Institute for ied the ecology and conservation of Evolutionary Anthropology, has been Cross River gorillas. studying the behavioural ecology of go­ Dr. Sonya Kahlenberg is the Exec­ rillas since 1990. Since 1998, she has utive Director for the GRACE Center. been studying the socioecology and re­ Gorilla Journal 59, December 2019 Marie Manguette is a PhD student productive strategies of mountain go­ Editor: Dr. Angela Meder at the Max Planck Institute for Evolu­ rillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Augustenstr. 122, 70197 Stuttgart, tionary Anthropology. She studies fe­ Park, since 2005 she has been working Germany male reproductive success and disper­ with the gorillas in Loango. E-mail [email protected] sal patterns of wild western lowland Claude Sikubwabo Kiyengo con­ Translation and Proofreading: Ann gorilla in Mbeli Bai, Republic of Congo. ducted a gorilla survey in the Maiko DeVoy, Bettina and Andrew Grieser Jackson Kabuyaya Mbeke is the National Park and took part in a gorilla Johns, Callum McCabe DRC Director for the GRACE Center. census in Kahuzi-Biega. He worked for Cover: Some of the gorillas at the the ICCN in Goma, for the IUCN pro­ GRACE Center gram PPP and for the regional office Photo: GRACE Organization Address: of IUCN in Central Africa. He was pre­ Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe viously chief conservator of the Parc Bank Account: c/o Burkhard Broecker National des Virunga, central sector, IBAN DE06 3625 0000 0353 3443 15 Juedenweg 3 the coordinator of the NGO VONA, the BIC SPMHDE3E 33161 Hoevelhof, Germany PACEBCo expert for conservation and Switzerland: E-mail [email protected] biodiversity in the Virunga region (CO­ IBAN CH90 0900 0000 4046 1685 7 Website: MIFAC), and since 2008 he has been BIC POFICHBEXXX http://www.berggorilla.org our assistant.

2 Gorilla Journal 59, December 2019 D. R. CONGO

Supporting Bamboo Ongoing activities include several markets such as Masereka, Nyabili, Kilalo/Luveve and Magheria. Cultivation in the Vicinity – the planting of bamboo As yet, there is no estimation of how of Mount Tshiaberimu – the cultivation of potatoes much bamboo is used in this way – – beekeeping but it is clear that objects or baskets In order to preserve the ecosystems – domestic water supply made from bamboo can be found in of Mount Tshiaberimu, Berggorilla every household in the territories of & Re-genwald Direkthilfe has made Nurseries and the Planting of Beni and Lubero, where the population it its duty to keep up its support for ­Bamboo exceeds one million people. The same this fragile site. Two forms of support Bamboo is a precious material which objects can also be found in house­ are provided: direct support for the the locals use extensively for a range holds outside these two territories, and trackers for gorilla monitoring within of purposes. For example, they use just about everybody passing on the the park, and support for community bamboo to make small wrappings for Goma–Butembo, Butembo–Beni–Bu­ development and improved sanitation fruit and larger baskets for potatoes, nia and Kisangani routes buys food for the well-being of the population. cabbages, leeks and other vegetables. wrapped in bamboo leaves. Community development activities Bamboo baskets are also used to Considering the thousands of peo­ are chosen from a range of requests. transport chickens, or fish from Lake ple who travel on these routes every Activities are chosen that contribute Edward, to the villages, and to make month, we can imagine the size of the to the development of the community mats and implements for cleaning area that has been cleared of bamboo while also having a positive impact on teeth. More than 70 % of the population to supply this demand. the conservation of Mount Tshiaberimu; in the vicinity of Mount Tshiaberimu use in addition, the activities should provide nothing but bamboo for the construction Short History and Motivation opportunities to sensitize the local of their houses (Kyungu Kasolene On Mount Tshiaberimu, gorillas from residents regarding the protection of 2015, unpublished report). Bamboo is the Kipura family spend between 60 % the gorillas. also sold in its unprocessed form in and 90 % of their time in the bamboo zone, and the Katsavara family spends between 35 % and 90 % of their time there, depending on the season (GO Report 2014). It should be noted that Kyondo Parc National Beni this vegetation zone, which used to DEMOCRATIC cover almost the entire area of Mount des Virunga Mutsora REPUBLIC OF Ruwenzori Tshiaberimu, now only occurs at the THE CONGO highest altitudes, and its area continues Butembo to decrease. Mt. Tshiaberimu Mt. Tshiaberimu In the villages of Camp Ngai and Ki­ Vurusi Semliki kyo, two sub-sectors of Mount Tshia­ Lubero berimu, the most common illegal activ­

Lake ity observed in the park is the cutting of Kalibina Kasugho Ishango Edward Masereka bamboo. To cut bamboo, the local peo­ ple cross remote borders of the park. Rwindi The bamboo is taken to the villages of Muramba Masereka, Vuholu, and Kivetya – are­ as that are known for their production UGANDA Rutshuru of vegetables (cabbage, carrots, beet­ Tongo root, onions) and potatoes – produce Lake Rumangabo that is sold wrapped in bamboo leaves. Edward Mikeno protected area Sector Planting bamboo in the Chiefdom can serve not only to help stabilize the RWANDA national border Goma bamboo zone but to help it regenerate Lake Kivu and spread back to the lower-altitude Mt. Tshiaberimu and the Virunga National Park Maps: Angela Meder areas of the park. This could create fa­

3 Gorilla Journal 59, December 2019 D. R. CONGO

vourable conditions for in-coming goril­ ture. This activity is carried out mostly improved seeds and to practice new las and help to increase the gorilla pop­ by women whose agricultural produce cultivation techniques, ulation at Mount Tshiaberimu, which is contributes to the survival of their fami­ – contribute to the increase of agri­ in decline. lies. These women farmers face dif­ cultural production in order to raise ficulties in acquiring improved seeds the socio-economic standard of the Results that will return a viable profit from their households, Currently, a project that plans to plant agricultural production. Failure to ac­ – encourage the local farming com­ 15,000 bamboo plants is being finalized. quire improved seeds leads to lower munities to get involved in the Beginning in March 2019, nurseries agricultural productivity, which means protection of Mount Tshiaberimu, have been established with a target of that no household income is generat­ – provide and distribute improved producing 15,000 plants and shoots. ed because women farmers produce seeds, Nursery staff were, unfortunately, only enough for direct consumption in – reduce conflicts between local hampered by an unusual dry season the households, with none left for sale farmers and the management of resulting in the loss of 65 % of plants in the market. This leads to the slopes Mount Tshiaberimu. from cuttings and 10 % from shoots; in of Mount Tshiaberimu being invaded as total, 5,625 plants were lost. The first people search for arable land, which Project Implementation round of production therefore resulted results in the degradation of the for­ The CEDAK Association organised in only 9,400 plants. Work is under way est and causes conflicts between eco- four groups of people, two for women to replace lost plants with plants from guards and local communities. and two for young people. Each group the shoots only. The nursery staff have This project was chosen to make received a field and received 344 kg of planted 3,200 more plants but their potato cultivation more popular and to Carolis potato seeds, a potato variety efforts and funds are now exhausted. raise the socio-economic standard of whose yield is estimated to be four 84 % of the project target has been households by increasing agricultural times that of the local varieties. achieved. production, thus reducing pressure on These nucleus groups started by The main target groups of this pro­ the Tshiaberimu forest. acquiring their fields, collecting natural ject are the large villages of Kyondo, The project aims to fertilizer (cattle dung), ploughing and Buwagha, Vurusi, Luseke, Kabeka, – strengthen agricultural production then planting the seeds in the natural­ Bulambo and Vikuku. The smaller set­ in the communities bordering Mount ly fertilized area. Weeding has already tlements between these large villages Tshiaberimu, been done and spraying is underway have not been forgotten – it is hoped – encourage the farming communities to eliminate crop pests. The harvest is that everybody who wants bamboo bordering Mount Tshiaberimu to use scheduled for mid-November 2019. plants will get some.

Potato Crop Promotion Project This project aims to improve potato cultivation in the vicinity of Mount Tshia­ berimu by bringing in new techniques and high-yielding seeds. The potato cultivation project was identified as a request of the popula­ tion via the CEDAK Association (Coali­ tion for Sustainable Environment Near Mount Kyabirimu) and provides both an impetus for development and an activ­ ity that can serve as a focus for aware­ ness activities for gorilla conservation. According to the association, 85 % of the inhabitants of the Beni territo­ ry in general – and those of the com­ munities bordering Mount Tshiaber­ Adding compost to a field before planting potatoes imu in particular – depend on agricul­ Photo: Marie Rose Kavira

4 Gorilla Journal 59, December 2019 D. R. CONGO

Mount Tshiaberimu and in Sarambwe. water. They spend a lot of time doing The success of this project led to its this and it sometimes exposes them to replication on Mount Tshiaberimu, sexual violence. using only local hives. This beekeeping A first water supply project is in its project is progressing well. 100 hives start-up phase. This project will contrib­ have been manufactured and supplied, ute to improving the health of the popu­ 25 hives already contain bees and with lation in Vurusi village (bordering Tshia­ the start of the rainy season, the plants berimu) and will mean that women and will start flowering and the remaining children need to spend less time col­ hives should also be populated. lecting water. Having time and being Project for the development of drink- healthy helps them to work effectively ing water sources: The majority of com­ and this in turn contributes to house­ munities bordering Mount Tshiaberimu hold incomes. suffer from a lack of drinking water. Claude Sikubwabo Kiyengo This results in the spread of waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea, typhoid, amoebiasis and ascariasis, leading to Progress at GRACE Amid poor health and affecting people’s abil­ Serious Challenges ity to work, therefore having a negative impact on production and on house­ The past two years have proven The existing water source of Vurusi hold incomes. Over 80% of households challenging for the Gorilla Rehabilitation village – a muddy pool do not have easy access to water. To and Conservation Education (GRACE) Photo: Kasereka Gervais access water, they sometimes need to Center, the world’s only sanctuary for travel long distances on very steep ter­ orphaned Grauer’s gorillas (Gorilla Other Projects rain and run the risk of slipping and beringei graueri). Serious insecurity Beekeeping: The first beekeeping injuring themselves. The women and broke out in the Kasugho region of project was carried out in 2017 on children are responsible for collecting North Kivu, Democratic Republic of

Efficient Cooking Stoves for the Population at Mt. Tshiaberimu Currently the supply of electric Kivu. Efficient stoves only need half as This project will reduce the power covers less than 30 % of the much charcoal as traditional ones. pressure on the Virunga Nation­ energy and is available only for a We would like to provide such stoves al Park, please support it! small percentage of the population to the population around Mt. Tshiaber­ The population around the in eastern Democrativ Republic of imu. The production of stoves for 500 Sarambwe Reserve is also in­ the Congo. For purposes such as households would cost 7,135 euros, in­ terested to participate. heating and cooking, firewood and cluding the hangar for their production charcoal are used in general. and training for the people how to use You are also welcome to donate One of the main reasons why them. via PayPal if you prefer this: people enter protected areas ille­ Beneficiaries would be asked to set http://www.berggorilla.org/en/help/ gally is the collection of wood for up local tree nurseries, so deforesta­ donate the production of charcoal. So tion could be reduced further. more efficient stoves would reduce Address: the pressure on the Virunga Na­ Bank Details: Berggorilla & Regenwald tional Park. Energy-efficient char­ IBAN: DE06 3625 0000 0353 3443 15 Direkt­hilfe coal stoves for cooking have been BIC SPMHDE3E c/o Burkhard Broecker tested throughout eastern Congo Switzerland: IBAN: CH90 0900 0000 Juedenweg 3 for more than a decade. They are 4046 1685 7 33161 Hoevelhof, Germany widely used in all the cities of North BIC POFICHBEXXX www.berggorilla.org

5 Gorilla Journal 59, December 2019 D. R. CONGO

the Congo, where GRACE is located, in mid-2017. Competing Mai-Mai forces took control of nearby villages for months at a time, and much of the local population was displaced by the violence. In 2018, security began to slowly improve, but then an outbreak of the Ebola virus was declared in August. Butembo, the closest town to GRACE, has been one of the epicenters of the outbreak, which continues today and is now the second largest in history. The GRACE DRC staff remained onsite throughout these crises, and the day-to-day care of the gorillas contin­ ued uninterrupted, thanks to their dedi­ cation and courage. For their unwa­ vering commitment to the gorillas, the entire team was recognized by the Dis­ ney Conservation Fund as Conserva­ The GRACE gorillas as seen on the Explore.org livestream camera tion Heroes. Photo: GRACE/Explore.org Protecting our staff, the gorillas, and the GRACE site have been prioritized, gorillas in our care, giving them a total Our other main community initiative and we have had to adjust some of of 15.8 ha of forest for daily use. This is addresses the problem of local food in­ our activities and programs according­ important for their rehabilitation, as the security caused by livestock theft by ly. For example, strict biosecurity pro­ gorillas now forage for nearly all of their armed groups. We trained a cohort of tocols were put into place at GRACE food on their own inside the forest. female community leaders in guinea when the Ebola outbreak began, and Additionally, in 2018 we completed pig husbandry and welfare, and they our onsite local visitor program was construction on an education center, have started a successful breeding suspended to decrease exposure risk which will serve as a hub for all of our program that has produced 126 off­ to GRACE staff and the gorillas. education and community outreach ac­ spring to date. Offspring will be given Amid these challenges, we have tivities. Because in-person contacts to other families in a “pay-it-forward” managed to also make progress on had to be limited due to Ebola con­ model that will make this program sus­ some key projects. In 2018, we opened cerns, GRACE’s education team has a second habitat for the 14 Grauer’s shifted their focus to small-scale pro­ jects. One major ongoing effort is to re­ duce the amount of wood people use for household cooking fires by promot­ ing the use of more efficient stoves. Our 100-household community sur­ vey showed that wood is the main source of fuel used in villages around GRACE and that people are extracting wood from the forests, including in and around Tayna Nature Reserve, an im­ portant habitat for wild Grauer’s gorillas A participant in the stove project GRACE staff member washes as and chimpanzees. We adopted a stove weighs the amount of wood she part of GRACE’s strict hygiene design that reduces wood use by 47 % uses for her stove to quantify protocol for Ebola prevention. on average and so far 124 households results. Photo: GRACE have installed these stoves. Photo: GRACE

6 Gorilla Journal 59, December 2019 UGANDA

tainable. We will be expanding these two promising pilot projects in 2020. Population of Bwindi Gorillas Increases to 459 We felt it was important to indepen­ dently verify that everything at GRACE Taking into account the latest census from Bwindi-Sarambwe, and including adhered to sanctuary best practices the figures for Virunga gorillas from the 2015–2016 census, the global total to ensure that we were doing all that population of mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) now stands at we could to provide the best life for 1,063 individuals. the gorillas in our care. We therefore The Bwindi-Sarambwe ecosystem is one of the two areas where moun­ applied for, and in 2019 received, Ac­ tain gorillas occur. This habitat covers 340 km2 and extends from Uganda credited status with the Global Fed­ to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. eration of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), For the latest census, 75 staff surveyed the area in two sweeps, the first the only globally recognized organiza­ between March and May 2018 (62 days) and the second from October to tion that provides standards for identi­ December 2018 (60 days). On discovering fresh or recent signs of gorillas, fying excellence in animal sanctuaries. the surveyors followed the signs until they had located three nest sites, from GRACE is the first great ape sanctuary which they collected faecal samples for the genetic identification of individ­ in Africa to receive GFAS accreditation. ual gorillas. The results showed that at least 459 gorillas roam Bwindi and At GRACE, we also recent­ the adjacent Sarambwe Reserve, 263 of which were previously unknown. ly launched Africa’s first 24/7 live- Not every gorilla is detected by this method, but we can say with certainty stream gorilla camera in partnership that the mountain gorilla population in Bwindi-Sarambwe has increased sig­ with Explore.org, a philanthropic mul­ nificantly since the last census in 2011, when a population of 400 gorillas timedia organization that sponsors the was estimated. Sarambwe Reserve was included in the census – for the world’s largest live nature network. The first time – because several groups of Bwindi gorillas occasionally visit this GRACE camera is located at the en­ area; thus previous surveys may have failed to record all the gorillas that trance of the gorillas’ forest habitat, so occur in Bwindi. online viewers can watch in real time However, in spite of the encouraging survey results, it is not possible to as the gorillas come and go each day. sit back and relax: illegal activities in the protected areas continue unabat­ GRACE is in a remote area and is not ed, as testified by the surveyors: the teams destroyed 88 snares, a similar protected area open to tourists, so this camera is a re­ number as in 2011. Ishasha source that can help us share the goril­ national border Summary of a press release by IGCP las with the world. This is important as the GRACE gorillas can act as ambas­ You can read more about this in the final census report: http://igcp.org/wp- sadors for their counterparts in the wild content/uploads/Bwindi-Sarambwe-2018-Final-Report-2019_12_15.pdfBulema and hopefully increase support for their Rutshuru protection. Sonya Kahlenberg, Jackson Ka- Parc National Butogota Kanungu buyaya Mbeke and Tammie Bettinger des Virunga

GRACE webcam UGANDA Watch here: https://explore.org/ Sarambwe livecams/grace-gorillas/gorilla-forest- Réserve Rusura corridor Naturelle Buhoma Kitahurira de Sarambwe Bwindi Ruhija Nteko Impenetrable D. R. National Park CONGO Nkuringo Rutshuru Kashasha

7 Gorilla Journal 59, December 2019 CROSS RIVER

Critical Forest Corridor large tracts of forest within the reserve. In early 2019, WCS received reports for Cross River Gorillas of extensive clearing of the southeast­ Threatened ern axis of the reserve with bulldozers, ostensibly to establish a cocoa plan­ Protecting forest corridors that allow tation. While farm encroachment and movement and genetic exchange illegal logging within the reserve are between Cross River gorilla sub­pop­ existing threats, the recent invasion of ulations and groups is critical to their the reserve by an unknown group sup­ long-term survival. The Afi River Forest posedly for large-scale cocoa farming Reserve, which covers approximately gives a new dimension to the problem. 380 km2, is an important corridor linking Preliminary investigations by WCS re­ the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary to vealed that the clearing started after the Mbe Mountains and the contiguous an unknown group of people held con­ Okwangwo Division of Cross River sultations with one of the surrounding National Park – the three sites where communities apparently to obtain the gorillas are found in Nigeria. community’s support with the promise The loss of this important corridor of joint ownership of the farm to be will have consequences for the long- established. Although WCS reported term viability of the small, increasing­ the illegal activity to the Cross River ly isolated population of gorillas living State Forestry Commission that man­ in the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary. ages the reserve, the bulldozing contin­ This is why WCS and other stakehold­ ued for weeks unchecked. Fortunate­ ers in Cross River State were alarmed ly, with sustained pressure from WCS, A bulldozer and timber inside the by recent reports of the bulldozing of the clearing eventually stopped and the Afi River Forest Reserve, 1 April 2019 Photos: WCS Nigeria Butatong Anape protected area Akwaya gorilla distribution bulldozers moved out of the forest. Ef­ Afi Mountain forts to identify the people behind the Wildlife border Okwangwo clearing and what kind of authorization Sanctuary Mbe Mountains they may have had were not success­ ful. Similar unconfirmed reports have Afi River Cross River Takamanda Mbulu Forest Forest National National been heard of the acquisition of land in Reserve Park Park other forest areas of the state for large- Basho scale cocoa farming. Kagwene Gorilla Sanctuary Early this year, the federal govern­ Takamanda ment of Nigeria announced plans to provide intervention funds to boost the NIGERIA Mone CAMEROON production of cocoa, oil palm and other Manyu (Cross) Rive cash crops as part of efforts to boost Mone River exports. Following in the footsteps of Forest Reserve r the federal government, the Cross Mamfe River State government has also an­ Tofala Hills nounced renewed commitment to in­ Wildlife Sanctuary crease cocoa and oil palm production in the state. While this renewed inter­ est and commitment of government to Location of Afi River Forest Reserve and other sites in the Cross River boost agricultural production is com­ gorilla landscape mendable, any planned increase in co­ Map: Angela Meder, with information from Richard Bergl coa and oil palm production should be

8 Gorilla Journal 59, December 2019 CROSS RIVER

done in a way that minimizes impact on biodiversity, targeting already de­ graded areas rather than the state’s re­ maining forest. WCS calls on the Cross River State Forestry Commission to take meas­ ures urgently to stop further deforest­ ation of the Afi River Forest Reserve to enhance the survival prospects of the population of Cross River gorillas in the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary that needs the corridor provided by the reserve to move and have genetic con­ tact with other groups. Inaoyom Imong and Jonathan Eban

Protection of the Cross River Gorillas in Taka­ manda National Park Cocoa harvest Photo: AWP The Takamanda National Park is not only a home to many of the endangered Fighting Poverty with Cocoa Beans are no roads to transport the harvest. Cross River gorillas (Gorilla gorilla Gorilla conservation only works in Even before the unrest started, their diehli), but also to people. Currently, cooperation with the local people. Most income was extremely low. civil war is looming in the region. While of them are farmers and live from cocoa In 2018, AWP started the construc­ large international organisations such cultivation, but they cannot increase tion of a solar dryer. It allows them to as WWF and WCS have pulled out the area they are cultivating and there keep the harvest dry during the rainy of the area, the AWP (Association for Wildlife Protection – www.awpwildlife. org), a small organisation located in Freiburg in southern Germany, has remained, refusing to abandon the gorillas and the human residents. Hardly any information about the status of the great apes comes out of the region. For over two years, the spe­ cies-rich national park has been a mili­ tary combat zone: Rebels use the for­ est as a refuge and the government tries to recapture the area. The local people live in the middle. In 2017, they were told to leave their homes within 48 hours. Many fled across the border to Nigeria, some of them reaching a re­ ception centre set up by the UNHCR. Although the civil war is still ongoing, some have now returned to their vil­ lages to rebuild their lives. AWP assists them in this endeavor, hoping in turn for Installation of fermentation boxes for cocoa their support in protecting the gorillas. Photo: AWP

9 Gorilla Journal 59, December 2019 CROSS RIVER

season, preventing loss due to mould. AWP’s condition for setting up the dry­ er was that the facility should only be used by farmers who are actively in­ volved in gorilla protection and that women should have equal access to the dryer. The construction work was completed in mid-2019, although all building materials had to be transport­ ed by boat and motorcycle through an area affected by civil war. During its first test run, the­ dry er proved to have a capacity of 1.25 tons per week – sufficient for the har­ vest of the entire village. In addition, AWP installed fermentation boxes to improve the quality of the harvest. We hope that the new facility will ensure School education – in the classroom that the farmers’ income will increase Photo: AWP by 8–10 %, a first step in freeing the population from poverty. A second step School Education for Civil War and threats to prevent the children would be to enable the farmers to sell Children from attending school. It is always the their beans at a fair price. To this end, The conflict in the English-speaking children who suffer. AWP is currently the we have offered their cocoa beans to part of Cameroon started with a new only organisation to restore a little bit of leading European chocolate producers education policy of the French-speaking normality for the approximately 8,000 – and the results are promising. central government. This was followed children in Takamanda. In collaboration by several years of school kidnappings with Wilhelma Zoological and Botanical Gardens Stuttgart, we help children aged 7 to 17 to catch up on regular Working for gorilla conservation in western Cameroon is exhausting and lessons with a mobile classroom. We risky for AWP staff: simply getting to the Takamanda National Park may further implement learning games and endanger their lives. For example, the road to Mamfé was considered a singing contest. The educational goal impassable until the project manager, Mrs Ngwasina, travelled it unharmed. is to impart motor, linguistic and social There are also so-called “ghost towns”, where, on some days, trade stops skills to the students. In addition, the and neither buses, nor hotels, nor food are available. Power outages and children also learn to live peacefully the loss of telephone and internet connections also hamper communication. alongside their animal neighbours, Plus, without warning, you might find yourself in the middle of a gun fight specifically the Cross River gorillas and on the streets. Experts advised us against the use of bulletproof vests – the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees. if these fell into the hands of the rebels, they could be regarded by the The educational project is delivered government as “military supplies” because they give the enemy a military in class during the school term: in ef­ advantage. fect, a project week. In Takamanda, the Again and again our teams are detained for hours and screened by the classes are mixed and consist of up military or the rebels in so-called “check points”. Even when they have final­ to 60 students, sometimes with great ly reached their destination in the national park, our teams are still exposed differences in age – a challenge for to suspicious looks, and their communications are intercepted to make sure our educators who have been specially that they are not spies. trained for the programme. The mod­ In spite of this difficult situation, the project has been running for two ern methods that are employed, such years, and we can see how the situation in Takamanda is slowly getting bet­ as station learning, group seating or ter. Smiles are returning to people’s faces, people who are willing to protect individual child support, are also unu­ even gorillas from danger. sual. In order to obtain the “Ape Ex­ pert” certificate, students must pass a

10 Gorilla Journal 59, December 2019 GORILLAS

written examination. Especially dedi­ cated children receive soft animal toys as prizes. Yorick Niess

We have the agreement of the Cam­ eroonian Ministry of the Environment to extend our project to other villages, and the word of the rebels who respect our commitment to the region. You – as readers of this magazine and supporters of Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe – are currently among the few who make our involvement possible. On behalf of the indigenous people of Kekpani, I would like to thank you for this.

These children passed the examination for the Ape Expert Rubber Plantation Close to the Dja Reserve certificate and received animal toys. According to a report by Greenpeace Africa, the Singaporean based Photo: AWP company Halycon Agri and her Cameroonian subsidiary Sudcam operate a rubber plantation business in Cameroon. These operations are threatening the ecosystem and local and indigenous communities in the periphery of the Dja Faunal Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987. It is home to 14 primate species. Sudcam’s plantation is separated from the protected area by only 100 to 200 m of forest. Sudcam has cleared more than 10,000 ha of dense tropical rainforest to make way for rubber plantation between 2011 and 2018. They are respon­ sible for the most devastating new forest clearance for industrial agriculture in the Congo basin. Since the beginning of 2019, clearing has accelerated. Sudcam’s convention in 2011 with the Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT) granted Sudcam the right to develop and expand a large-scale plantation and production zone. It also gave the company exclusive rights to extract and use water in the concession area without further authorisations or fees and the right to put up roadblocks. Sudcam also has the right to ignore future laws and regulations passed by parliament or other state bodies. Basic information to assess and monitor Sudcam’s operations and re­ lations with communities is lacking. There is no evidence of meetings be­ Greenpeace Africa tween Sudcam and local communities, no memorandum of understanding, Halcyon Agri’s Ruinous Rubber. July no official concession maps, no investment agreement, no certificate of ­en 2018. 16 pages. Download PDF (5.88 vironmental conformity and impact assessments. This contradicts stand­ MB): https://www.greenpeace.org/ ards and procurement policies set by Halcyon Agri and Sudcam customers archive-africa/Global/africa/Forests/ such as global tyre manufacturers. Publications/Greenpeace%20Africa- From a press release by Greenpeace Africa Sudcam-Report-2018-1.pdf

11 Gorilla Journal 59, December 2019 GORILLAS

Stay or leave? Female Reproductive Costs in Western Gorillas

Western gorillas live in social groups that consist of one silverback, several females and immature offspring. Females rely on the silverback who, with his impressive body size, can protect them and their offspring against predators and other adult males. Adult females may transfer between groups multiple times in their lives (also called secondary transfers) and transfer directly during inter-group encounters (Stokes et al. 2003). This strategy is very rare among primates and is be­ lieved to represent female choice for a strong and powerful male (Harcourt & Female Bessie (in George’s group, left) checks out younger male Stewart 2007). Coriander. Because females rely on silverbacks Photo: Vidrige Kandza/WCS Congo to protect them and their offspring, they should choose to reside with a male sult, females transfer between social stayed with the same silverback for as who provides the best protection and groups but they do not all transfer with long as 20 years. is of high strength. Just as in humans the same frequency. Some females will When a silverback dies, all females and other animals, males vary in their leave a group after each of their off­ leave to join a new male. If at that point size and power, and as silverbacks spring is weaned, up to six times in a female has an infant that is not yet age their strength diminishes. As a re­ their lives, while other females have weaned, then the new silverback will most likely kill it (this is called infanti­ cide) in order to breed with the female right away and raise his own offspring. Although infanticide has never been di­ rectly observed in western lowland go­ rillas, it can be inferred when an un- weaned infant disappears after a fe­ male has transferred to a new group. Female western gorillas can reduce the likelihood of such infanticide from happening by leaving a male during the limited time window immediately af­ ter their offspring was weaned and be­ fore they conceive their next offspring. Females then leave their weaned off­ spring behind with their father. However, transferring to a new male may also involve costs such as loss of habitat familiarity, higher rates of ag­ gression towards the immigrating fe­ male and reproductive delays. There­ The clearing of Mbeli Bai Photo: WCS Congo fore, the optimal strategy for a female

12 Gorilla Journal 59, December 2019 GORILLAS

to improve her reproductive output over northern Republic of the Congo. Mbe­ his tenure (80 % versus 40 % infant the course of her life may involve a li Bai is a 13 ha swampy natural forest mortality, see A in the figure). Howev­ trade-off between the costs of dispers­ clearing in the middle of the rain for­ er, we also found that infant mortality ing and the benefits of choosing a more est, which contains vegetation rich in was higher at the end of a male’s re­ protective male. The timing of dispersal minerals that attracts numerous groups productive career even if we exclude may be essential to improve a female’s of gorillas. We observed the gorillas males whose tenure ended by their reproduction. by using telescopes, digital cameras death (65 % versus 30 % infant mor­ These different strategies of males and videos, from a 9 meter-high plat­ tality, see A in the figure), suggesting and females lead to the following ques­ form overlooking the clearing and al­ that the male’s capability of protecting tions: Do female western gorillas suffer lowing almost 100 % visibility. We iden­ his offspring against predators or other higher reproductive costs when they tified each gorilla using facial features, males is decreasing as he ages and disperse? Do they suffer reproduc­ body size and pelage coloration. A total nears the end of his tenure. Therefore, tive costs when they stay with a male of 440 gorillas were observed since the females suffer a reproductive cost by near the end of his tenure? What is the beginning of the study including 229 in­ staying with males who are near the best strategy that females should use fants born to 100 adult females in a to­ end of their tenure and it would be ad­ to improve their reproductive rate? In tal of 36 breeding groups. vantageous to transfer to a stronger order to address these questions, we We found that a higher percentage and younger male. used the data from a 20-year study of infants die if they are born when the However, when females transfer to (1995–2015) of a wild population of male is old and near the end of his ten­ a different male, they have longer in­ western lowland gorillas at Mbeli Bai, ure compared with infants born when tervals between births (5 months long­ in the Nouabale-Ndoki National Park in the silverback is in the early years of er) and hence fewer births over their lifetime, which is similar to reproduc­ tive delays from transferring observed in mountain gorillas (Robbins et al. 2009). These delays can be substan­ tial: females that transferred four times during their life took approximately 10 years longer to produce a surviving off­ spring compared to females that never transferred (see B in the figure). Giv­ en the high costs of transferring, a fe­ male finds herself in a dilemma when she is with a weaker or older male: should she stay, breed with him again, and risk losing the infant if he dies, or should she leave and suffer a repro­ ductive delay? Our investigations showed that fe­ males suffer the highest cost if their infant dies. Therefore, females should leave a male if they perceive he is weak and unlikely to survive the next 5 years, which is the length of time it takes her to wean a new infant. Yet how do females know when to leave? Many females leave a male long before he dies, suggesting that they may be able to determine when he is getting weak­ Results of the analysis for determining the reproductive costs of staying er than other males, potentially using and leaving the outcome of aggressive displays be­ Illustration: Marie Manguette tween males when they meet as a hint.

13 Gorilla Journal 59, December 2019 GORILLAS

Whether females do in fact intention­ species all over the world. They work fare of individual animals has the high­ ally leave older males and join younger collaboratively, grouped by geographic est priority. These zoo populations work and stronger males still remains to be region, facilitating knowledge and re­ as ambassadors for their endangered determined. sources to help obtain the best results. conspecifics in the wild. Educational This study contributes to our under­ The European Association of Zoos work within the zoos increases the in­ standing of the costs and benefits of and Aquaria (EAZA) has 423 member terest of people to save nature. Dur­ social living. The male and females zoos in 48 countries, more than 140 ing their zoo visit they are not only in­ form long-term social bonds and can million people visit these zoos every formed about endangered animals but live together for long periods of time. year. One of the zoos’ main goals is are also encouraged to support conser­ However, they have differing strate­ to establish and maintain sustainable vation projects in the wild. In addition to gies of maximizing their reproductive and genetically healthy populations of that, several in situ conservation pro­ success. This study sheds light on the threatened animals, whereby the wel­ jects are financed by zoos directly. Zoo mechanisms driving the grouping pat­ terns in gorillas and the dynamic na­ ture of their social groups, which in turn contributes to our understanding of hu­ man sociality. Marie Manguette and Martha Robbins

Original article Manguette, M. L., Robbins, A. M., Breuer, T., Stokes, E. J., Parnell, R. J., Robbins, M. M. (2019): Intersexual conflict influences female reproductive success in a female-dispersing primate. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 73, 118

References Stokes, E. J. et al. (2003): Female dispersal and reproductive success in wild western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 54, 329–339 Harcourt, A. H. & Stewart, K. J. (2007): Gorilla Society: conflict, compromise, and cooperation between the sexes. Chicago University Press, Chicago Robbins, A. M. et al. (2009): Does dispersal cause reproductive delays in female mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei)? Behaviour 146, 525–549

How Is the EAZA Great Ape TAG Linked to in situ Conservation? Modern zoos are institutions that con­ tribute towards conservation education through the conservation and research of living beings and their natural habitats. Conservation education and EAZA support for gorilla in situ conservation projects (above) and for the research activities of zoos have projects that protect more than one great ape species (below) the aim of helping endangered animal Illustrations: Merel Zimmermann, EAZA Conservation Database 2019

14 Gorilla Journal 59, December 2019 GORILLAS

populations can provide animals for re­ introduction into the wild, if necessary, as a conservation tool. The One Plan Approach helps to optimize global con­ servation work and facilitate a stronger link between ex situ and in situ con­ servation. As a result of this zoos have gained a stronger role in global conser­ vation during the last few years. Within the European zoo associa­ tion, Taxon Advisory Groups (TAG) are responsible for management, conser­ vation, research and husbandry of sys­ tematic groups of animals. The Great Ape TAG Vision statement clearly says that “We are committed to ensuring the long-term survival of ex situ and in situ healthy and viable bonobo, chimpan­ zee, gorilla, and orang-utan popula­ tions.” It is our mission “to maintain self- Mountain gorilla sustaining and healthy populations of Photo: Stefanie Reska all the taxa of great apes […], and to encourage and promote their conser­ habitat by actively contributing to this amount of 573,084 euros. vation in the wild”. effort. A new tool to evaluate the contribu­ For that reason, one of the main EAZA zoos can assist field conser­ tion from EAZA institutions to in situ goals of the Great Ape TAG is the es­ vation efforts for great apes in a num­ conservation projects is the EAZA Con­ tablishment of strong links between ber of ways, for example, by raising servation Database. The contribution ex situ and in situ conservation. While the awareness of their visitors regard­ to great ape projects has been increas­ we continue improving husbandry for ing the plight of wild great apes, includ­ ing during the last few years as shown great apes in zoos we emphasize at ing the fact that they are critically en­ in the figures. the same time the significance of pre­ dangered and the reasons why; and Collaboration and communication serving the wild populations and their by funding field conservation efforts with representatives from conservation through the numerous NGOs working organisations, such as IUCN, GRASP in the field. and PASA, has been quite active dur­ The European Association of The TAG, in cooperation with the rel­ ing recent years and it is being further Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), with evant EEPs and their conservation ad­ reinforced to help improve the results 423 members in 48 countries visors, promotes conservation issues of our common goals of conservation, throughout Europe and the Middle and supports “ex situ” and “in situ” con­ education and research. East, is the largest professional servation initiatives relevant to species Maria Teresa Abelló Poveda and zoo and aquarium association in the TAG. It is open to a closer coop­ ­Sandra Reichler in the world, with approximately eration with IUCN, GRASP, PASA and 140 million visitors per year. Re- other reputable conservation organiza­ connecting with nature and re- tions in order to exchange knowledge Backing the Silverback establishing our relationship with and experience, to discuss issues con­ the world’s species, to whom cerning ape species, and to work clos­ Fundraising for in situ conservation we owe our very existence, is er together to help maintain apes in at the Zoological and Botanical Gar­ essential if we are to overcome the wild. den Wilhelma in Stuttgart the many environmental and In 2010, EAZA launched an Ape These days, most zoos make an societal challenges ahead. Fund Campaign to support 26 in situ enormous and steadily increasing projects for apes until 2018 for a total contribution to the conservation of

15 Gorilla Journal 59, December 2019 GORILLAS

Panoramic view of the Wilhelmaʼs main entrance that was redesigned to explain the Conservation Euro Photo: Wilhelma endangered species in their natural with wildlife motifs or organising “Great of 150,000 euros. The first use of this habitats. Not only do they sensitize Ape Lotteries”. By 2017, 80,000 euros money was for the purchase of valu­ many millions of visitors every year were being collected every year, all of able rainforest areas in Belize in order to nature conservation issues, they which was donated to in situ projects. to connect existing protected areas to are also focusing more and more on Since 2018, the growing importance of each other through a biological corri­ mobilizing these people as allies in species conservation at Wilhelma has dor. This provided long-term security species conservation. This becomes been reflected in a specific budget line for 400 km2 of forest, equating to the abundantly clear if you look at how territories of at least 20 jaguars. fundraising for conservation has The most far-reaching step in estab­ developed over the last 10 years at lishing the zoo as a powerful ally for in Wilhelma, the Zoological and Botanical situ projects was taken in the spring of Garden in Stuttgart. 2019. Since then, Wilhelma has been In 2009, new ways of fundraising inviting its visitors to participate in the were developed for the first time – quite fight to conserve biological diversity. different from merely putting up dona­ The “Conservation Euro” is in princi­ tion boxes: a collection station for dis­ ple included in the adult ticket price, carded mobile phones was placed in but every Wilhelma visitor can decide the former ape house. It was anything at the entrance gate whether he or she but certain that the zoo visitors would wishes to make this contribution. 100 % actually bring their old mobile phones of the proceeds are invested in further with them in order to donate them to species protection projects – there are mountain gorilla conservation. But, no administration fees whatsoever. The having said that, the initiative known experience of the first 6 months shows as the “mobile phone project” collect­ that the public appreciates the impor­ ed over 1000 devices in the first year tance of the issue: over 85 % of adult alone, and, over the next 10 years, visitors pay the extra euro. raised over 50,000 euros for the pro­ By mid-2019, the financial commit­ tection of gorillas in Africa – all thanks ment to the protection of species world- to the zoo visitors. wide, which began with a few thousand Since then, Wilhelma has continu­ euros in 2009, has increased to over ously expanded its creative fundrais­ Box for mobile phone collection half a million euros. Currently, more ing, for example by selling artworks Photo: Angela Meder than 20 projects are supported with

16 Gorilla Journal 59, December 2019 GORILLAS

these funds. The species that bene­ where confiscated animals are reintro­ songs about the bushmeat trade; and fit range from the Vinaceous-breasted duced into the wild. In 2019, the Con­ in those areas where the great apes amazon parrot in Brazil to the Suma­ servation Euro made it possible to in­ occur, the villagers are involved in an­ tran rhino in Indonesia and the Tequila vest an additional 30,000 euros in the ti-poaching patrols. “Lola ya Bonobo” splitfin in Mexico, which, while extinct area to reforest another 9 ha in order near Kinshasa, where orphaned bon­ in its natural habitat, is bred in zoos to connect existing forest patches with obos are reared, has received finan­ and for whose release back into the each other. In areas that were refor­ cial support from Stuttgart for years; a wild entire river sections are being re- ested 10 years ago with the help of 10,000 euro financing gap for the re­ naturalized. Wilhelma, the trees have now grown introduction of 14 animals planned for Wilhelma is known for its successful so tall that they offer a habitat to the the end of 2019 was also bridged. keeping of apes, and if you look at what orang-utans once again: two orang- On the other side of the DRC, in the zoo is doing to assist the survival of utan mothers with recently-born off­ the Virunga National Park, a special­ orang-utans, bonobos and gorillas, it spring have just been spotted there. ly founded sniffer dog squadron, the becomes even clearer what an impor­ In the west of the Democratic Re­ so-called “Congohounds”, has helped tant impact a dedicated zoo can have public of the Congo (DRC), bonobos protect the mountain gorillas since on the work of local conservationists. are at risk from poaching and the ille­ 2012. Wilhelma has donated over In Borneo, Wilhelma has been in­ gal pet trade. To protect this species, 150,000 euros to the project, financ­ volved in the reforestation of the La­ Wilhelma now supports three initia­ ing dog training, veterinary treatment mandau River Reserve in Kaliman­ tives with a two-pronged approach: to and several off-road vehicles, as well tan, Indonesia since 2009. This is an reach the urban population, local music as environmental education for young area where wild orang-utans roam and stars are recruited to compose popular Congolese.

Sniffer dog squadron, Virunga National Park, April 2017 with visitors from the Wilhelma Photo: Wilhelma

17 Gorilla Journal 59, December 2019 GORILLAS

lieve the pressure of the population on natural resources. In 2018, Wilhelma financed a bamboo project that sup­ plies sustainably harvested construc­ tion material and firewood. A little fur­ ther east in Sarambwe, which is a pro­ tected area of 900 ha, a total of 20,000 euros were invested over several years in the equipment of the local rangers. Uniforms, boots and binoculars suita­ ble for field work were purchased and derelict ranger posts were rebuilt. While the western lowland gorilla, one of two subspecies of the west­ ern gorilla, is kept in zoos all over the world and regularly produces offspring in captivity, the status of the popula­ tion of Cross River gorillas, the sec­ ond subspecies, is critical and there are no “back-up populations” in captiv­ ity. At best, 250 animals may survive in western Africa, which means that this subspecies is much more threatened Congohound in the park Photo: Stefanie Reska than the better-known mountain gorilla. IUCN lists the Cross River gorillas as The park is home to about one third las for sale in the city. Poachers and an­ “critically endangered”. In Cameroon, of the remaining mountain gorilla pop­ yone else breaking the law in the park an environmental education project is ulation. The other two thirds live in the can be tracked by the dogs over doz­ now tackling the root causes. Via Berg­ neighbouring countries Rwanda and ens of kilometres to the villages out­ gorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe, Wilhel­ Uganda – and of course the animals side the park even days afterwards – ma finances local educators who use also cross the borders, which are not just because of a discarded cartridge specially developed teaching materials their concern. The dog handlers work or a cigarette butt. The abilities of the and workshops lasting several days to tirelessly to protect the wildlife in this dogs appear unbelievable to the local educate school children who live in the troubled area. This is the most danger­ people and act as a deterrent. Over the range of the Cross River gorillas about ous national park in the world in which last 3 years, there has been only one the great apes. In this way, the “Great to work: during the last 10 years, 175 case of elephant poaching in the park Apes Education Program” shows chil­ park rangers have died in armed con­ and not a single gorilla has been killed dren and young people potential via­ flicts, mainly with rebel groups. Inter­ by poachers during this time. ble action to protect the animals (see mittently, oil companies put the very The dog squadron in Rumangabo, page 10). existence of the park at risk. Last but the headquarters of the Virunga Na­ All over the world, the challenges not least, the area faced an outbreak tional Park, is not the only place where that nature and species conservation of Ebola in 2018 which continues to be Wilhelma works in support of gorillas. face are enormous. On the ground, a problem in 2019. Several other projects in the region the situation can be sobering in many The problems often seem over­ have been supported via Berggorilla cases. However, with adequate effort whelming and the solutions are not & Regenwald Direkthilfe. Mount Tshia­ it is possible to save species from ex­ simple. However, the work of dogs and berimu, located on the western side of tinction and protect habitats from de­ rangers makes the situation in the park Lake Edward, is also part of the Virun­ struction. Wilhelma has successfully safer in many ways. The dog squadron ga National Park and is where the sec­ accepted this challenge – and thanks patrols forest areas, takes out snares ond subspecies of the eastern goril­ are due to the zoo visitors for showing and arrests people who illegally pro­ la, Grauer’s gorilla, can be seen. Here solidarity. duce charcoal in the habitat of the goril­ too, local projects are attempting to re­ Stefanie Reska

18 Gorilla Journal 59, December 2019 READING

David Johns as to how politics can embrace con­ (Cambridge University Press) 2018. Conservation Politics. The Last Anti- servation. The suggestions are rather 18 illustrations, 7 tables, 244 pages. Colonial Battle. Cambridge (Cambridge general, but the subject is very com­ Paperback £ 24.99, ISBN 978-1- University Press) 2019. 11 illustrations, plex and each case is different. He 31664756-1. Hardcover £ 57.99, ISBN 398 pages, Paperback £ 29.99, ISBN also describes the strategies used by 978-1-10719717-6 978-1-31664893-3. Hardcover £ 59.99, those who are opposed to conserva­ ISBN 978-1-10719958-3 tion. His message is that in order to Marc Languy The loss of biodiversity, the declin­ achieve their goals, conservation sci­ The Birds of Cameroon. Their Status ing numbers of wild animals and the entists have to engage more in poli­ and Distribution. Tervuren (Musée destruction of ecosystems is alarming. tics, they need to guide and persuade Royal de l'Afrique Centrale) 2019. Many governments ignore their own decision makers. An important tool in Studies in Afrotropical Zoology Vol. 299. laws and allow the exploitation and convincing others is to use a language 567 pages, about 500 colour photos, transformation of nature to ensure eco­ that they understand – which is often 954 distribution maps. Paperback, £ nomic growth. David Johns argues that not easy for scientists. Storytelling may 34.99. ISBN 978-949266958-2 this is exactly how colonialism works be a good way of getting a message https://www.nhbs.com/the-birds-of- and that conservation is an anti-colo­ across. cameroon-book?fbclid=IwAR3djXjR7v nial struggle. But the author does not stop here – s43ReysNs4isLC1goyoD8Jzgh9F1xu The author explains why conserva­ he advocates a change in our culture GNhD_Ap0xIhkUOXnjZ8 tion movements often fail to convince and politics towards eco-socialism. governments of their concerns – they However, the experience of Green par­ rely on science and good arguments (in ties in Europe has shown that changing New on the Internet their view). Their opponents mobilise politics in this way is very difficult. Nev­ many more supporters – because they ertheless, the book contains interesting UN Security Council are better able to convince them. To ideas and suggestions for developing Letter dated 6 June 2019 from the convince politicians, conservationists new (hopefully more successful) con­ Group of Experts on the Democratic need to become more political. Con­ servation strategies. Republic of the Congo addressed servation movements need to become Angela Meder to the President of the Security much stronger to mobilise the masses Council. June 2019. S/2019/469. 150 and must return to the grassroots. De­ Christophe Boesch and Roman pages. Download PDF (13 MB): https:// veloping and sticking to a strong long- Wittig (eds.) undocs.org/S/2019/469 term vision is essential. The Chimpanzees of the Taï Forest. Detailed explanations of how hu­ 40 Years of Research. Cambridge UN Security Council mans influence nature and why it is im­ (Cambridge University Press) 2019. United Nations Organization Stabi­ portant to fight against the continuing Hardcover, £ 79.99. ISBN 978-1- lization Mission in the Democratic loss of biodiversity are nothing new for 10848155-7 Republic of the Congo. Report of the people familiar with conservation, but Secretary-General. September 2019. Johns also gives valuable practical ad­ Alison M. Behie, Julie A. Teichroeb, S/2019/776. 17 pages. Download vice: he lists (and explains) the central Nicholas Malone PDF (703 kB): https://undocs.org/S/ questions that conservationists should Primate Research and Conservation 2019/776 ask themselves before planning a cam­ in the Anthropocene. Cambridge paign. As the author lives in the USA, (Cambridge University Press) 2019. Elizabeth Green, Louise McRae, the book focusses mainly on American 64 illustrations, 24 tables, 310 pages. Mike Harfoot, Samantha Hill, examples. This is also reflected in his Cambridge Studies in Biological and Will Simonson and Will Baldwin- suggestions for potential ally groups to Evolutionary Anthropology. Paperback Cantello link up with. Finding allies and working £ 34.99, ISBN 978-1-31661021- Below the Canopy. Plotting Glob­ together with them is one of his cen­ 3. Hardcover £ 64.99, ISBN 978-1- al Trends in Forest Wildlife Popula­ tral ideas to promote conservation; an­ 10715748-4 tions. 42 pages. Download PDF (3.35 other central idea is to learn from other MB): https://www.wwf.org.uk/sites/ movements. Adam Clark Arcadi default/files/2019-08/BelowTheCano Johns gives an overview of the prob­ Wild Chimpanzees. Social Behavior pyReport.pdf lems and provides many suggestions of an Endangered Species. Cambridge

19 Gorilla Journal 59, December 2019 BERGGORILLA & REGENWALD DIREKTHILFE

Our Donors From May to October 2019 we re­ ceived major donations by Marco and Lisa Arendt, Andreas Aschentrup, Fredrik Bakels, Emilio Garcia Barea, Katrin Baumann, Torsten Becker, Jo­ hanna Berger, Manuel Blatter, Heinz- Adolf Böckmann, Hartmut Brandt­ mann, Michael and Marie Buschmann, Buttwrap GmbH, Achim Christen and Rita Christen-Stuttgen, Axel Cle­ mens, Michael and Odile Datz, Chris­ ti­ne Dedert, Herbert Dehmel, Angeli­ ka Dickmann, Daniel Edler, Winfried Eisenberg, Caspar Florens v. Corns­ bruch, Jürgen Friedrich, Gorilla Gym Hamburg, Birgit Grimm, Dorothee Heu­ermann, Birgit Höfer, Gabriele Huck, Helga Innerhofer, Michael Jäh­ de and Angelika Jähde-Stoeckle, Vol­ ker Jährling, Susanne Jaros, Petra Kernberger, Engelbert Kinds, Helga Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe information for visitors of the “Late and Michael Lange, Mareike Laub, Zoo” in Hannover Ulrike Letschert, Isabella Löber, Jo­ Photo: Burkhard Bröcker achim Maier, Dieter Marten, Angela Meder, Hermann Meinhold, Michael Möhring, Klaus Nottmeyer, Brigitte Otte, Edith Otte, Hanna Otte, Karsten Otte, Ralph and Irina Otte, Manfred Paul, Monika Pöhler, Janos Rave, Birgit Reime, Ullrich and Barbara Richter, Wolfram Rietschel, Mithra Roßmann, Alfred Roszyk, Michael Rücker, Erika Rüge, Steffen Schatz, Volker Schiek, Dirk Seel, Michael Schmidt, Eberhard Schmucker jun., Stephanie Skolik, Spar­kasse Herford, Hartmut Stade, Mi­chaela Steinhauser, Norbert Stroh, Peter Stroh, Tiergarten Heidelberg, Tipp4, Horst and Margot Uhel, Florian von Rücker, Martin Von Vulte, Andreas Wiebe, Christof Wiedemair, Wilhelma, Martin Witte, Brigitte Wullert, Rebecca Zindler and Zoo Milwaukee. Karsten Otte, Volker Jährling and Norbert Stroh asked the guests of their Species conservation day at the Stuttgart Zoo with information material by birthday parties to donate to us instead Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe. We also presented gorilla drawings of bringing birthday gifts. that were coloured by children – interestingly, many adult used this We thank everybody who has been opportunity too. supporting us! Photos: Angela Meder

20 Gorilla Journal 59, December 2019