Research on Gorillas and Chimpanzees in Kahuzi-Biega

Our research in the park concentrates on primates and especially on the ecology of chimpanzees and gorillas. In this, we cooperate with the CRSN (Centre de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles) in Lwiro, the IZCN/ICCN and the Kyoto University. Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe has been supporting this research since July 1995.
Four trackers and one ranger are working in Kasirusiru, following gorillas and chimpanzees. In Tshivanga, one tracker and one guide monitor six transects along the Bukavu-Kisangani road and one botanical transect in Kasirusiru. In Tshibati (the site established by the CRSN and the Kyoto University), four trackers follow the gorillas and chimpanzees.

In Situ Research

In October 1996, we had to interrupt our work because of the war. By mid-January 1997, we were able to resume our field work intermittently, with the approval of the new authorities, and by mid-February we resumed it on a regular basis. The two gorilla groups are slowly getting habituated to humans - currently, they can be approached within 15-20 m. In contrast, the habituation of chimpanzees is more difficult. However, we follow the apes on an almost daily basis and monitor their use of different biotopes. Fresh gorilla and chimpanzee tracks are marked on a map.
Gorillas often stay in clearings created by elephants that are uprooting trees, because there the gorillas' preferred food plants grow. Chimpanzee groups split into small parties while searching for fruiting trees. However, several parties of one community may meet up in some trees, especially in trees with ripe figs. These daily observations are complemented by the analysis of faecal samples in the primatological laboratory of the CRSN. We should soon be able to show some preliminary results.
We cut transects to determine the density of trees with fruits that are eaten by apes. This research has been running since November 1994 and we are currently preparing the data for a publication.

Impact of the Road

This research was conducted to determine the possible impact of the expansion of the road between Bukavu and Kisangani on the national park. The study started in October 1993 and ended in October 1996 when the war broke out. The main targets of the study were gorillas and elephants. According to a survey done by WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society), there was a particularly high elephant density in the old part of the park before the war.
The analysis of the data is almost completed. We found that gorillas and elephants cross the road in both directions in various habitats. We found traces of their activities even right next to the road. This means that the road is no barrier for these two species and does not influence their activities.
However, a great risk to the animals is apparent from these findings. If traffic on the road is not controlled and therefore increases, there might be an increased risk of accidents and the animals' freedom of movement might be restricted. We had intended to complement these results with the census of traffic in Tshivanga; unfortunately, most of the data were destroyed during the war.

Other Research Activities

WCS, IZCN, CRSN and the Kyoto University conducted a joint survey of big mammals in the old part of the park from 18 May to 25 July 1996. Within the comprehensive survey of Gorilla gorilla graueri, one goal of this joint survey was to estimate the number of gorillas and to compare it with earlier surveys. Another aim was to determine the extent of utilisation of different habitats. In addition, signs of elephants, chimpanzees, monkeys, duikers, forest hogs and carnivores were noted. Another important subject was the impact of humans on the populations of these animals. The number of gorillas was estimated to be 247, which is approximately what had been found in earlier surveys (1978/1979: 223-258; 1990: 258). They were living in 25 groups with 2-24 animals per group. In addition, there are two solitary silverback males.
After the destruction of large forest areas in the corridor between the two parts of the park in 1995, the elephants could not leave the old part of the park any more and raided the fields in the border zone of the park more frequently. To find a solution for this problem, the Cameroonian expert Martin Tchamba analyzed the conflict between elephants and humans. He made various suggestions on how to prevent elephants from raiding the fields and on how to support the human population.

Outlook

We suggest that the following studies be conducted in the future:

• Utilization of bamboo and the impact that a disease which kills the bamboo may have on gorillas and the park in general. This research would also be important for chimpanzees and elephants, two species that consume lots of bamboo as well.
• Monitoring (visits at regular intervals) of various key species. This study should run for at least 5 years. The involvement of local employees could decrease the costs considerably and increase the quantity of collected data.

As the national park's fauna and flora have been damaged considerably since last autumn, we need to reconsider our priorities. We are hoping to continue our activities in spite of the difficult situation. The staff are very motivated, especially because they are paid regularly and because they receive the necessary equipment. Of course, the equipment has to be replaced regularly, too, but Mbake Sivha has been able to purchase some high-quality equipment for the team's field work during her stay in Germany.

Mbake Sivha

Mbake Sivha told us on 9 June that her team had no more been able to visit the gorilla group that they used to observe for more than a month. The group has moved to the center of the forest, and the ICCN employees are not allowed to go into the forest because of the militia who are still hiding there.

Mbake Sivha studied biology at the University of Kisangani, Zaire, and worked in the IZCN/GTZ conservation project at Kahuzi-Biega National Park. She then specialized at Würzburg University, Germany, in animal ecology, biology of the tropics and sensitisation of the population for environmental problems. From 1994 to 1999 she worked in the IZCN/GTZ project in sensitization and primate research. After joining the IGCP for some years, she is now working for FFI.

Kahuzi-Biega overview

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