Situation in Kahuzi-Biega
A slaughter of large mammals in the Kahuzi-Biega National Park was recorded
during 1999 (articles by C. Shalukoma and J.
Yamagiwa). Meanwhile, the ICCN/GTZ project (ICCN: Institut Congolais
pour la Conservation de la Nature, GTZ: Gesellschaft für technische
Zusammenarbeit) for the conservation of this park has successfully
reduced poaching. In January 2000, 3 more gorillas were killed (their
hands and heads were cut off), but since then no gorilla poaching has
been recorded.
Although the situation in Kahuzi-Biega is evolving in a positive way,
consistent rumours report the presence of several gorilla babies in Bukavu
town. This is extremely worrysome, since poachers usually have to kill
several gorillas to capture the infant. In 1999, 13 gorillas of the habituated
family of Mugoli composed of 19 individuals were killed in this way. This
situation is so worrysome that we are considering whether to stop habituating
new gorilla families to tourism, as we fear this makes them more vulnarable
to poaching.
The gorillas in the old part of the park were counted in 1996; at that
time their number was 245-270. In February 2000, only 70 gorillas were
recorded. We hope the inventory starting in July will find some more families
(more recent numbers here). In 1996, the number
of elephants in that area had been about 350 and at the beginning of 2000,
only traces of 5 individuals were found. The vegetation has changed markedly
in the meantime as the elephants are missing: The plants grow much denser
now and the elephant paths that were also used by other animals do not
exist any more. The following text is a summary of the ICCN/GTZ conservation
project's report for May 2000.
Many of the problems that have handicapped the management of the national
park for more than 3 years were solved in May 2000. But the major problem
still remains: 95% of the park is not controlled by the park authority.
The guards now have permission to wear uniforms with the logo of the ICCN
and the inscription "gardes du parc" (Park Ranger). Thanks to
these uniforms, they can no longer be confused with the fighters of different
warring factions. Of 100 complete uniforms financed by UNESCO, 77 were
distributed to the guards and leading staff. Before receiving these uniforms,
64 guards and 5 leading staff were trained in paramilitary techniques.
The new uniforms and the training helped to boost morale of the guards.
This morale was reinforced furthermore on 19 May, when the administration
handed over 9 functional arms to the Tshivanga station and promised that
the arms recovered by the guards during their habitual work will become
property of the park.
At the same moment, we were authorized to control passing vehicles at
the roadblock in Tshivanga. As before 1996, all passing vehicles and their
cargo are checked again by rangers, making it more difficult for dealers
in park resources to transport their loot along the Bukavu-Kisangani road.
Another breakthrough was achieved when the governor of South Kivu province
declared void 11 provisional occupation contracts in the corridor, totalling
1,200 ha. With this intervention, we hope that the problem of large-scale
farmers illegally occupying the corridor of the park in complicity with
certain state services has finally begun to be resolved. This is applauded
by large parts of the population, who were concerned that the park would
be totally destructed by a few rich people with the acknowledgment of
the administration.
Many people have been displaced by fighting from the western to the eastern
side of the park. Such population movements pose a direct threat to the
park, since the safer areas the people flee to are extremely densely populated
(over 300 people/km²). The areas deserted by them are occupied by
warring groups that use the park's resources for food. Currently, we observe
that at least 50% of 35,000 displaced people we recorded in the eastern
villages have regained their original villages. They now urgently need
food aid and assistance, otherwise they may be forced to use the park's
resources for their survival.
No gorilla deaths were recorded during the months February to May. A new
family was discovered with 5 individuals; the number of gorillas is now
exactly 70. We collected a trap with a cut off gorilla hand. The handicapped
gorilla was not observed. We continue to see 5 elephant traces. In collaboration
with WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society), a census is scheduled
from July onwards, to survey the current status of large mammals - especially
gorillas and elephants - in the highland sector.
More than 90% of the park remains out of control of ICCN and is occupied
by different armed factions. They are exploiting minerals and other resources.
Bushmeat is the major food source for the estimated 2,500 persons installed
in mining sites within the park. The work of the rangers will remain complicated
because they will go against vested interests. The only way to recover
the rest of the park would be to demilitarize the whole park and surroundings,
including the major airstrips that are used to evacuate the minerals.
Photo: Carlos Schuler
Former poachers who are now working for the park