The Groups Mufanzala and Birindwa after the Death of their Silverbacks
After the death of the two silverbacks of these gorilla groups on March
26th and May 30th 2009, respectively, several friends of the gorillas
of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP) expressed interest in knowing
how these groups have been doing since they lost their leading males.
While Mufanzala died from a liver abscess, Birindwa seemingly died of
old age: his autopsy did not indicate any disease.
Members of gorilla groups transfer to other groups either during the interaction
of two males, when the weaker silverback may lose members of his group
to the stronger male, or after the death of a silverback. In this case,
the leaderless group is fragile and is susceptible to splitting up when
they come into contact with another group, be it habituated or un-habituated.
In the case of Mufanzala, the team of guides and trackers continues to
follow the now leaderless group, which continues to range through the
same forest sectors as during the time when their silverback was still
with them. A young silverback is trying to keep the group together, despite
the fact that a number of females tend to split off for a duration of
3 or 4 days at a time.
As far as the Birindwa group is concerned, a young silverback joined the
group after the death of Birindwa. He now seems to have taken charge of
the females. However, even those group members who had begun to tolerate
the presence of humans a few months ago no longer do so because the new
male does not tolerate people's presence. During contacts with guides
and trackers he charges and drives the females into vegetation cover to
hide.
The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is making efforts
to pacify the region and to stimulate the economy of Kivu Province. As
part of this process, the Kahuzi-Biega National Park is preparing to participate
in the economic upturn through the development and promotion of responsible
tourism. With this in mind, the park approached the political, administrative
and traditional authorities - as well as all those responsible for state
services - to Tshivanga on the occasion of International Tourism Day (which
is celebrated on September 27th each year). The authorities were invited
to visit the different tourism attractions and experience the wonders
of Kahuzi-Biega. The attendance of Jean Claude Kibala, Vice Governor of
the Province and the head of the delegation, encouraged the park authorities
and rangers, as did his promises to spare no effort to persecute any persons
violating the territory of the park.
The objective of this event was not only to show the decision-makers the
wonders of the park but also to appeal to their conscience, such that
they adopt a positive attitude towards the protection of their heritage.
It also serves to raise awareness of the fact that tourism is an income-generating
industry invaluable for the reconstruction and the development of the
Democratic Republic of the Congo in general, and Kivu Province in particular.
Their involvement in the conservation of the KBNP is an absolute requirement
for this. The event was also an appropriate opportunity for the unveiling
of the statue that the park managers have erected at the park entrance
on the occasion of the International Year of the Gorilla.
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Unveiling of the statue with the Vice Governor of South Kivu, Jean Claude Kibala (4th from left) Photo: Radar Nishuli/Kahuzi-Biega National Park |
Radar Birhashirwa Nishuli
We are very grateful to all the people who assist us in the protection of the gorillas and their habitat in the Kahuzi-Biega National Park, whether they do so from near or from afar.
Radar Birhashirwa Nishuli has been working in the Kahuzi-Biega National Park since 1985. He was the Head of the Environmental Education Unit and is now Provincial Director and responsible for the Kahuzi-Biega National Park.