Bushmeat Poaching and the Conservation Crisis in Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Author(s):  
Juichi Yamagiwa
2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Mampeta Wabasa Salomon

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the protectionist conservatism influenced by colonialism, which exploited African countries for the prosperity of the colonizing countries, still has a high visibility in the Salonga National Park (PNS). If, in theory, the Central Africans seem to free themselves from the colonial powers on their land, in practice they are still there. The hostility of settlers who have become neo-colonists to the development of Central Africa remains intact, he adds (Ndinga, 2003). This reflects a "logic from above" that has disregarded local values. Yet, in the era of sustainable development and globalization, African protected areas appear to be essential tools for States to reposition themselves in a complex set of actors with the aim of capturing and using the new environmental rent (Giraut, Guyot, & Houssay-Holzschuch, 2003). This is a "bottom-up logic", placing people at the heart of all activities and aiming to reorganize their long-term relationships with the environment. From these two logics, a third "logic from the other side" emerges, reflecting a collective awareness of the fragility of the planet. The restoration of the rights of Africans in the various national frameworks constitutes a major challenge for the contemporary management of African protected areas. Because the protected areas inherited from the different colonial systems must accompany the change in management methods and the redefinition of their functions in order to better serve the local community in the long-term.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean M Lee ◽  
L. J. Sutherland ◽  
Barbara Fruth ◽  
Carson M. Murray ◽  
Elizabeth V. Lonsdorf ◽  
...  

Existing data on bonobo and chimpanzee dental eruption timing are derived predominantly from captive individuals or deceased wild individuals. However, recent advances in noninvasive photographic monitoring of living, wild apes have greatly expanded our knowledge of chimpanzee dental eruption in relatively healthy individuals under naturalistic conditions. We employ similar methods to expand on this knowledge by reporting deciduous dental eruption ages in living, wild bonobos and chimpanzees from LuiKotale, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Gombe National Park, Tanzania, respectively. Deciduous dental eruption ages in our sample generally fall within the range of variation previously documented for captive chimpanzees. We also found substantial variation in deciduous canine eruption timing, particularly among bonobos. One bonobo had a deciduous canine present by 227 days old while another did not have a deciduous canine present at 477 days old. As more data accumulate from these populations, future studies should consider sources of variation in deciduous canine eruption timing and relationships with other aspects of life history.


Oryx ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Daniel Alempijevic ◽  
John A. Hart ◽  
Terese B. Hart ◽  
Kate M. Detwiler

Abstract The Endangered dryas monkey Cercopithecus dryas, endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is one of Africa's most enigmatic primates. The discovery of a dryas monkey killed by a hunter in the buffer zone of Lomami National Park in 2014 prompted field research on the species’ distribution, habitat use and stratum preference. We used local knowledge to determine the distribution of this species and to select sites for camera-trap surveys in Lomami National Park and its buffer zone. We employed a multi-strata (0–29 m) camera-trap placement technique to determine habitat use at Camp Bartho in Lomami National Park and Bafundo Forest in the Park's buffer zone. We confirmed the occurrence of the dryas monkey at seven locations over a total area of 3,453 km2, in both the Park and its buffer zone. Dryas monkeys were detected most frequently (2.22 events/100 trap-days) in disturbed areas of Bafundo Forest and less in mature forest in Camp Bartho (0.82 events/100 trap-days). Dryas monkeys appear to prefer structurally complex understories and forest edges. We found that camera traps at 2–10 m above ground over at least 365 trap-days are required to determine if the species is present. We recommend utilizing local knowledge and using this species-specific camera-trap method in other areas of the central Congo basin to determine the wider distribution of the dryas monkey.


Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5067 (3) ◽  
pp. 417-428
Author(s):  
ALEXEY M. PROZOROV ◽  
TATIANA A. PROZOROVA ◽  
JEAN JOSEPH MAPILANGA ◽  
AXEL HAUSMANN ◽  
GÜNTER C. MÜLLER ◽  
...  

The second species of the genus Typhonoya Prozorov 2011—T. kravchenkoi Prozorov, Müller & Zolotuhin sp. n. from the Democratic Republic of the Congo is described. A previously monotypic genus becomes bitypic. One paratype specimen was collected in the buffer zone of the southern part of the Salonga National Park during a one year-long stationary expedition (June 2017–June 2018). Spread imagoes, heads, legs, venations and genitalia of both species are figured and compared. Additional notes on the genus description and previously known species are added.  


2015 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Hildebrand ◽  
Eric E. Pulis ◽  
Vasyl. V. Tkach

AbstractLyperosomum sarothrurae Baer, 1959 is a rare dicrocoeliid described based on a single specimen from Belgian Congo, now Democratic Republic of the Congo, and never reported again. The original description lacked several important details of the species morphology. This work provides morphological redescription of Lyp. sarothrurae based on specimens from Kibale National Park, Uganda which is about 200 kilometres from the type locality. Results of re-examination of the holotype are also provided. Morphology of Lyp. sarothrurae shows some characteristics intermediate between those of the species rich genus Lyperosomum Looss, 1899 and Megacetabulum Oshmarin, 1964 that includes only 3 species. Due to the lack of clear morphological differences between the two genera, Megacetabulum is considered here as a junior synonym of Lyperosomum. Molecular phylogenetic analysis including Lyp. sarothrurae and all currently available partial sequences of the nuclear ribosomal 28S RNA gene of dicrocoeliid species is also included and its results are discussed


Oryx ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigue Batumike ◽  
Gerard Imani ◽  
Christian Urom ◽  
Aida Cuni-Sanchez

Abstract For most of the Democratic Republic of the Congo quantitative data on bushmeat exploitation are scarce. We conducted focus group discussions on preferred species for household consumption and income generation in 24 villages around Lomami National Park, created in 2016. We also carried out a bushmeat market survey in Kindu, a major town in the study area, to estimate annual sales volumes and retail values. Villagers reported household consumption of 22 mammal species, with the most important being the African brush-tailed porcupine, Peters's duiker, bay duiker and red river hog. The latter three were also the most important for income generation. A greater number of smaller species were consumed at the household level, compared with those traded. A total of 17 mammal and one reptile species were traded in Kindu. Those traded in greater numbers were the African brush-tailed porcupine, blue and bay duiker, red river hog, red-tailed monkey and the sitatunga. We estimated > 40,000 carcasses were traded in Kindu annually, with a retail value of USD 725,000. Several species of conservation concern, such as the bonobo, were mentioned or observed. Few rodents and numerous large animals were traded in Kindu, suggesting resources have not yet been depleted. However, both villagers and urban vendors perceived a decline of many species and reported an increase in the use of firearms and the number of foreign hunters in the area. Among other interventions, we discuss how local communities could be encouraged to help preserve wildlife in the Park's buffer zone.


Oryx ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 460-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Spira ◽  
Andrew E. Kirkby ◽  
Andrew J. Plumptre

AbstractRangers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are working to conserve some of the largest remaining blocks of tropical rainforest, along with iconic species that are being targeted by poachers for subsistence or commercial purposes. During 2015–2016 we surveyed 72% of Kahuzi–Biega National Park rangers to assess their level of job satisfaction, why they chose to become rangers, what they liked and disliked about their job, and what affected their motivation to conduct their work. We used a cumulative link model to assess how various factors affected their self-reported level of job satisfaction. The rangers surveyed had been working in the Park for 16 years on average and most chose this occupation to earn a salary, to conserve wildlife or to serve their country. Overall, ranger job satisfaction was low; however, our findings highlight numerous ways in which this could be improved. These include higher salaries, more promotion opportunities, better recognition from the Congolese wildlife authority and other state services, positive performance incentives, better security, improved living conditions in remote patrol posts, and more support from the judicial system. Ranger patrol assignment (i.e. type of patrol and Park sector to patrol), receiving free housing at the Park headquarters, age, and length of service were statistically significant predictors of job satisfaction. It is likely that increasing ranger job satisfaction would result in a higher commitment to protecting wildlife, improved performance, and positive outcomes for wildlife conservation.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document