The Okapi Reserve

Category: Ranger Patrols | Date: May 07 2007 | By: admin

The reserve was created for the protection of fauna and flora of the Ituri forest, by targeting the endemic specie of the animal OKAPI where scientists discovered a concentration of about 5,000. This is the reason why the Government of Kinshasa decided since 2nd of May, 1992 the creation by Ministerial law of the Reserve. Are you aware that this protected area is listed since 1997 on the red list of UNESCO? Really, it is because of all threats (illegal mining, uncontrolled agriculture, intensive hunting, poaching,… )

Do you remember that I mentioned in one of my blog posts that there is a total of 83 Rangers fighting for safeguarding the integrity of the Reserve. The calculation demonstrates that each Ranger has an space of 165,06 square kilometers to control himself.

Former ICCN ADG Mme Eulalie BASHIGE on parade with Rangers

So far, we have already established 6 permanent patrol posts such us : Zunguluka, Bukulani, Molokay, Adusa, Epulu ( H.Q ) and Nzaro where Rangers live together with their respective families. We also created 3 Temporary Bases where a team of 5 to 6 rangers are based for 20 days (Babesua, Esui yo Wapi and Penge).

S/O SIRA,at Babesua Temporary base

( Adusa PP not yet achieved )

The experience shows that operating in a small team is tactically more advanced than in a big team where the section Commander can loose control of his elements.

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Chief Brigadier KONGAWI with his team

From the Headquarters, 3 Rangers are selected to meet 2 of their colleagues based either to Adusa Patrol Post ( West of the Reserve ) for deploying together in a team of 5 to shift the team after 20 days to the Temporary Base. They always spend 7 days riding bicycles from H.Q to Adusa (80 km), and then walking in jungle with almost 15 kgs in bags, and crossing the river Ngayu.

From the nearest community, we have to select 4 porters for carrying patrol rations, and we pay them accordingly ($ 70,00 per month / per temporary base).

4 porters selected in the community

Once reaching the Base, the section Commander begins deploying patrols for several days by targeting sensitive sectors according to the information received.

In fact, I am obliged to witness that missing his family for 20 days is not easy for a father of Kids, but ….. otherwise, we try to motivate these Rangers in a different way: regular payment of their Bonus, simplifying their journey by driving them to the patrol entrance, buying new uniform for them, patrol equipment. The team living in a permanent Patrol Post also lives in a good house,…..

Adusa Patrol Post in construction

In conclusion, regular inspection visit by Officers of different Positions is important in terms of keeping high the moral of personal, and for a real follow up.

Somba during inspection at West sector

Technorati : congo, epulu, okapi, wildlifedirect