The Okapi Reserve

Category: Epulu, General, Ranger Patrols, Rangers | Date: May 18 2007 | By: admin

An Intelligence training was organizing in Epulu under the auspices of the UNESCO via Gilman International Conservation one of the Partner of ICCN/RFO. Paul Naish a citizen of

South Africa was the lecturer helped by the interpreter John Peter Bugogo. The COCOSI /RFO (Site Coordination Comity) met first with the team, this to introduce them to the Coordination team of the Reserve. In this context the Senior Warden Mr. Mapilanga asked Mr. Paul Naish to explain the framework of the course to the present comity.

Paul Naish talking with the RFO coordination comity

Mr.Mubalama Kakira from the General Direction of Kinshasa and Mr. Somba

comenting on the intelligence session

11 Rangers selected, and participated actively in the session and the result was good. “I’ve never seen an active class like this ….”Said Mr. Paul during the closing ceremony. English was the lecturing language with interpreting in French or Swahili respectively by JP Bugogo and Somba (one of the student)

One of the objectives of the course was to establish a network system in and around the Reserve. The course consisted of theory and practical work where by traveling to the nearest villagers and see what things are going on, especially on illegal activity…

One of the objectives of the course was to establish a network system in and around the Reserve. The course consisted to theory and practical work where by traveling to the nearest villagers and see how things are going on especially on illegal activity…

Paul briefing students before leaving the RFO station for the field

On February 2007, the senior Warden Mr. Mapilanga and his Deputy Warden Mr. Somba organized a mission around the Reserve with the aim of recruiting informers according to the criteria learned that means: where to recruit? who? how ?…. also the Management seized the opportunity to contact politics, customers and clergy authorities as stakeholders of the community. By this, I mean first sensitizing them for the wise use of Natural resource found in the Reserve, and exhort them to give the right message to the community, as the reserve deserves its durability. Some recent information was given to them as proof of threats that the reserve faces i.e birds are killed without reason, monkeys are always victims…

a bird killed by pygmies women at Dingbo Region

A suspended monkeys’snare in Wamba region

So far, we are already covering the 3/4 of the reserve by establishing intelligence network. We stress on intelligence as a backbone for a good conservation of a Park or Nature Reserve because the experience shows that the neighboring community is not the direct destructor or poacher of a protected area but they do undergo the exterior influence. I still remember Paul’s saying “You should send your informers out of the Park or reserve where pressure is coming, and organize operation accordingly. Not wait until the enemy enters in the room

Paul, Bugogo instructing student

An intelligence network is a tool that is used by the Manager; once you have necessary information on a sector, an operation cannot fail, and the result must be positive.

By the way, let me tell you that the tour we are organizing for a follow up of these informers’ costs. We propose to motivate informers monthly, buy fuel, accommodation, and so on.

In one word, intelligence network is very important in a protected area, but cash is needed.

from left : Somba,Mr. Malingane ( provincial ICCN

authority), Mr. Benoit KISUKI ( ICCN General Direction )and Mr. Mapilanga

The RFO Staff attended the party organized for the issue .I noticed the presence of Robbert Muir from FZS( rigth on picture )

Maman SALAMA , Marie Gaby,and Marceline in kitchen preparing food for the party

Fatu and Marie Gaby

Marie Gaby, and Fatuma ( cookers )

Somba

Technorati : congo, epulu, okapi, wildlifedirect