WELCOME TO EPULU STATION
Category: Epulu, General | Date: Nov 07 2007 | By: admin
WildlifeDirect, based in Mutsora station of North Virunga
National Park
started working with the Okapi Reserve some months ago on blogs. The aim of this partnership is to see how to promote conservation in the world by exchanging ideas through blogs with some friends of nature .
Samantha and Ephrem were pioneers reaching Epulu and installed Zoundry software in three computers, but today it is Virginia and Kizito for solving some technical problems.
Once arrived, Virginia and Kizito were welcomed by the Assistant warden of Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR) Mr. Somba.
from left to rigth: Mr. Kizito, Virginia and Somba
According to Virginia , she had a safe journey despite the impracticable road from Mangina to Mambasa. Both had ridden its motorbike. “We spent 10 hours from Mutsora to Mambasa (145km.),” said Virginia , and her first impression is to bewitched by the ecosystem of the reserve.
Virginia and Kizoto reaching Epulu Station.
So far, we still working with the Wildlife Direct members, and we trust to learn new skills from them, and improving our blogs.
Somba
Technorati : congo, okapi. wildlifedirect, wildlifedirect
WORKSHOP WITH TRADITIONAL CHIEFS IN MAMBASA, D.R.Congo
Category: Community Work, General | Date: Oct 16 2007 | By: admin
I am obliged to let you know about the workshop organized in Mambasa by the management of the Okapi wildlife Reserve (OWR) from 10th to 11th of October 2007. 7 traditional chiefs with their respective population representative, the Administration service of Mambasa territory, and the Reserve staff attended the workshop. The discussion was on “what mechanisms of dialogue/ concertation between local population and the Reserve managers?”
As listed on the world heritage site of UNESCO, the reserve has benefiting the Emergency funds which allows the management for the organization. We noticed the presence of the technical director of ICCN (Congolese Institute for nature conservation) Mr. Benoit KISUKI from
Kinshasa
who presented on “ICCN mission and implication of the local community in protected areas “, and played key role during discussion.
Adt Benoit Kisuki( in white shirt ) surrounding with the Reserve Officers in Epulu
Mr. Mapilanga, senior warden of the reserve also intervene on the subject:”Creation of the Reserve, natures of problems and local community preoccupation ” , and Mr. Ntumba , assistant of community Conservation programme in the Reserve discussed on ” The CPCL’s Programme “set up in the reserve on the year 1994- 1996. It was planned that one of the local chief should pass and talk in the name of his colleagues how was their appreciation on the CPCLs structure in terms of communication between population and the reserve, and he does not delay to illustrate some gaps from members who wanted to be transformed as rangers,….
Walese Karo chief talking
It is a pleasure to inform you that this Chief was among the 2006 laureates of Abraham price in DRCongo because of his leadership in defending conservation, and his positive attitude towards conservation of the reserve.
Mr. Mapilanga ( in blue shirt )during his expose
Groupphoto with all participants
At all, it was fine since the local chiefs had time to confirm their support to the wildlife of the reserve, and showed clearly their desire to become patterns of the conservation of the reserve. Some responsibilities were been defined during the workshop and I mean things will be interesting in future if one of the participants as stakeholder keep in mind the importance of the reserve and apply the new concept gained from the workshop.
Somba
Technorati : epulu, okapi, okapi. wildlifedirect
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THE LAST DAY OF MR. GUO Zanghfu
Category: General | Date: Oct 14 2007 | By: admin
In the year 1992, Mr. Jonathan one of the tourists visiting the Okapi Faunal Reserve landscape found the death in Epulu. According to his family and his wife who witnessed that they could not be convinced that Jonathan should die in such river because he was proclaimed as the first swimmer of the world… Himself with some tourists swimmer in Epulu, but he was taking away with the river. One year later, Miss Sandy from American who teaches the 2 daughters of Mr. John Hart lost her arm by crocodile. This means, the Epulu has many bad things: rocks, crocodile… cannot let someone to survive once drowned
As I wrote in my previous blog, the four national road crosses the Reserve, and is constructed by a Chinese Enterprise named SINOHYDRO CORPORATION. Chinese engineers work with Congolese citizen. One of the Chinese Engineer called Mr. GUO died in Epulu by suicide for reason which escaped all of us.
Four expeditions were organized for checking in the river by some fishermen, and in the long side of this. The manager of the Reserve facilitated the expedition by supporting the team with a ranger with a communication satellite phone this for knowing what is happen in deep forest.
Fisher men in traditional canoe searching the corpse
Epulu village Chief with the team in forest
Mozas communicating with the headquarter about the discovery of Mr.GUO corpse in Epulu
Really, it was a sad event in the village, and road workers were off for almost 5 days by missing Mr. Guo Zanghfu who was in charge of crushing stone.
During the security meeting, SINOHYDRO director, Somba and local community
Immediately, the Mambasa administrator, Security service and Police were informed and came in Epulu waiting for the memorial ceremony after a medical check.
The mambasa Administrator with the medical and the reserve staff waiting for the corps
The corpse was discovered after 19 days of searching in Epulu river
We still remember Mr. GUO, and pray the God of our ancestors to protect him with all bad things.
Somba
Technorati : epulu, okapi. wildlifedirect
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THE NATIONAL ROAD4 IN OKAPI WILDLIFE RESERVE
Category: General | Date: Oct 07 2007 | By: admin
The Epulu Station of capture and breeding okapis welcomed a delegation from
Kinshasa
on 2nd of august, 2007 conducted by Mr. Tobie CHALONDAWA the UCOP Operation Director. The UCOP means Projects Coordination Unity in DRCongo which works under The Plans Ministry. We were prevented to invite the local authorities where Mr. KEBE ABDALLAH (Mambasa Administrator) attended also the meeting in Epulu.
Meeting with the delegation of WorldBank in Epulu
The main reason to invite people, and other community was to inform clearly the audience about the road resumption activity which was suspended by the World Bank (the sponsor) on 22nd of March, 2007.
Mr. Mapilanga acting as the senior Warden of the Okapi Faunal Reserve surrounding with all ICCN partners was glad to welcome the message from the delegation.
UCOP, SINOHYDRO, and OKAPI WILDLIFE RESERVE Staffs in Epulu
Let me remember you that there was many speculation about the World Bank decision of 22nd August,2007.Some people thought that the Reserve staffs was the one who did not like the road progression towards NiaNia,…. but they deserved to be edified more and understand that the Reserve management does not be the one to stop the road progression activity unless the World Bank which sponsors also conservation in some place in the world, and should not accept to be in contradiction with conservation rules.
Really, the meeting was hot, but it was finished in peace.
Somba
Technorati : congo, epulu., okapi. wildlifedirect
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Meeting with Virginia of Wildlfedirect in Beni
Category: General | Date: Oct 06 2007 | By: admin
The Wildlife Direct which is a no- profit Organization based in
North
Virunga
National Park
(Mutsora Station ) DRCongo, is the one which deals with fund rising through blog. They have initiated rangers for bloging in different subjects such as: Rangers activity in the field, general, activity, Community work, the idea itself is positive in terms of exchanging news from a side to other in the conservation ground. The Management of Wildlife Direct through necessary to interest Okapi Wildlife Reserve for the same issue and Rangers from this Nature reserve is able to post some blog.
from left to right: Senior Warden Mapilanga, GIC Director Rosy Ruf, Ass. Warden Somba
Two months ago, we had a technical problems with the Zoundry software, and We were incapable to post , so this is the reason why our readers did not read us in the net.
Many emails between Samantha (Communication Director),
Virginia
were exchanged with the Okapi Reserve Staffs for solving this problem. In fact, the zoundry software which permit someone to write down his blog offline, is fortunately reset in Beni by
Virginia
one of the wildlife Direct members.
In the name of Okapi Faunal Reserve manager, I particularly thank very much
Virginia
for her disponibility to meet us for the issue.
Miss.
Virginia
with Somba solving the Zoundry software problem
in
Beni
Somba
Technorati : congo, epulu., okapi. wildlifedirect
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MY LAST TRIP TO BENI
Category: General | Date: Sep 30 2007 | By: admin
I seize this time to share with my readers my travel to
Beni
. Beni is the nearest town of
Okapi Reserve
where most of the patrol ration is always purchased. My last trip was for relaxing after a long period to the bush.
Taking this occasion, I assisted to a religious debate between Christian and Muslim. It was very good planned and the discussion concerned the holly Koran versus Bible. The Christian priest had to demonstrate Muslim that the prophet Mohamed is not a savor but Jesus Christ. The Muslim Priest did not accept, but informed all Christian openly that this is a kind of blanspherim, Muhamad is the last Prophet, and the one who brougth the Koran for teaching the good way towards god.
Muslim Priest demonstrates that Jesus Christ is known in islam
Belivers from Islam and christian were happy hearing the evangelisation, and each has to choose who to become for saveguarding his life.
The debate took three days and the ending ceremony was closed by the Beni town chairman Mr. Jules MUNGWANA KAHONGYA.
. 
Technorati : congo, epulu, okapi, wildlifedirect
Monitoring in the ejected mining camps
Category: Epulu, General, Rangers | Date: Jun 25 2007 | By: admin
In order to keep secure the zone invaded by illegal miners in the Okapi Reserve, some temporary bases were established especially in the West, South-West of the Reserve with the aim of maintening patrols around the region. A temporary base (TB) is a camp where Rangers are not affected permanently but for a period of 20 days, and then shift by another team or group of Rangers. Some important reasons explain the issue. We do not like for a Ranger to be familiar with people (miners) around the region for any attempt of corruption, living far away from his family can affect his work, … so he is there for a period of time, …
We are facing many difficulties to feed the team working in the base. Crossing big rivers into traditional canoes, paying porters from the headquarter to the Patrol Post (80 km.), from the Patrol Post we are supposed to organize other Porters to reach the team in deep forest spending 3 days walking with patrol rations on our backs.
In fact, the Epulu Rangers deserve motivation. Ready for patroling without complaining. Could you imagine all risks when crossing the Ngayu river: crocodiles, snakes…but the guys are ready to protect the Okapi Wildlife Reserve. By the way, let me tell you some positive information:The Reserve is controlled in 93% (this means regular patrols are deployed all over)
- The animal dungs are discovered even in the former red zone of poachers
- Braconniers are arrested and transferred in court and condemned, …
By the law, hunting with an arrow or spear is not forbidden in a Reserve because it is an open method than metal snare which can catch any specie. the hard work is to let population know that he should select unprotected specie for his subsistance. Below, a villager apprehended with a monkey.
Rangers patrolling in different sectors witness that many animals are victims: some of them catch in snares, others died in natural conditions, …
It is our obligation to let you know that maintaining the natural resource of the Okapi reserve depends on your devotion in terms of donation, advance, etc, so your support is needed for safeguarding this paradise of okapis and pygmies.
Conservation vs Youthfulness
Category: Community Work, Epulu, General | Date: Jun 12 2007 | By: admin
By MAN for MAN is the new concept for conservationists. Last time conservation had its strict philosophy, that means “integral conservation ‘’, and local population was not associated for any activity of the Park, but in this century, man remains in the center of conservation. Let me tell you that, especially in Epulu, we start involve community for the management of the reserve; this means the Manager needs input from the community.
The zoning of agricultural, hunting zones continue in some sectors of the Reserve ( Molokay, Epulu, Bandisende , Seti ,…) where community plays key role in the field
The tradition chief sensitizes community about the zoning meaning
Boundary marker of the agricultural zone
Currently, we are trying to conciliate conservation with the normal live of boys and ladies in the Reserve otherwise to see how to pass the conservation message through the football, theatre activities. Sincerely obliges to let you know that the Environmental Education Program of the Reserve which is running by Mr. Marcel Enckoto of Gilman International conservation, Inc is in charge of these activities, and so far I underline as a good way to occupy young men. What he is doing is to buy jersey, balls, soccer boot … With the support of leisure and sport service of Mambasa, football competitions are organized and players from Epulu go to Mambasa, Salate, Banana … The last football match was organized 3 weeks ago (ladies from Epulu against those from Mambasa) and the score was draw, but it was fantastic to see it. The boys from Epulu also played, and 27 minutes later Epulu succeeded to score the first goal, and I can see how people were happy.
Epulu team supported by GIC via Education Program
Both Piloli team from Mambasa and Okapi sport team of Epulu on the ground at Epulu
The DRCongo new Constitution obliges equity gender, so the reserve is also planning to rally ladies around football, and an improvement is seeing. The first match was played against those from Salate village, and Epulu won the game. Mr. Marcel decided 3 weeks ago to select players from Epulu and Salate for a big match against ladies Mambasa’s team.
Mr. Kabala and Marcel advancing players.
Players’ team of Mambasa
Players from Epulu
After the friendly soccer match : a remembering snap
At all, we realize that conserving an ecosystem does not mean a useful of fire arm, but such idea of occupying a group of people can work. The main preoccupation is to not forget your objective, this means organizing meetings and talk about the importance of nature for future generation…
Somba
In Memorial of my Mum SALAMA ZUENA
Category: General | Date: May 22 2007 | By: admin
She was born in Mambasa on 1945, and married to Mr. DJAFARI MWENDENDA during the colonial period in DRCongo. Mother of 8 kids whose: 4 boys and 4 daughters. I am the 4th born. Her husband passed away since 1988 and buried in Mambasa town. Mum Salama did her best to support school fees until 4 of us succeeded to graduate.
Mum SALAMA ZUENA : 3 Months before her sickness
What remains engraved in my heart is only her devotion to take care of her grandsons (25) during her life. She could not eat a banana without a little bit to the opportunist grandson, African as she was, is not dieing but going somewhere with all benediction
Mum Salama in hospital
She was suffering from chickenpox for almost 3 weeks. The treatment of this sickness was well but 2 weeks later she got weak and weak, and then died in Mambasa hospital around 4:00pm of 8th May, 2007.
The funeral took place on 9th of May, 2007 and I was not around. She was Muslim, and only her church brothers could bury her in our native locality Bavalakaniki. The Muslim doctrine does not allow woman accompanies a late to the graveyard reason why only men surround the coffin.
Faithful muslim surround the coffin
Women stand by under tree regreating the death
Grrandchildren crying their groundmother
After the burying ceremony, I was arriving from Wamba (North sector of the Reserve) and went to see the grave. It was not easy to me understanding the situation, pure for my young brother studying in Kisangani University who did not assist until know to the ceremony.
Somba in front of the grave.
The Islam culture advances that 3 days later, people can meet and read the holy Koran for the late. So, we organize it on 13th of May, 2007 and divide up the food prepared accordingly.
Cooking time of beaf meat, beans , rice ……
Grandchildren busy eating.
Atmosphere after the ceremony
Somba thinking about the death of his Mum….
After all, I remained thinking particularly to those grandsons left by my big brother who again passed away on 2000, and were in full responsibility of this late woman .Any way, I shoulder this heavy responsibility.
My last wish is to see again my Mum if possible, if no …I exhort the God of my ancestors to keep in peace her heart.
Somba
Technorati : congo, epulu, okapi. wildlifedirect
INTELLIGENCE : BACKBONE OF A PROTECTED AREA; CASE OF OKAPI WILDLIFE 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
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