The Okapi Reserve

Category: Epulu, Ranger Patrols, Rangers | Date: Oct 07 2007 | By: admin

As the definition says, a patrol is to go round an area to check that is secure or safe and that there is no trouble. The Okapi wildlife Reserve with its 13,700 square kilometers is the second after

Salonga
National park
in DRCongo (36,000 square kilometers) in terms of area.

Rangers securing this beautiful Reserve which abounds some endemics species such us: Okapi, water chevrotain, aquatic genet… under different threats of armed poaching, uncontrolled agriculture, population immigration towards the reserve, illegal mining are less than 100, but it needs strategy to cover the total area in terms of patrolling.

Epulu rangers in parade

Before going out, the Monitoring and Anti poaching Unities always sit down and brief the team for the normal progression in the field, and once back the patrol leader and the secretary of the team have the obligation to debrief their patrol. Rangers in the field use some navigation equipments for example: compass, GPS, the reserve map,…and the management provide also the Satellite phone for communication ( Thuraya ), this allows the manager to be in permanent contact with the team and for any emergency.

patrol leaders during the debriefing

Somba trains rangers on communication with Satelite phone ( Thuraya )

Communication exercise

That is important for debriefing of a patrol, is to see how the team moves day per day, and permits other to be informed of the sector patrolled, and specially have a big picture of the region in terms of animal movement, plants, poaching activity,…..

By the way, the Okapi Wildlife Reserve monitoring team needs more equipment for the keeping of database (computer), GP, sleeping bag and compasses to improve its work.

Your donation is welcomed for the safeguarding of the naturals resources of the Reserve.

Somba

Technorati : congo, epulu., okapi. wildlifedirect

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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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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.

.

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

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Category: Ranger Patrols | Date: Apr 23 2007 | By: admin

The anti - poaching operation in my Reserve ended on July 2006. It consisted to fight poachers and sweeps all sectors uncontrolled for years because of the war in the surrounding region of the Reserve, and the second phase was to eject all illegal miners out of the Reserve. An operation order was signed by the high Military hierarchy of the Province. We shall be ungrateful to not let you know that this operation was sponsors by the emergency fund of UNESCO. Below the mixed contingent .

Mixed team : Rangers et militaries ready for operation.

I wonder what is the main reason that people are determined destroying ecosystem?? Is It poverty?, if so ; but it does not mean We are not supposed to respect the Law of the country.

At all, the result of the operation was fine while:

• fire arms confiscated ,
• A big quantity of bush meat confiscated and burnt
• poachers arrested were transferred to court at Bunia and condemned for more than 5 years,

AK47 confiscated

Bush meat confiscated and burnt

10 AK magazines with 300 amunition confiscated

I mentioned that the 2nd target of the mission was to see how to eject all miners out of the reserve, really It was serious because 90 % of those mining camps belonged to traditional chief, and They did not like to let go of this activity because It was their source of gaining money and survive. In order to protest this high decision , those chief prepared an anti campaign by intoxicating local community, and some pygmies of their jurisdiction and advanced them to fabric arrows which could be used to attack the contingent. Fortunately, We had disciplined guys, and they succeeded destabilizing those pygmies installed around mining camps.

One of the Responsible of illegal miners in the Reserve

Contingent burning Muchacha mining camp

poisoned arrows to attack rangers and militaries,macheties,and spades used to exploit gold

Gold mining activity in a protected area is totally forbidden by the conservation Law in DRCongo, but not easy to be understood.

After the mixed operation, an aerial survey was conducted inside the Reserve with the aim to discover any reopening mining, poachers camp,… and also for discovering some attractive site such us Inselberg in the North, Edo (saline) in the Center and South of the Reserve , this allows the management to plan pedestrian patrol,…. and boosting tourism in the Reserve, so this is the result of the exploration.

Edo Boea ( natural water point ): 3 forest buffalows , and 1 Bongo antilop observed

The Aketu North Inselberg

Letu river flows inside the rainforest of the Reserve

In summary, We would like to let you know that the task We are given is sometimes undermined by some people which their interest are directly touched , so our appeal is to wake up all conservationists to come in help ,and conserve together the nature of DRCongo in general, and in particular of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve.

Somba

Technorati : epulu, okapi. wildlifedirect

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Category: Epulu, General, Ranger Patrols, Rangers | Date: Apr 14 2007 | By: admin

I want to inform all of you that The Okapi WilDife Reserve is going through a critical period. Two Rangers have died in recent days one after the other.The Assistant Ranger at the reserve, Jean MUNDUELE MUNENE who was supervising the anti-poaching activities in the East and Northeast of the Reserve was suffering and had his treatment at Mambasa Hospital , near the reserve. Things did not go very well so he was transferred from Beni to University Clinic of Kinshasa (the capital city of DRCongo ). Unfortunately, on 4th March we received a message from the General Director of the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature announcing his death. Really it was very sad news.

A team of 5 rangers were deployed to patrol the Southeastern sector of the Reserve where illegal miners were ejected only one week ago. Once they arrived to the Base the patrol leader MOZANGADIKO decided to cross the Ituri river and check that the miners were not coming back. The leader came across a group of 8 irregular military men protecting illegal miners digging gold in Ituri river. The first armed contact started and Rangers succeeded in dispersing the illegitimate soldiers from their base.


from left to rigth: Masumbuko, Mozangadiko ( team leader ),

Gbondo, Selemani and the brave porter Mapoli

On 22nd of March, the Patrol leader conducted a patrol to an other sector called Masasa ( South East ) of the Reserve where again the team were fitgting against military poachers ( same group ). It was serious, and Mozanga won again by destabilizing those poachers, and the village was completely controled by him.

Once checking inside a house to ensure of security, one of the brave Ranger called KONGOLO alias Sadam did not know if an enemy is inside a house, unfortunately he entered and be shot and die.

Realy, the Reserve looses the brave ranger . It was his first patrol after fininshing his paramilary training on last February 2007

KONGOLO (on the rigth) during his paramilitary graduation ceremonyLet me tell you that we are facing a critical moment in DRCongo in terms of poaching in protected areas. The Government is still in a process of mixing soldiers from different rebels factions with regular military, but others are escaping and become poachers in the parks or reserves of our country.

So, we have to provide excellent training for our rangers for the protection of our ecosystem.

Your support in terms of buying patrol rations, first aid kits, fuel for patrols and other items are warmly welcomed.

Somba

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Category: Epulu, Ranger Patrols, Rangers | Date: Mar 22 2007 | By: admin

Rangers in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve are focusing today on protection operations in order to close and prevent any new illegal mining.

As Senior Warden I am dedicated to plan continuous operations in order to secure the biodiversity against any damage caused by illegal gold exploitation. Since continuous patrols are launched, vegetation in all the closed mining has soared.

Rangers patrol an old disused mine to ensure that there are no signs of human activity.

Every day,operations conducted in the southern sectors of the Okapi Wildlife reserve end by arresting some illegal miners who are transferred to Epulu for prosecution.

The illegal miners are being escorted to Epulu park station.

The strategic approach which is implemented to stop illegal mining includes: setting rotative bases where rangers are posted for at least 3 weeks and using Thuraya communication system (a satellite phone) to report back to the Headquater regarding any incident .

The Section Commander, Aussu Sukari, is pictured in the middle with Rangers around him. Sukari and his men were responsible for catching the illegal miners.

We are facing various dificulties to monitor disused mining in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve.Crossing some very huge rivers to reach a permanent base takes many days due to the fact we have to wait 2 or 3days until the river level drops. You can see this below in the photo which shows Rangers from the Penge patrol post with me (second in line) crossing the Ituri River.

Daily morning we are organising muster parade at the Headquarter to keep Ranger morale up. It plays a key role to maintain motivation and discipline among Ranger personnel. This is Somba, the Assistant Warden, addressing the Rangers.

JJ Mapilanga,co

Senior Warden of Okapi Wildlife Reserve/Ituri DRC

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