OBITUARY
Category: Rangers | Date: Jan 14 2008 | By: admin
Born in Kindu ( Maniema Province ) on 27th of July 1974, field ranger Rashid Feruzi who joined conservation field on the year 2004 passed away only yesterday after a long sickness in Okapi
health center . I and the Commander Apamolo were out inspecting rangers in West sector of the Reserve. A phone call from Officer Amboya who supervising activity announcing the drama. It’s sad.
Otherwise, the late was married to Jeanette ,father of one boy.
In red blouse,widow Jeannet
During his 3 years working in Okapi faunal Reserve, he was selected among the brave rangers, and each year he was given a special performance accordingly. The late RASHID nicknamed “EKINI” because of his enthusiasm and devotion in football, played as defender exactly on right side. All Okapi team players’ regret this death…
The Reserve is very huge and covers 13,000 square kilometers patrolling only by 63 brave rangers. The calculation demonstrates that each ranger controls 206,3 sq kilometers, but from today we have to share the part controlled by the late to each of us. Really, It is a minus… We shall not forget Mr. Rashid and his effort made for the integrity of the Reserve.
Funeral should take place on 13th of January, 2008 in Epulu ( please let’s take a minute in his memorial ).
in front the coffin of late Rashidi
from left: Mrs. Issa( security service,)Tandele ( Police commander)
Marcel (Deputy assistant of GIC), Somba ( Assistant warden), Amboya
( Community in charge)
The procession moves towards the cemetery
In fact, I were obliged to thank all people who accepted voluntarily coming and consolate the family.
Somba
PATROL IN BASIRI SECTOR
Category: Ranger Patrols, Rangers | Date: Nov 01 2007 | By: admin
The Okapi Reserve overlaps in 3 Administrative Territories Mambasa, Watsa and Wamba. It has neighboring with Beni ( in South), Bafwasende ( South -West ) , Isiro ( North ), Komanda - Yedi ( East ).
Since some years, the Reserve is under pression of poaching from neighboring zones. The management organized a mixture operation with the Government military from Mambasa (Rangers and Soldiers). It is not easy to organize such operation, but fortunately the Congolese Institute of Nature Conservation (ICCN) signed a convention with the Military Region of Kisangani. Patrol ration, Medicare care, and bonus were allocated by the Reserve.
.
Rangers and soldiers ready for moving in the bush
After the operation, Captain Mayala praying in front of his team
Since some years, the Reserve is under pression of poaching from neighboring zones. The management organized a mixture operation with the Government military from Mambasa (Rangers and Soldiers). It is not easy to organize such operation, but fortunately the Congolese Institute of Nature Conservation (ICCN) signed a convention with the Military Region of Kisangani. Patrol ration, Medicare care, and bonus were allocated by the Reserve.
However, the South sector was swept and the pression from
Beni
tries minimizing, but we still noticing some incursion of poachers from West sector of the Reserve. Last week, a patrol conducted by Mr. Kembo was out, and succeeded to catch a professional poacher named LOYEMBE alias Zembra with an AK 47. He is under interrogation and we are quietly waiting for the last decision of the prosecutor.
Professional poacher Zembra under prosecution
It is a great effort done by the brave Patrol Post Commander Kembo Lualaba and his team. Any kind of your donation for the protection of this natural Reserve; the only home of the endemic specie okapi ( okapia Johnstoni) is warmly welcomed.
Somba
Technorati : congo, epulu., okapi. wildlifedirect
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PATROL DEBRIEFING: Case of Okapi Wildlife 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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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.
My Promotion
Category: Epulu, Rangers | Date: May 26 2007 | By: admin
Presently, I would like to share with you this favorable moment that I am enjoying. As my background, I am a teacher of formation but only joining conservation ground since 1994 as a field Ranger in Okapi wildlife Reserve.
Mr. Marcel ENCKOTO on picture below is one of the person’s who invested his effort to me as my Teacher in Mandima Institute during the 1984 years , and then meet each other in Okapi Reserve as conservationists. He is the Assistant of the GIC Director for 4 years ,and the Education Program Coordinator. Really, he deserves his……..
from left : Somba and Mr. Marcel Enckoto
reading the nomination decision .
That I am enjoying is my recent nomination on the rank of Conservator and Deputy Warden of Okapi Wildlife Reserve. My gratitude must go straightly to Mr. Cosmas Wilingula the General Administrator of the ICCN/Kinshasa with his team who after deliberation saw the necessity of crowning me of this rank for the benefit of Okapi Wildlife Reserve in particular and for the ICCN in general. I was not alone, but with some Officers and Field Rangers.
The Senior Warden Mr. Mapilanga hands the nomination letter to C. Somba on parade.
from left Officers Amboya , Abeli, Alio , Somba and Banyanito .
“First of all ,promotion must be deserved, and is the fruit of the individual effort” said Mr. Mapilanga (senior warden) on parade of 18th. As I underlined earlier, 20 rangers were also crowning accordingly. Let me tell you that such promotion is a part of personal motivation, and I can imagine the moral of those who did not be promoted. Surely, they are stressed, but the Senior Warden encouraged them to work hardly.
More over, I am seeing the heavy burden on my shoulder, but with support of other colleagues and yours, I am convinced to win the game.
Somba
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
The trials and tribulations of a road through the Okapi Wildlife Reserve
Category: Community Work, Epulu, Okapi, Rangers | Date: Apr 19 2007 | By: admin
The Okapi Wildlife Reserve which is situated in Northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo and covers 14,000 square kilometers of tropical rainforest remains the habitat of the endemic specie ” okapi ” (okapia johnstonie ) which interacts with other animals such us forest buffalo, leopard, forest elephant, bongo antilope, duikers, monkeys, and so on. It overlaps 2 Districts namely Ituri and Haut - Uele .
The TransAfrican road which connects Nairobi-Kampala-DR Congo to Matadi port crosses the Reserve for almost 117km. Could you imagine how much importance this has in the region? Every 2 months, a hired truck brings patrol food, ICCN materials from Butembo-Beni via Mambasa. In the rainy season it can take a week to cover a distance of 212km because of the state of the road.
Ranger Nzoigba on the bike crossing a traditional bridge inside the reserve.
Since October 2006, The Chinese company SINOHYDRO started fixing the road inside the Reserve, so it allows us to quickly reach Beni-Butembo (6 hours by car), rather than the 2 days that it used to take.
Ranger Claude BAKIAKA travels on the new road
As a conservationist, the road is a good thing for the country - both for the economy and development. But I can image it also provides an easier opportunity to have poachers, illegal loggers, illegal miners and the migration movement in the Reserve. So we are supposed to intensify operation inside the protected area and also to reinforce the intelligence network in the villages. In this matter, a 6 week training course was planned and executed.
Paul Naish from South Africa was the lecturer. 11 Rangers were selected to attend teh course. So far the results on the ground are good. The course consisted to establish a kind of intelligence network around the Reserve, the manner of reporting, how to recruit an informer? How to search a car once in the reserve? Finger prints?
illegal miners detected and arrested during a patrol
As I mentioned earlier, the timber exploitation is growing in the surrounding region of the Reserve, and this moment trucks from Nairobi often load 15 to 20 tons of wood in a bad road, but nowadays with a good fixed road the truck owners exaggerate and load over 60 tons.
The Ituri river is one of the natural resource of the Reserve which takes its source from Bunia and crosses the reserve by South . It has a bridge built during the colonial period, and we cross on it when going from Mambasa to Komanda , Bunia or Beni .
Actually, we are facing a critical situation. An overloaded truck broke the Ituri bridge recently that was newly maintained by the Chinese, who warned people not take more than 25 tons. Unfortunately it does not make sense for timber traders. The truck is still in the water. 3 people died and the driver himself lost one of his arms.
Bridge Ituri broken by an overloaded truck
In this stage, the negative side is that we are now completely blocked in Epulu and the reserve in terms of quickly providing patrol rations and equipment. The big questions is WHO or WHAT organization could come in and help repair this bridge???
You should see the difficulties we have in DR Congo! Especially in Conservation!
Somba
2 RANGERS FROM CONGO’S OKAPI WILDLIFE RESERVE DIE
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
Working with Mbuti Pygmies at the Okapi Wildlife Reserve
Category: Community Work, Epulu, Mbuti Pygmies, Okapi, Rangers | Date: Apr 02 2007 | By: admin
Hi. My name is Rosy and I am the representative of Gilman International Conservation in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve. The first time I visited this place was as a tourist in 1984. I did not know then that 3 years later I would return to this part of Congo to work and live. I have been here for 20 years.
Epulu, where I live, is in the heart of the Ituri forest and is the HQ of the Congo Rangers in the reserve. You already know about Somba and Mapilanga.
One of my responsibilities to take care of 15 Okapis kept at the breeding station here. Okapis are browsers and the base of their daily diet is leaves. They are fed twice a day with approximately 30 different kind of fresh leaves which are collected in primary and secondary forest.
This is Karu, feeding in the afternoon.
The work of collecting the leaves is carried out by the Mbuti Pygmies. We employ 49 Mbuti men and women. They collect the leaves and ensure that the Okapis have what they need every day to feed. Seven days a week these brave people are carrying out their job with a dedication that is incomparable.
The Mbuti Pygmies leave their camp just as the day begins, and head towards the forest. After cutting and bundling up the leaves which takes them around 3 hours they return from the forest and bring leaves to the station. This is their daily task.
It is impressive to watch how well the Mbuti Pygmies are adapted to the forest. No one else knows the forest better than them.
Technorati : congo, drc, epulu, gic, ituri, okapi, pygmies, wildlifedirect
Illegal Mining and Ranger Challenges in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, Congo
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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