gorilla conservation in zaire

Gorilla conservationin Zaire

Conrad Aveling and Rosalind Aveling

The Zaire Gorilla Conservation Project was launched in 1984 after the 1981 census of mountaingorillas in the Virungas showed how the Mountain Gorilla Project in Rwanda, in which FFPS wasclosely involved, had helped to swell numbers. Over the past few years the Zaire project has madeencouraging progress. The 1986 census counted the highest number of gorillas since the early1970s and some of that increase can be attributed to improved protection in Zaire. In addition, thepark is benefiting from income from tourists visiting habituated gorilla groups. The project con-tinues to extend, taking in eastern lowland gorillas and chimpanzees, as well as developing anoverall education programme for the region around the park.

The first national park in Africa was created in1925 to protect the mountain gorillas of theVirunga volcanoes. Later the area was formallydivided between Rwanda and Zaire, retainingnational park status as Rwanda's Pare des Vol-cans and the Pare National des Virunga in Zaire.The Pare National des Virunga (Figure 1) wasextended in 1935 to 8000 sq km, covering anextraordinary diversity of habitats from theRuwenzori mountains through tropical rainforest to savannah, lakes and both active andextinct volcanoes. Mountain gorillas are con-fined to the 375-sq-km area of forest on the sixextinct volcanoes shared with Rwanda andUganda of which 225 sq km are in Zaire's PareNational des Virunga. The altitudinal range of thesector of the park in which gorillas occur is from2000 m to 4500 m and includes a variety ofhabitats from Neobutonia forest at the loweraltitudes through bamboo stands and Hageniaforest to giant Lobelia and Senecio at the highestaltitudes in the sub-alpine zone, where gorillashave been recorded as high as 3800 m.

The Zaire Gorilla Conservation ProjectThe Zaire Gorilla Conservation Project waslaunched in 1984—a collaborative effort bet-ween Zaire's Institut Zairois pour la Conservationde la Nature (IZCN), the Frankfurt Zoological64

Society (FZS) and WWF/IUCN. The primary aimwas to improve protection of the Virunga moun-tain gorilla Gorilla gorilla beringei in Zaire's PareNational des Virunga, although the project alsoaimed to update information on the conservationstatus of the more numerous eastern lowlandsubspecies of gorilla G.g. graueri. During the firstthree years FZS provided 93 per cent of the fund-ing and WWF 7 per cent. With the launching ofthe WWF-funded education programme in 1987the WWF contribution increased to 36 per cent.

As with the Rwandan MGP (regularly reportedon in Oryx) the Zaire Gorilla Conservation Pro-ject has combined logistic assistance to the parkwith the development of a controlled tourismprogramme based on gorilla viewing. The latterhas not only provided a greatly increased incomefor the park and an economic argument for itsprotection, but has also provided surveillance fora large area of the park with four of the largestfamilies of gorillas being monitored daily.

The guard post of Jomba close to the Ugandanborder at 2000 m has become the focus of thegorilla tourism programme. Here three familiesof gorillas have been habituated, two of whichwere opened for controlled tourism in Sep-tember 1985 and October 1986, respectively.The third is under constant surveillance when in

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Zaire, but sometimes ranges into Uganda; thusvisits cannot be reserved in advance and are onlyavailable at short-notice when the family is inZaire. A fourth family of gorillas at Bukima guard

Park boundaryInternational boundary

River

Rutshuru

TongoB•«»

Rumangabojomb

Nyiragongo/VUjP

y Mikeno

IGoma

'Bukima \UgandaGorillaSanctuary

RWANDA

Figure 1. Pare National des Virunga

Gorilla conservation in Zaire

post has been receiving visitors since June 1987.To maximize the quality of the visit, while at thesame time minimizing disturbance to the ani-mals, only six visitors per family of gorillas perday are permitted and so a reservation system,co-ordinated through the IZCN office in Goma,has been set up to deal with the great demand forplaces (IZCN Bureau de Liaison, BP 660, Goma,Kivu, Zaire).

Within a period of just three years since theopening of tourism to gorillas in the southernsector of the Pare National des Virunga, parkreceipts have increased dramatically from zero toaround £23,000 per month during peak touristperiods. The limit of six visitors per gorilla familyin one daily visit has become firmly establishedand is insisted on by IZCN. Under the presentparks administration these receipts go directlyinto improving facilities and management ofnational parks.

In addition to the tourism programme the projecthas provided considerable logistic support toimprove park protection in general. A network ofradios has improved communications and theguards of the southern sector of the park havebeen provided with uniforms, boots, warm clo-thing, sleeping bags, rucksacks and waterproofs.A programme of more regular patrols has beeninstigated with the project providing rations.Additional patrols are concentrated outside thetourism areas as the latter are avoided bypoachers once the presence of guards andtourists becomes established. Many hundreds ofwire snares, which are set by poachers to catchantelope but which are often responsible formutilations or death of gorillas, have beenremoved from the park. At the start of the projectboth the northern and southern sectors of thepark had no running vehicles and so two LandRovers and two lorries have been provided. Theproject also has a programme of construction(guard houses and visitor cabins) building workbeing undertaken by park staff.

The project's achievements result from a produc-tive working relationship between the nationalauthority and international conservation groups.The emphasis has been on provision of expertiseand funding as and when necessary to assistIZCN in development and management of their

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Asilverback (C. andR.J. Aueling).

resources, setting up systems that will continueafter the withdrawal of such assistance. Sinceestablishing the gorilla tourism system the expat-riate personnel have gradually withdrawn fromits operation and concentrate most effort ondeveloping other aspects of the project. Thegorilla guides and trackers trained by the projecthave given on-the-job training to new guidestaken on by IZCN, and two of the four gorillafamilies were habituated by guides and trackersthemselves after training in approaches andtechniques.

Effect of the conservation work inthe VirungasIn 1981 a census of the entire Virunga mountaingorilla population of Zaire, Rwanda and Ugandacounted 242 animals giving an estimated popu-lation size of between 242 and 266 (Aveling andHarcourt, 1983). That census confirmed the con-tinuing decline of the population since Schaller'sstudy in 1960 (Schaller, 1963). However, thecensus also showed that the gorilla population inthe Rwandan sector of the Virungas appeared to66

have stabilized following the improved protec-tion afforded by the activities of the MountainGorilla Project in that country and that the con-tinuing overall decline was explained mainly byinadequate protection on the Zaire side of thevolcanoes, an area encompassing roughly two-thirds of the gorilla habitat.

To continue the regular monitoring of mountaingorillas, the Zoological Societies of New Yorkand Frankfurt organized a census of the Virungapopulation in May and June 1986 (Vedder andAveling, 1986). The methods used were thesame as in previous censuses and the results areregarded as an almost complete count of thepopulation, at most a 10 per cent underestimate.By co-ordinating the census such that teamsworked simultaneously on both sides of the bor-ders in a sweep from one end of the volcanoes tothe other, it was possible to shorten the timeperiod and minimize the possibility of countingthe same group twice.

Briefly, the method involved 11 teams of work-ers (each with a team leader experienced in




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gorilla census techniques)* systematically cover-ing sectors of the parks and examining night nestsites less than one week old. Since gorillasdefecate in their nests at night and dung bolussize is correlated with animal age, examination ofdung in the nests gives a good indication of thenumber, and age-class, of the animals in thegroup, although dung of infants less than oneyear old is usually missed. Additional data fromthe continuously monitored groups of KarisokeResearch Centre and the Rwandan and ZaireMountain Gorilla Projects were also used but, forconsistency, infants of less than one year wereomitted from calculations of percentages ofimmatures.

The results from the census were very encourag-ing. A total of 279 individuals were counted ofwhich 11 were lone males and 268 were in 29families. This gives an estimated upper limit of307 and a mean estimate of 293. The percentageof immatures within groups was 44.8 and meangroup size was 9.2.

These figures compare very favourably with cen-sus results of 1971-73 (Harcourt et a\., 1981),1976-78 (Weber and Vedder, 1983) and 1981(Aveling and Harcourt, 1983). Indeed thenumber counted in the 1986 census is higherthan any of the population estimates calculatedfrom these earlier censuses (Table 1) indicatingthat the population is no longer declining andmay even, for the first time since the early 1970s,be increasing.

*Amy Vedder (New York Zoological Society); ConradAveling, Gapira Mutazimiza, Mike Catsis (Frankfurt Zoologi-cal Society); David Watts (Karisoke Research Centre); IngridSteurs, Bernard de Wetter, Mark Condiotti (African WildlifeFoundation); Nyamuhinga Alois (ORTPN); Peter Trenchard(US Peace Corps—Burundi); Nicole Monfort (Indepen-dent—Rwanda).

Even more encouraging is the fact that the per-centage of immature gorillas has increased to44.8 per cent, the highest figure since the early1970s and up 6.4 per cent from 1981. (Omittingfrom these calculations infants of less than oneyear, which are known from monitored familiesbut generally missed in non-monitored families,avoids bias since with the Zaire Gorilla Conser-vation Project now in operation more familiesthan ever before are monitored daily. If infantsof less than one year are included the figure is48.1 per cent). Average group size at 9.2 is alsothe highest since the early 1970s and is yetanother indication of a reproductively healthierpopulation.

Of the 29 gorilla families, 16 may be regarded aswell protected since they are either monitoreddaily by research workers and/or either of thetourism progammes, or they range almost en-tirely within the sectors in which these twoactivities take place. The percentage of im-matures in these 'protected' families is 46.6 percent compared with 41.7 per cent in the less wellprotected families; the 1981 figures were 48.5per cent and 33.0 per cent respectively, indica-ting that there has been a substantial improve-ment in protection outside of the areas of regularmonitoring by tourism and research.

The ranges of at least seven gorilla familiesstraddle the international boundaries and may beregarded as 'shared' families. If, for the purposeof calculation, these shared families are dividedbetween Zaire and Rwanda (no family usesUganda exclusively) it is possible to compare theimmature ratios between the countries. The fig-ures are surprising—39.8 per cent for Rwandaand 47.8 per cent for Zaire compared withfigures in 1981 of 44.0 per cent and 33.0 per cent

Table 1. Comparison of gorilla census results

Census

1971-731976-7819811986

Totalcounted

261252242279

No. ofgroups

31282829

Lonemales

1565

11

%*immatures

39.835.839.9(38.4)48.1(44.8)

Totalestimated (range)

274 (260-290)268(252-285)254(242-266)293 (279-307)

Meangroup size

7.98.88.59.2

* % immatures is calculated from the population counted in groups and includes infants of less than one year for consistencyof comparison over the 15-year period. Thus the high figure for 1986 partly reflects the fact that more groups than ever beforeare monitored daily. Figures in parentheses exclude infants of less than 1 year and therefore avoid this bias.

Gorilla conservation in Zaire o /



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• : f^ , * . V

Mikeno volcano: the area most in need of protection (C. and /?. J. Aveling).

for Rwanda and Zaire, respectively. Even if allshared families are apportioned to Rwanda to-gether with a further four families that range inZaire on or very close to the northern and west-ern flanks of Visoke mountain (falling under theprotective umbrella of the Rwandan MGP andKarisoke Research Centre), the figures still showa higher immature percentage for Zaire at 46.4per cent compared with 44.4 per cent forRwanda. While it is evident that part of theimprovement in Zaire is due to increased protec-tion, it is likely that the figures are also consider-ably affected by a series of natural demographicchanges that took place in Rwanda between1983 and 1986, which were monitored by theKarisoke Research Centre.

Three Rwandan families disintegrated in 1985and 1986 ('Nunkie', 'New Group' and 'Group 6')following the natural deaths of the silverbacksand it is thought that almost all the animals trans-ferred to neighbouring groups in Zaire. Themonitored families 'Beetsme' and 'Peanuts',which range in Zaire, received at least six68

juveniles and four subadults. No gorillas from'Group 6' reappeared in any of the Rwandanfamilies, which means that they must havemoved to Zaire or died. Furthermore, whenthe two Rwandan families 'Mudakama' and'Susa' merged in 1983 there were probablysome infanticides.

As in 1981 the areas most in need of better pro-tection are the Mikeno region in Zaire and theGorilla Sanctuary of the Ugandan sector. In 1986a mere 16 individuals were found on the moun-tain of Mikeno (along with very frequent signs ofpoaching) compared with 66 in 1981. However,there was a corresponding increase in thenumber of gorillas found in the flatter areas northand north-east of the mountain. This is an areathat was in the past much frequented bypoachers, but which may now be better pro-tected as a result of increased Zairian patrols inthe area. Although the Ugandan sector is only 30sq km in area there was evidence that at least 29gorillas (10.4 per cent of the population) oc-casionally use the area and so, as has frequently

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A male mountain gorilla (C. andR.J. Aueling).

been pointed out, it is very important that thisarea be better protected.

Current work of the Zaire GorillaConservation ProjectGorillasThe Gorilla Programme continues to pay track-ers and trail cutters until this is taken over byIZCN, to fund and undertake constructions at theguard posts and to monitor developments withIZCN. It assists in improving the operation, par-ticularly the vital radio network, and in sortingout problems together with IZCN as they arise.While some further consolidation is required, thegorilla tourism programme is becoming self-sufficient.

Other aspects of the gorilla conservation work inthe Pare National des Virunga require furtherattention, however, notably the further improve-ment of protection measures in the MikenoGorilla conservation in Zaire

sector, and additional support to IZCN for pro-tection of the Tchiaberimu population of Gorillagorilla graueri. The project is also trying to stimu-late and facilitate survey work and conservationmeasures for G.g. graueri occurring in Maiko andKahuzi—Biega National Parks where large popu-lations still exist but details on their status arelacking.

ChimpanzeesSince 1986 the project has been preparing theground for a chimpanzee conservation pro-gramme in the Pare National des Virunga, andthis got under way during 1987, focusing on theTongo region of the park's southern sector.Frankfurt Zoological Society, with funding fromthe Messerli Foundation, is supporting a field as-sistant to undertake habituation of chimpanzeesand training of IZCN guides to develop a tourismprogramme with the same conservation aims asthat for gorillas. The forest both within the parkand particularly in the buffer zone around it [foretdomaniale) is seriously threatened by charcoalexploitation and a successful tourism programmeis one of the most effective ways of preventingthis illicit exploitation and thus protecting thehabitat. Already the attention the project hasconcentrated on the area has helped reduceillegal forest destruction.

The forest is on an ancient chaotic lava flowwhere walking can be very tiring and dangerous,so a dense trail network is being established inthe study area to facilitate movement about theterrain by the habituators, and eventuallytourists, particularly in view of the long distancesthat chimpanzees cover and their speed of travel.It is anticipated that chimpanzees will take longerto habituate than gorillas and that a different sys-tem of visiting will have to be developed, whichtakes into account the constraints of their particu-lar habitat and social system; however, it ishoped that IZCN could start to offer chimpanzeeviewing during 1989 if the habituation pro-gresses well.

Environmental educationIn January 1987 the project launched an en-vironmental education programme in the areaaround the Pare National des Virunga, funded byWWF. An experienced education officer working

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with IZCN counterparts at all levels has de-veloped an ambitious programme with threemain target groups—the rural population livingaround the park, primary and secondary schools,and political and social leaders. In order to iden-tify the problems, and establish a base fromwhich to evaluate the education work, he firstconducted an extensive survey in five com-munities around the park, and this is providing awealth of information to guide the developmentof the education programme.

In order to undertake the survey a team of 35interviewers and co-ordinators were selectedfrom the villages and trained in techniques, andthe aim is that some of these could eventually be-come part of a network of village conservationaction leaders. A major focus of the programmeis to encourage small-scale development activi-ties in the villages, which will be of direct benefitto both people and park, such as establishmentof tree-nurseries and reforestation. One of the in-terviewers has been given basic training in fores-try techniques and is tackling the critical area ofconflict over wood exploitation between popu-lation and park. The co-operation of variousdevelopment agencies is being obtained forthis aspect of the programme, which will needgreater resources than are currently available.

Although a series of seminars and lectures washeld in 1987, the major emphasis in schools andother education establishments was delayeduntil a Land Rover equipped with audio-visualfacilities arrived in 1988. Meanwhile, the firstedition of an environmental magazine Kacheche,on the wood problem and forest conservation,has been prepared for publication and testedwith children and adults of different educationallevels throughout the region.

The futureSince 1984, when the joint IZCN/FZS/WWFproject started its work in eastern Zaire, there hasbeen a marked improvement in the managementof national parks in the region. International co-operation projects such as this have been able towork and achieve their aims in an atmosphere ofprofessionalism and optimism despite the manypractical problems and hurdles such field pro-jects face. This can be attributed largely to the70

appointment of a dynamic and dedicated Direc-tor of National Parks in April 1985—PresidentDelegue General Mankoto ma Mbaelele; theeffect of his firm and constant direction is feltthroughout the parks service from Chief ParkWardens to junior guards. It is very satisfying thatthe project has been able to withdraw partiallyfrom the mountain gorilla conservation pro-gramme and turn its resources, both technicaland financial, towards eastern lowland gorillas,chimpanzees and the education programme,which will act as the glue to consolidate all thework within the park. The Institut Zairois pour laConservation de la Nature faces enormous prob-lems and urgently needs the help of internationalorganizations in its task of preserving the greatdiversity of habitats and species under its care,and such organizations can now invest in natureconservation in Zaire with renewed confidence.

Acknowledgments

The Governments of Zaire, Rwanda and Uganda, and in par-ticular their departments of conservation and national parks,(l'lnstitut Zairois pour la Conservation de la Nature, OfficeRwandais du Tourisme et des Pares Nationaux, UgandaGame and Forest Department) made the work reported herepossible. The Zaire Gorilla Conservation Project is funded byFrankfurt Zoological Society, the Messerli Foundation andWorld Wildlife Fund, with administrative assistance providedby IUCN. The 1986 census was funded by the Frankfurt andNew York Zoological Societies, the USAID Ruhengeri Re-source and Management Project, the Digit Fund and WorldWildlife Fund. We would particularly like to thank Dr R.Faust, President of Frankfurt Zoological Society, for his con-tinued support and encouragement, and the fieldworkerswho have all contributed to the project's achievements inZaire, notably Conservateur en Chef Makabuza Kabirizi,Brigadier Chef Mburanumwe Sylvestre, Project AssistantGapira Mutazimiza, Education Officer Drs Jaap Schoorl andChimpanzee Programme Leader Drs Annette Lanjouw.

References

Aveling, C. and Harcourt, A.H. 1984. A census of the Virungagorillas. Oryx, 18, 8-13.

Harcourt, A.H., Fossey, D. and Sabater Pi, J. 1981. Demo-graphy of Gorilla gorilla. J. Zool., Lond., 195, 215-233.

Schaller, G.B. 1963. The Mountain Gorilla. University ofChicago Press, Chicago.

Vedder, A. and Aveling, C. 1986. Census of the VirungaPopulation of Gorilla gorilla beringei. Co-ordinators' re-port, September 1986. Mimeo (French and English).

Weber, A.W. and Vedder, A. 1983. Population dynamics ofthe Virunga Gorillas: 1959-1978. Biol. Conserv., 26,341-366.

Conrad Aveling and Rosalind Aveling, Frankfurt ZoologicalSociety, Aljred-Brehm Plate 16, D-6000 Frankfurt/Main 1,FRG.




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gorilla conservation in zaire

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