https://congo.wcs.org RSS feeds for WCS Congo 60 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/26078/Fixed-checkpoint-PK38-4-years-of-surveillance#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=26078 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=26078&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/26078/Fixed-checkpoint-PK38-4-years-of-surveillance Since 2021, the PK38 checkpoint on the Epéna–Impfondo road has played a key role in monitoring the transport of wildlife products. Over four years, 547 seizures were recorded, representing nearly 5.9 tons of biomass and involving 16 species. The dwarf crocodile accounts for almost half of all seizures, both in number and volume. Between 2021 and 2024, the total number of seizures dropped significantly (from 191 to 103), along with an overall decrease in biomass intercepted. While this trend may suggest reduced hunting pressure, it could also reflect shifts in trafficking routes or attempts to bypass controls. These findings highlight ongoing challenges in governance and awareness, particularly the limited understanding and enforcement of hunting regulations. Strengthening outreach, control measures, and community engagement remains essential to improve wildlife protection. Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:36:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:26078 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/26017/Is-the-Congo-Basin-drying-before-our-eyes#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=26017 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=26017&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/26017/Is-the-Congo-Basin-drying-before-our-eyes The silverback Metetele crosses the Ndoki River (Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park) with unusual ease.  Once deeper and more difficult to navigate, the Ndoki now appears significantly less flooded. This field observation is supported by rainfall data recorded at Mondika, showing a gradual decline in precipitation over the past decade. A scientific study published in 2025 confirms this trend, highlighting a drying pattern in the central Congo Basin, driven in part by the warming of the tropical Atlantic and the weakening of key atmospheric systems. Beyond the observation lies a critical challenge: anticipation. In an ecosystem where water shapes every balance, sustained changes in rainfall are redefining the interactions between forests, wildlife, and human communities. These images capture a transformation that remains subtle—but is already measurable. Thu, 26 Mar 2026 10:41:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:26017 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25924/WCS-and-the-Directorate-General-for-Livestock-Join-Forces-to-Strengthen-Animal-and-Zoonotic-Disease-Surveillance#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25924 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25924&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25924/WCS-and-the-Directorate-General-for-Livestock-Join-Forces-to-Strengthen-Animal-and-Zoonotic-Disease-Surveillance On February 24, 2026, in Brazzaville, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), represented by its Country Director, Richard Malonga, and the General Directorate of Livestock (DGE), represented by its Director General, Dr. N’Kaya-Tobi, signed a Technical Collaboration Agreement. Concluded for a period of five (5) years, this agreement formalizes a framework for collaboration in two specific areas: the surveillance of emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases in the veterinary sector, and aspects related to the sanitary safety of food products derived from wildlife. At the interface between wildlife, domestic animals, and human populations, health risks require close coordination and regular information sharing. The signed protocol specifically aims to establish this exchange mechanism in order to prevent certain diseases that may affect both humans and domestic animals. Within this framework, the two institutions commit to maintaining open and regular communication on all matters related to animal health. They will work jointly to develop a communication protocol enabling effective interventions in the event of epizootic outbreaks affecting wildlife or domestic animals. They also intend to strengthen their operational and scientific capacities through reciprocal technical and scientific training opportunities. The collaboration further provides for the promotion and development of livestock farming in order to help reduce local communities’ dependence on wild meat. Subject to the availability of the necessary resources, WCS will mobilize its professional network as well as its community-based surveillance system for unusual wildlife events—particularly cases of morbidity or suspected mortality—to collect biological samples for diagnostic purposes. WCS will also use the network of the Private Community-Based Veterinary Service (SVPP) model as an alert mechanism in cases of suspected mortality among domestic animals, and will work with the DGE to integrate wildlife health surveillance data into the national animal health surveillance system. For its part, the DGE will provide general support to activities related to wildlife health surveillance as well as awareness campaigns on wildlife-related zoonoses. It will facilitate the administrative and logistical procedures necessary for the implementation of activities of common interest and may, when needed, support the process of obtaining the permits required for the export or transfer of biological material, in strict compliance with applicable regulations. The protocol also defines the modalities of collaboration in the areas of training, joint research, and scientific publications. It specifies that both institutions act as independent partners engaged in an exclusively technical partnership and sets out provisions relating to data confidentiality and intellectual property rights over the results produced. Through the signing of this agreement, WCS and the DGE consolidate a structured framework for cooperation aimed at improving coordination in animal health surveillance and the prevention of animal and zoonotic diseases in the Republic of Congo. Mon, 02 Mar 2026 16:40:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25924 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25908/Live-African-Fruit-Bats-in-Congo-a-lucrative-value-chain-facing-zoonotic-risks#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25908 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25908&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25908/Live-African-Fruit-Bats-in-Congo-a-lucrative-value-chain-facing-zoonotic-risks At the first conference of the Congo Basin Science Initiative in Brazzaville, WCS Congo’s One Health Program shared results from a study conducted in Brazzaville and Ouesso with the Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme. Based on interviews with 79 actors across the value chain, hunters, wholesalers, vendors, restaurant owners, and consumers, the study reveals that the live fruit bat trade is a structured and economically significant system. In Brazzaville, total revenues can reach approximately 7–8 million FCFA for restaurant owners, around 7 million FCFA for wholesalers, and about 5.5 million FCFA for vendors. In Ouesso, revenues are lower (generally a few hundred thousand FCFA) but remain vital for local livelihoods. The research also highlights a critical gap in zoonotic risk perception. While nearly all hunters and wholesalers report awareness of disease risks, understanding and perceived vulnerability remain very low among vendors, restaurant owners, and consumers. These findings stress the importance of strengthening awareness, prevention measures, and the full integration of the One Health approach to safeguard both economic stability and public health in the Republic of Congo. Wed, 25 Feb 2026 14:08:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25819/An-exceptional-birth-scene-was-observed-among-the-gorillas-of-Mbeli-Bai#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25819 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25819&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25819/An-exceptional-birth-scene-was-observed-among-the-gorillas-of-Mbeli-Bai During a routine observation session at Mbeli Bai, researchers were monitoring Mowgli’s gorilla group as usual. All individuals had been identified and the group was moving calmly through the clearing when an unusual behavior caught the team’s attention: an adult female, Mogwai, briefly separated herself at the edge of the bai. Moments later, Mogwai rejoined the group carrying a newborn in her arms. With the umbilical cord still visible, she gently cleaned it, confirming that a birth had just taken place on site. This rare and precious observation, documented by our researchers, is an encouraging sign for the long-term monitoring and conservation of gorillas at Mbeli Bai. Fri, 09 Jan 2026 10:24:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25819 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25799/After-8-Years-Female-Elephant-Af221-Returns-to-Mbeli-Bai#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25799 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25799&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25799/After-8-Years-Female-Elephant-Af221-Returns-to-Mbeli-Bai More than eight years after her last visit, a female elephant has been recorded again at Mbeli Bai. Thanks to the female identification logbook established in 2017, researchers were able to formally identify her as Af221. No sightings of this female had been recorded since that date, representing an absence of more than eight years. She returned accompanied by her two young, a juvenile and a calf. This sighting highlights the essential importance of long-term monitoring of elephants at Mbeli Bai. Individual identification and data collection over several years provide a better understanding of the elephants' loyalty to this site, their movements, reproduction, and survival.   Tue, 30 Dec 2025 09:45:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25799 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25766/One-Health-Approach-Strengthening-Collaboration-to-Prevent-Zoonotic-Diseases-in-Congo#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25766 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25766&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25766/One-Health-Approach-Strengthening-Collaboration-to-Prevent-Zoonotic-Diseases-in-Congo “More than 70% of emerging infectious diseases originate in wildlife,” said Dademanao Pissang Tchangai, @‌FAO representative in Congo, at the opening of the workshop to strengthen collaboration among “One Health” actors. Led by WCS, the workshop brought together 40 representative of veterinary services, public health, administrative authorities, public institutions, as well as civil society, NGOs, research institutions, and technical and financial partners. Organized as part of the SWM (Sustainable Wildlife Management) program, the workshop provided an opportunity to learn and reflect collectively on the best strategies for working together to prevent zoonoses. A joint action plan for surveillance and prevention and the intensification of community awareness campaigns on zoonotic risks will be undertaken. Mon, 10 Nov 2025 09:31:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25766 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25733/First-joint-One-Health-mission-of-the-Sangha-Tri-National#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25733 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25733&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25733/First-joint-One-Health-mission-of-the-Sangha-Tri-National In the Sangha Tri-National region, where Congo, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic meet, the “One Health” mission brought communities together to reduce the risk of zoonotic diseases in villages around Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park. Through film screenings and educational talks, more than 200 Bantu and Indigenous residents learned about good hygiene and health practices. The initiative, supported by the Sangha Tri-National Foundation (FTNS), also aims to strengthen transboundary collaboration for disease surveillance across the TNS landscape. It will soon expand to Cameroon and Central African Republic to strengthen community resilience and protect human, animal, and environmental health across the region. Mon, 03 Nov 2025 12:56:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25733 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25764/Raise-awareness-of-the-mini-charter-on-fishing-in-the-LTCR#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25764 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25764&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25764/Raise-awareness-of-the-mini-charter-on-fishing-in-the-LTCR In many villages of the Lac Télé Community Reserve, the local fishing charter, a simple guide designed to protect aquatic habitats and prevent overfishing, remains largely unknown. This lack of awareness threatens the sustainable use of the lake’s precious resources. A sensitization mission traveled along the southern corridor of the Reserve, from Itanga to Bouanéla. Over 780 people learned about responsible fishing practices and received copies of the mini charter. The Reserve team continues to work hand in hand with local communities to strengthen surveillance and ensure the long-term protection of fish resources. Mon, 03 Nov 2025 09:21:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25764 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25281/Discovery-of-carcasses-and-the-imperative-of-health-monitoring-in-the-Ndoki-Likouala-landscape#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25281 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25281&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25281/Discovery-of-carcasses-and-the-imperative-of-health-monitoring-in-the-Ndoki-Likouala-landscape Our 2022-2023 wildlife survey in the Ndoki-Likouala landscape revealed several animal carcasses. These losses are often linked to poaching but also highlight the severe threat of infectious diseases like Ebola or anthrax, which can wipe out entire great ape populations in weeks. In the face of this dual threat, WCS's wildlife health monitoring—conducted through the collection of samples—is a critical early warning system. It's a cornerstone of the #OneHealth approach, protecting both global biodiversity and human health. Thu, 02 Oct 2025 09:31:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25281 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25762/Certified-forests-refuges-for-Congolese-wildlife#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25762 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25762&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25762/Certified-forests-refuges-for-Congolese-wildlife The latest wildlife survey in the Ndoki-Likouala landscape reveals a powerful finding: Forest concessions certified by the FSC (like those managed by CIB) host higher densities of forest elephants, gorillas, and ungulates than unmanaged areas. ⠀ This success is no accident. It's the result of a long-term innovative partnership (PROGEP) between the government, industry (CIB), and conservationists (WCS), proving that responsible management makes a real difference for wildlife. Tue, 16 Sep 2025 09:04:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25762 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25769/Republic-of-Congo-The-shark-trade-and-its-impacts#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25769 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25769&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25769/Republic-of-Congo-The-shark-trade-and-its-impacts Sharks and rays now make up a growing share of the artisanal catch in the Republic of Congo, with 23,073 tons landed between 2000 and 2017. Their meat is consumed locally, while their fins are exported to Asia, where they can fetch up to 25,000 CFA francs per kilogram. This demand has led to targeted fishing, threatening species like the hammerhead shark, highly sought after for its meat. A lack of strict regulation leaves these species vulnerable to overfishing. Specialized buyers remove the fins and gills, which are then sold on international markets. Better traceability and the introduction of fishing quotas could help preserve these vital species while supporting the livelihoods of local fishermen. Fri, 29 Aug 2025 09:51:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25769 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25130/Meat-consumption-habits-in-the-Sangha-department#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25130 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25130&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25130/Meat-consumption-habits-in-the-Sangha-department In northern Congo, wild meat and fish remain an important part of the local diet. In rural areas, 70% of people ate wild meat the day before the survey was conducted, compared to 37% of people living in towns. Rural households consumed almost 5,000 kg of wild meat and 4,600 kg of fish, accounting for 90% of their animal protein intake. In Ouesso, wild meat is the favourite choice for 45% of the population, ahead of fish (38%), which is valued for its taste, cultural importance and 'natural' quality. These insights highlight the challenge of balancing food security, cultural traditions and biodiversity conservation. The SWM Programme, supported by the EU, the FAO and the AFD, is exploring ways to ease the pressure on wildlife while promoting local alternatives. Wed, 27 Aug 2025 13:00:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25130 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25772/Meat-consumption-habits-in-the-Sangha-department#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25772 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25772&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25772/Meat-consumption-habits-in-the-Sangha-department In northern Congo, wild meat and fish remain vital for local diets. In rural areas, 70% of people ate wild meat the day before the survey, compared to 37% in towns. Rural households consumed nearly 5,000 kg of wild meat and 4,600 kg of fish, making up 90% of their animal protein. In Ouesso, wild meat is the favorite choice for 45% of the population, ahead of fish (38%) — valued for its taste, cultural importance, and “natural” quality. These insights highlight the challenge: how to balance food security, cultural traditions, and biodiversity conservation. The SWM Programme, supported by the EU, FAO and AFD, is exploring solutions to ease pressure on wildlife while supporting local alternatives. Fri, 22 Aug 2025 10:08:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25772 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/24593/The-Republic-of-Congo-strengthens-community-rights-with-new-FPIC-guidelines#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=24593 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=24593&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/24593/The-Republic-of-Congo-strengthens-community-rights-with-new-FPIC-guidelines Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) applies to all projects that have an impact on local communities, including logging, infrastructure construction, the creation or expansion of protected areas, and ecotourism. In Congo, this protection has now been strengthened by new official rules adopted at a key workshop held last June in Ignié. This major step forward aims to ensure greater equity, transparency and respect for often marginalised communities. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is contributing its field experience to this initiative. For years, it has been working directly with communities in departments such as Sangha and Likouala to facilitate dialogue and defend their rights. Its approach shows that it is possible to reconcile environmental protection with respect for local populations. Working closely with communities in northern Congo, the WCS Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme (SWM Programme), supported by the European Union and AFD, has played a key role in this success. By collaborating with partners such as the FAO, it has helped to develop rules tailored to the Congolese reality. These new guidelines will help prevent conflicts and ensure that all stakeholders, whether companies or institutions, take better account of community rights. This concrete step forward was made possible by the joint commitment of the Congolese government, international organisations and civil society, demonstrating that fairer development is possible. Wed, 13 Aug 2025 02:16:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:24593 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/24941/New-insights-on-wildlife-in-Kabo-republic-of-Congo#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=24941 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=24941&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/24941/New-insights-on-wildlife-in-Kabo-republic-of-Congo The Kabo Forest Management Unit (FMU) is a forest area (2,670 km²) that has been exploited for timber since the 1970s. Over the past few decades, hunting practices have changed and areas that were once isolated are now accessible. In order to enable sustainable hunting, regular estimates of animal densities are needed. Discover the state of wildlife in the Kabo Forest Management Unit in the Republic of Congo. This report, produced as part of the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Program, uses camera traps to estimate animal densities and assess the impact of hunting. The results reveal worrying trends for certain species, while highlighting the importance of sustainable management. Thu, 07 Aug 2025 12:45:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:24941 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25767/The-Swamp-Monkey-A-Little-Known-Jewel-of-Lac-Teles-Flooded-Forests#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25767 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25767&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25767/The-Swamp-Monkey-A-Little-Known-Jewel-of-Lac-Teles-Flooded-Forests Endemic to the Congo Basin, Allen’s swamp monkey (Allenopithecus nigroviridis) is rarely seen—but thanks to a new study, we now know the Lac Télé Community Reserve is one of its key strongholds. Unlike nearby protected areas, LTCR includes flooded forests, which are essential for this habitat specialist. In three of the nine monitored clearings, the swamp monkey was recorded—proof of its presence and the Reserve’s critical role. Scientists stress the need for regular monitoring. This little-known primate may rely on LTCR more than we thought. Thu, 07 Aug 2025 09:36:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25767 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25119/Using-passive-acoustic-monitoring-to-assess-the-impact-of-gunshots-on-forest-elephants-in-Congo#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25119 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25119&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25119/Using-passive-acoustic-monitoring-to-assess-the-impact-of-gunshots-on-forest-elephants-in-Congo Using innovative passive acoustic monitoring (PAM), researchers have revealed how forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) in Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park adjust their behavior in response to gunfire. The data shows an 8-day reduction in elephant presence after hunting incidents, along with increased nighttime vocalizations—clear evidence of stress caused by poaching. This groundbreaking study highlights the profound impact of human activity on these keystone species. The research, a collaboration between Cornell University's Elephant Listening Project, Wildlife Conservation Society, and Congolese scientists, deployed 50 acoustic recorders across 1,250 km² of dense rainforest. Local researchers and eco-guards played a vital role in data collection, contributing to successful elephant protection efforts in the park. As ecosystem engineers crucial for forest regeneration and carbon storage, forest elephants require urgent conservation measures, including anti-poaching enforcement and preservation of ecological corridors. The full study offers critical insights for African biodiversity conservation. Sat, 28 Jun 2025 10:43:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25119 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25102/The-effects-of-climate-change-are-weakening-the-ecosystem-of-the-Lac-Tele-Community-Reserve#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25102 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25102&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25102/The-effects-of-climate-change-are-weakening-the-ecosystem-of-the-Lac-Tele-Community-Reserve Between savannahs that burn at certain times of the year and swamp forests inhabited by gorillas and other fragile species, the Lake Télé Community Reserve embodies a rare ecological balance that is now threatened by the effects of climate change. In its February 2025 issue, Le Courrier de la Nature devotes an in-depth article to this topic. Located in the heart of flooded forests, this exceptional territory is a biodiversity hotspot and a major carbon sink thanks to its vast tropical peatlands. The article also highlights the involvement of local communities in the sustainable management of this area. Nzouzi, Christ Tue, 17 Jun 2025 12:30:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25102 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/24946/Hippopotamus-census-finding-a-balance-between-communities-and-conservation#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=24946 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=24946&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/24946/Hippopotamus-census-finding-a-balance-between-communities-and-conservation The Lac Télé Community Reserve Research Team conducted a hippopotamus census in the southern part of the Reserve. Efforts were concentrated around Likonda, Moungouma Moke, and Ebambe, the latter two being on the outskirts of the Reserve, where most of the observations were made. The study focused on the number of individuals observed, their geolocation, behavior, the presence of tracks, and environmental conditions (water level, weather). A total of twelve hippos were counted. Although the number of hippos observed seems relatively low, their presence continues to generate conflicts with local communities. Occasional attacks on canoes, frequent destruction of fishing nets, and damage to corn, cassava, and yam crops directly affect the livelihoods of residents. These economic losses are particularly severe for isolated villages, which are heavily dependent on natural resources. The hippopotamus is classified as “Vulnerable” and is a fully protected species. Despite the difficulties, communities are showing resilience and patience in coping with the impacts. It is now urgent to implement concrete actions to reduce conflicts while ensuring the conservation of hippopotamuses and their habitat. Tue, 13 May 2025 13:22:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:24946 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25218/The-Guardian-The-secret-life-of-the-Congo-rainforest-in-pictures#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25218 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25218&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25218/The-Guardian-The-secret-life-of-the-Congo-rainforest-in-pictures Using high-definition camera traps on trails in Congo’s Nouabalé-Ndoki national park, Will Burrard-Lucas, a photographer for the Wildlife Conservation Society, has captured Africa’s most elusive and rarely seen animals. The portfolio is accessible here. PDF version at this link. Fri, 07 Mar 2025 13:56:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25218 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25217/Le-Monde-In-the-Congo-Basin-environmental-NGOs-step-up-efforts-to-include-Indigenous-populations#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25217 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25217&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25217/Le-Monde-In-the-Congo-Basin-environmental-NGOs-step-up-efforts-to-include-Indigenous-populations The French newspaper Le Monde Afrique published a photo report on the progress made in including Indigenous Peoples in the management of protected areas in the Congo Basin, focusing on Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, where the journalist met with researchers and ecoguards from the BaAka peoples. Read the piece at this link. Find the PDF here. Thu, 19 Sep 2024 13:51:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25217 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25129/A-pioneering-public-private-collaboration-celebrates-25-years-of-biodiversity-conservation-in-the-Republic-of-Congo#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25129 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25129&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25129/A-pioneering-public-private-collaboration-celebrates-25-years-of-biodiversity-conservation-in-the-Republic-of-Congo This year marks an important milestone: the Peripheral Ecosystem Management Project (PROGEPP) celebrates 25 years of protecting gorillas, elephants, and other iconic species in northern Congo. Launched through a unique collaboration between the Ministry of Forest Economy, Olam Agri, and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), this pioneering project has become a model for sustainable natural resource management. Since 1999, PROGEPP has worked to safeguard the exceptional biodiversity of Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park and its surrounding areas, while also strengthening the livelihoods of local communities. By creating sustainable jobs and reducing pressure on wildlife, the project has demonstrated that conservation and development can go hand in hand to benefit both people and nature. Among its key achievements are the protection of more than 24,000 gorillas and 6,000 elephants, the creation of over 400 micro-enterprises to diversify local economies, and the release of more than 1,400 wild animals back into their natural habitats. These results highlight the lasting impact of PROGEPP on conservation and communities in the Republic of Congo. For further details, please refer to our press release. Mon, 05 Aug 2024 13:50:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25129 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25100/Analysis-of-N2O-Emissions-Greenhouse-Gas-in-the-Lac-Tele-Community-Reserve#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25100 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25100&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25100/Analysis-of-N2O-Emissions-Greenhouse-Gas-in-the-Lac-Tele-Community-Reserve Let's embark on an adventure into the fascinating Epena forest, at the heart of the Lac Télé Community Reserve! In March 2024, a team of passionate researchers, led by Dr. Sydney Thony Ndolo Ebika from Congo and Dr. Ulo Mander from Estonia, embarked on an expedition to explore the secrets of peatlands and flooded savannas, to better understand their crucial role in our ecosystem. As part of the international project, "Peatland N20", we visited the heart of the marshes to study greenhouse gas emissions. How do soil moisture or the canopy influence these emissions? The results of this research, to be shared with the IPCC, could shape our environmental protection strategies. Congo is home to a vast expanse of peat forests and the Congolese government has recently taken significant steps to protect these fragile ecosystems, recognizing their vital importance to our planet. Despite this, the ecological mechanisms of peatlands remain a mystery. This study aims to shed light on this exciting area of science while contributing to the preservation of our important forests. Tue, 02 Apr 2024 08:11:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25100 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25195/UNDARK-Magazine-The-Uncharted-World-of-Emerging-Pathogens#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25195 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25195&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25195/UNDARK-Magazine-The-Uncharted-World-of-Emerging-Pathogens Undark magazine takes a look at early epidemic detection initiatives, including sampling animal carcasses found dead in the forest in northern Congo by the WCS. Read more here. PDF version here. Wed, 14 Feb 2024 12:26:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25195 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25089/Congolese-women-think-they-dont-belong-in-the-forest-But-we-do#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25089 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25089&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25089/Congolese-women-think-they-dont-belong-in-the-forest-But-we-do For some reason, Esther has always dreamed of working in the forest. Despite the predominance of men in this field, she made a place for herself as a research assistant in the heart of the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, and showed that research is open to all. “I don’t know why I always wanted to be in the forest,” says Esther Nkoussou, shrugging her shoulders as she packs to get ready to go gorilla-tracking, deep in the Congo Basin forest. For a year now, Esther has been working as a research assistant in Mondika, observing habituated gorilla groups and collecting behavioral data from dawn till dusk. “Honestly, it’s not an easy job, but if you know what you want, it works” she explains, smiling, “I adapted quickly, it took me three weeks to feel comfortable”. Mondika is a research camp located in the periphery of Nouabalé- Ndoki National Park, in the northern Republic of the Congo. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) manages the site on behalf of the Congolese Government, through an innovative Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for delegated protected area management. As an important future site for wildlife-based tourism, Mondika benefits from the generous support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through its tourism expansion activity. Esther is the first female Congolese research assistant to be hired in Mondika for 15 years, a research site created in 1995 by Dr. Diane Doran-Sheehy, where female leadership is almost a tradition. The previous site manager, Alice Zambarda, has played a big role in Esther’s swift adaptation. “I saw Alice as a mentor, who coached me on how to behave, we worked on the ground, she gave me courage,” she explains. Esther’s story with the forest also dates back to the 1990s, when, as a teenager, she saw the Mayomb forest for the first time: “I could see the forest from the train as I passed. I didn’t really have any idea what was in it, and was curious to know”. It is this insatiable and inexplicable curiosity for the forest that has led her to where she is. “I remember the first time I entered a forest was in Brazzaville, in the ‘Patte-d’oie’ forest [an urban, artificial acacia forest]. It gave me a first idea, and I was already wowed.” Esther then studied forestry, and worked for the National Reforestation Service.   “Women generally like secretarial work, being in an office. I wanted to work in the forest, and see where it would take me” she explains. “Some people thought it was cool, because not many women do this. Some were doubtful. It motivated me even more.” When asked how it is to work in a male-dominated field, Esther shrugs again: “I like it, I have always worked with a lot of men, even during my studies. I’m used to being in a male environment.” To her, “the most important thing is to be welcomed, not to feel any difference, whether you are a woman or a man. Mutual respect and esteem can only be achieved by letting go of prejudices.” Four days out of five, Esther is in the field, walking in the dense vegetation, looking for western lowland gorillas, then thoroughly recording every aspect of the group’s life. Every vocalization, interaction, move, is a precious addition to a more than 20 year old database that helps understanding this critically endangered, and most under-studied species of great ape. “In the forest, there is something exceptional that I can’t explain. A certain chemistry that I’m attracted to” she explains, lacking words to explain her life-long fascination. Yet “for women, the forest is something to be afraid of”, she deplores. To Esther, this is due to misinformation and incorrect preconceived notions. “People have a mistaken view of these professions,” she says, “the job of a research assistant is no more problematic for a woman than for a man.” Not everyone can adapt to the forest, where the living conditions are fairly basic, but Esther does not believe that this is something changed by gender. “Women should be encouraged to apply more. In today’s world, women must aspire to the same positions as men” explains Esther. And she intends to set an example, and to see her career progress. “I can’t say I want to stay an assistant, but I have to take it one step at a time. I’d like to do a training course in five years’ time, so that I can continue to progress.” Her only condition for her future is the same as it has been since she was a teenager: “The main thing is to stay in the forest, and in Congo!”.   Wed, 18 Aug 2021 08:39:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25089 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25091/Stories-and-history-of-Mondika#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25091 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25091&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25091/Stories-and-history-of-Mondika Diane Doran-Sheehy looking through binoculars, 1998 ©Natashah Shah At the edge of Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, in a truly remote part of the northern Congo rainforest, the last 25 years have seen the Mondika research site evolve from a modest forest camp, into one of the world’s most important centres for studies on the western lowland gorilla, thanks to the dedication of a long line of incredible people. This is the history of the site, in their words. It all started with “a roof over a tent that Diane and I shared, and another tent shared by the trackers” remembers Natasha Shah, the very first research assistant of Mondika who came with Professor Diane Doran-Sheehy to establish the camp. “We were looking for a place along water, we hiked in and got unbelievably lucky” explains Pr. Doran-Sheehy of Stony Brook University. Gorillas and chimpanzees were everywhere around them. At that time, next to nothing was known about western lowland gorillas, “all of our knowledge was coming from mountain gorillas, in the Virunga” admits Pr. Doran-Sheehy, “it was hard to believe that there was one ape we didn’t know anything about. Apes are human’s closest ancestors, we had to understand them”. But western lowland gorillas, who only live in the dense Congo Basin forest, are hard to even approach, “it was the remaining nut to crack. The most difficult species to study. And I felt I had something to bring”. Mopetu and Pr. Diane Doran-Sheehy studying gorilla dung. Mopetu was one of the first two trackers at Mondika in 1995 and still works there. ©Natashah Shah “At the beginning we spent a lot of time learning what gorillas ate by identifying the seeds found in their dung” explains Natashah. Research started from scratch, in an intact part of rainforest where very few scientists had ever come before. “When we first arrived at Mondika, many animals were “naïve” as they had limited or no experience with people.  Thus, they often reacted to our presence with curiosity rather than fear” Natashah continues. Stuck between two rivers, the Djeke triangle where Mondika sits was then a two-day trip from Bayanga, in CAR, a very remote area, “that has had minimal to no human disturbance or hunting for probably a century”. Gathering the right people in the wrong country To be able to study gorillas up close, and base research on direct observation, they had to “habituate” great apes to human presence. “The point of habituation is to have the animal to ignore you as if you were part of the forest” explains Pr. Doran-Sheehy. Habituation is a hard, stressful process that can take years, and depends on one crucial skill: tracking. “Lowland gorillas have much bigger ranges than mountain gorillas. Habituation wouldn’t have been possible without expert tracking” tells Pr. Doran-Sheehy. This expertise came from people who know this forest best: Indigenous People. “The Ba’Aka trackers were such wonderful teachers, and taught us so much about the forest – the animals, plants, their stories” adds Natashah Shah. David Greer (middle up) with Mondika trackers (from left top to bottom right): Ndoki, Mesane, Mopetu, Mokonjo, Mongambe, Samedi, Mamandele, and Mangombe) around 1998-2000 ©David Greer While working on habituating a first group of gorillas, Ba’Aka trackers in Mondika started mentoring their own children to pass on their knowledge, and got nicknamed “the professors” by everyone who has come to work with them. “Since Mondika, I have worked in many places where we track gorillas, but those guys in Mondika were always the cream of the crop” acknowledges David Greer, who arrived in Mondika In 1998 as a researcher, and stayed as the site manager, “they are the best trackers I have ever met.” “What made Mondika special is that it was a project that had westerners, Ba’Aka, and Bantu together” emphasizes Pr. Doran-Sheehy, “Layers of societies from the US, CAR, Congo, would live together. We ate together, and every Saturday night, we put on music and danced all together.” This atmosphere played a big role in the success of research work in Mondika. Living conditions were rough and habituation was difficult, but teamwork took over. A Saturday night in Mondika, 2002 ©Tim Rayden It took more than 5 years to realize that Mondika was actually in Congo, and not in CAR. “At that time GPS units were still not accurate”, recognises Natashah. Management of the site changed, yet despite this change, and to this day, the team of trackers remains the same, coming from Bayanga, in CAR. Some of the original professors have given way to their students, passing on the same unique expertise. “It was challenging but beautiful” “The density of gorillas in Mondika is really really high, and for habituation it’s not a key ingredient, because you could get confused following tracks. You start following a group, and end up following another one” explains David Greer, who worked to habituate Kingo’s group, the first one to be habituated in Mondika. “During his habituation, Kingo had a lot of encounters with other males who heard him being afraid of us.” Regrets Pr. Doran-Sheehy. Yet habituation is a necessary evil. It allows the animals to be studied and better understood, “the later point is that you protect them. Kingo is alive. That’s unheard of.” Kingo, in the swamps of the Mondika river, 2002 ©Tim Rayden It has now been about 20 years since this 42 year-old silverback has been habituated, and this longevity is indeed remarkable. It took a lot of effort, following his group for months at a time, but it was worth it. “I have worked with 40 to 50 silverbacks in my life, and Kingo was one of the nicest I have ever known. While I was there, he never attacked us, forgiving us when we got too close or when we forgot to vocalize. He is such a good group leader, and a good defender of his group” recognises David Greer, who has kept on working with gorillas since then. The key to success for the habituation of Kingo’s group was to change the protocol: “The teams needed to go to the swamps to follow the gorillas, where we could see and be seen constantly. The gorillas couldn’t run away, and that sped up the process” explains David Greer. Thanks to that idea, the team could follow the group for 3 consecutive months, when it could only follow it for 10 days previously. Since then, another group, Buka’s, got habituated in around 2006, and a third one more recently, Metetele’s, starting mid-2019. Those habituated groups have allowed field teams to gather precious data. Pr. Doran-Sheehy remembers that at the time she created Mondika, “the idea that gorilla eat fruits was crazy. Something that basic wasn’t known”. Nowadays “we know that they have an ecological map in their head, they know exactly where to go, at what season, to find fruits. We know what kind of plants they eat when they are sick”, explains Patrice Mongo, who succeeded David Greer as the site manager in 2003. Patrice was the first Congolese site manager in Mondika, and the longest-lasting. This experience made him grow a passion for apes he never let go. “Mondika is now a site where gorillas have been studied over the long term, which allows us to answer many research questions that rely on data collected over years or decades” adds Natashah Shah. Kingo, in 2018 ©Kyle de Nobrega “Gorillas are a force for good”   “In Rwanda, during the war [1990-1994], neither side wanted to hurt the gorillas, because they knew gorillas were a great tourism opportunity. Gorillas are a force for good” explains Pr. Doran-Sheehy. And she had a vision for Mondika: “I wanted tourism and research to go hand in hand, both would enhance each other. Tourism can be a very important component of a conservation project, but it has to be controlled, especially to protect the animal’s health. It has to not become a zoo. It’s a place to see the animal behave naturally.” Sadly Pr. Doran-Sheehy ended up running out of funds. “It’s one of those ironies”, she remembers: “once we ensured that this area wouldn’t be logged, we started losing funds”. That’s when management of the site was handed over to WCS Congo. “I was very grateful to hand it over. I was afraid to leave the animal unprotected.” And that’s when tourism became a source of income for the site, as well as an excellent deterrent to poaching. “Any site which does tourism has a responsibility to do research alongside it. You have to collect data from sunrise to sunset. Research is a critical component, and applied research must guide the tourism program” adds David Greer. Since 2016, a fruitful continuing partnership between the Goualougo Triangle Ape Project and the WCS started, and succeeded to secure funds for research as well as tourism.  In 2014, management of Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park strengthened thanks to the creation of a Public-Private Partnership between WCS and the Republic of Congo. This impacted Mondika, by reinforcing anti-poaching efforts around the Park too. Since 2020, WCS took steps towards making Pr. Doran-Sheehy’s vision a reality. A new partnership with the Congo Conservation Company (CCC) aims to develop responsible tourism in Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park. In support of this new partnership, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing generous support to create the enabling conditions needed to ensure the development of sustainable  tourism operations, that ensure the safety of the animals, by respecting IUCN best practice, and that promote the well-being of the Park’s local communities and Indigenous Peoples. A tourist in Mondika, 2018 ©Kyle de Nobrega In addition, to ensure the safety of the gorillas in perpetuity, the Djeke triangle, which includes Mondika, will hopefully soon become part of the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park. To do so, the WCS can count on the support of Rainforest Trust, and will work closely with communities and scientists, will engage with government and logging companies to make sure it becomes a stronghold for the incredible wildlife it harbors. This would be a firm step to safeguard the hard work of all the men and women who spend months, years, and decades in the forest, tracking, observing and studying its wildlife.  “The annexation of the Djeke triangle into the Park is long overdue” reminds David Greer: “it is such a special place, an amazing pristine area, with an unbelievable amount of biodiversity, and an incredible density of chimpanzees and gorillas”.   A special place in the heart of the rainforest “It was a magical experience to be in the midst of all of these animals and observe them close-up without disturbing them” testifies Natashah Shah. “I remember, in 1995, the animals did not try to run away from us but seemed just as curious and eager to get a look at us as we were about them! Those are some of my most cherished Mondika memories.” “The most striking moment I lived in Mondika was when I saw one of Kingo’s female give birth” remembers Patrice Mongo. “It was a little miracle: she was pregnant, we were following them, and it feels like it only took a minute, she just went around a tree, and when she reappeared, she had a baby in her left hand, still attached by its umbilical cord. You need months and months of observation to be able to see this kind of scenes”. “I met my wife in Central African Republic, she was working at Bai Hokou, in Dzanga Sangha, habituating gorillas for WWF” tells David Greer. “We got married in 2001, in the forest, according to the Ba’Aka tradition. The only formal part was exchanging sticks. Then I remember lots of food, drinks, music and dancing. We felt married, bonded through our passion of the forest and our work.” Chloé Cipolletta et David Greer, entourés des pisteurs Mondika, Mokondjo et Ndima, célébrant leur mariage selon la tradition BaAka ©David Greer.   Tue, 10 Aug 2021 09:52:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25091 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25094/Empowering-women-through-tourism-development#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25094 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25094&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25094/Empowering-women-through-tourism-development ‘Maman’ Saida Nola, proud owner of one of the only restaurants in Bomassa, a remote village at the entrance of Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, Republic of Congo ©N.Radford/WCS A new sound can be heard ringing out across the Sangha River in the rainforests of northern Congo—the clinking of cups and cutlery at Saida Nola’s new restaurant. ‘Maman Saida’ as she is affectionately known in Bomassa village started her restaurant, ‘La Main de Dieu’, on the banks of the river in January 2019. At the time, it was the first real place that people could find a meal in the village outside of their homes.   “I noticed that the fishermen who travel up and down the river would stop for the night in the village, but they would struggle to find something to eat. I saw an opportunity and decided to innovate,” she remembers. Two years later, people are queuing out the door to get a seat in the cozy 12-seat restaurant. “Often, I’m so busy that as soon as one customer finishes his food, another one is right there waiting to take his seat!” Many of Saida’s customers are the staff of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) who work at the headquarters of Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park a short walk outside of the village. As part of a long-term vision to protect wildlife and wild places by engaging with communities, WCS collaborated with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for almost three decades. Today, WCS works to protect the unique biodiversity of the park through a Public-Private Partnership with the Congolese Government. At over one million acres, the park is one of the largest areas of intact lowland tropical rainforest left in the Congo Basin. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012, it is a remarkable refuge for endangered rainforest species, such as lowland gorillas and forest elephants, in a region plagued by poaching and habitat loss. “I used to bake bread, but it was hard to grow my business,” Saida recounts. “I started the restaurant slowly. At first, I just offered grilled chicken from a barbecue, with outdoor seating”. In mid-2020, as a member of the Association of Women United for Biodiversity in Bomassa, she was approached by the park with a new capacity-building opportunity. WCS and USAID had just embarked on a collaboration to help the park develop its tourism potential. Under this partnership, WCS and USAID a two-week hospitality training at a restaurant and hotel in a nearby provincial town. This training improved local people’s capacity to capitalize on the future expansion of the tourism sector. “The training opened my eyes to new possibilities. I thought, why can’t I do this in Bomassa? It gave me the confidence to expand and improve my restaurant,” says Saida. The Women’s Association played a key role in supporting her, especially by providing access to a savings scheme that released enough money to construct a proper restaurant for her customers. Her neighbors pitched in to help her with tables, chairs, and cutlery; and, in August 2020, the refurbished restaurant reopened to acclaim. “The restaurant has become more than just somewhere to eat. People come here from all across the village to sit and talk. It’s become a real meeting place for the community,” Saida said. In a culture where women are often constrained by traditional gender roles, she is a role model for a better future. She is even inspiring some of her customers to try foods that they have not eaten before. “This restaurant has given me a name. I now have status in the community,” she said. “Many of my young male customers are eating vegetables for the first time—and enjoying it!” With the help of the Association of Women United for Biodiversity in Bomassa, Maman Saïda has been able to open a 12 seats restaurant, and she plans to expand ©N.Radford/WCS The Association of Women United for Biodiversity in Bomassa was created in 2017 by a group of local women with the support of WCS and USAID. It has now become the driving force of success for local women. “It has created a real ‘can-do’ attitude in the village,” explained Parfait Bakabana, the Park’s Head of Community Development. “The structure of the association enables women to provide a lot of support to each other, sharing ideas, projects, and even their finances through a Likelemba savings group.” ‘Likelemba’ is a Lingala word that describes a communal savings group concept. Each group contains 3 to 50 members who make monthly deposits, and members take turns making withdrawals. In a culture where many manage their finances day-to-day, it provides essential injections of capital at critical moments in people’s lives. Now, Saida’s restaurant is providing delicious meals for dozens of satisfied clients each day. But it has also brought her family a long-sought sense of financial security. She and her husband, a park employee, now feel much more secure about the futures of their eight children, half of whom are still students. “The restaurant is busy all the time, and money is coming in regularly. This helps us manage our finances throughout the month.” Saida’s story is one of empowerment and sustainable change that was created by long-term partnerships between USAID, WCS, the Congolese Government, the park, and local communities. And her journey is far from over since the park is working to attract more and more tourists over the next few years. Up to 15 percent of the park’s budget may soon come from tourism, with a 30-fold increase in tourism revenue going to local communities; and a community-run campsite and two high-end lodges will soon be built at park entrance. “I would love to sign a contract to provide catering services for the park or even the new tourism lodge they are planning to build at Mombongo,” said Saida. Maman Saida—a proud restaurateur and successful entrepreneur—plans to keep expanding her restaurant. She wants to invest in a refrigerator so that she can offer a wider range of dishes and increase the number of tables; and her big ambition includes hiring a staff member to help her with her thriving business. Mon, 08 Mar 2021 10:12:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25094 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25095/Nestor-Massembo-20-years-after-the-Megatransect#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25095 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25095&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25095/Nestor-Massembo-20-years-after-the-Megatransect Now assigned in Mbeli Bai, Nestor works mainly at monitoring wildlife ©D.NZoulou/WCS Twenty years ago, the legendary expedition across Central Africa known as the “Megatransect” was coming to an end. This large-scale study of the Congo Basin’s forest brought unprecedented international attention to this biodiverse and endangered ecosystem. Among those who took part in this unique adventure, Nestor Massembo, a Ba’Aka tracker, has since then dedicated his life to wildlife conservation. “Don’t worry about my grey hair” says Nestor Massembo “I would do it again. Even at my age, I could do it again. Undertaking the Megatransect was nevertheless a pretty serious adventure: the team, led by ecologist Michael Fay, crossed 13 forests in Central Africa, walking from northern Congo to the coast of Gabon. Over the course of 460 days, they covered 2,000 kilometers on foot, walking through some of the most challenging conditions on the planet. Throughout the expedition, they continuously collected ecological data about this little-known ecosystem, that harbors incredible biodiversity, attracting unprecedented attention from media and politics. Nestor Massembo, in Mbeli Baï, December 2020 ©F.Mehon/WCS For Nestor, the adventure started in Makao, a village to the east of Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park. After the Park was created in 1993, a secondary base was created in Nestor’s village. He immediately started to work with WCS. “They were the first real jobs we were offered, and we wanted to know the animals better, we were curious,” he says. He then became a tracker, helping biologist Stephen Blake in his study on forest elephants’ eating behavior. The opportunity quickly became a vocation, and to this day, Nestor still works as a tracker in Mbeli Baï, a forest clearance in the Park, where many species come to drink and rest. “it’s the only job I ever had, with the same daily joy” he says. Nestor and his peers play a crucial role. “We were born here, we grew up here, it’s our world” he explains with pride, “If there was an interest for us, it’s because we know the forest”. Without him, and around ten other Ba’Aka who became his colleagues and friends, nothing would have been possible, as this thick primary tropical rainforest requires sharp, trained eyes to be able to spot the tracks of an animal or to find its feces. As much as he enjoys his current work, the pivotal moment for his career was being part of the Megatransect; a unique adventure, that he’s proud of, despite the hardships. “We had never walked such a big distance, it was hard, we had never spent that much time in the forest, carrying heavy bags,” he says. Nestor, just like all the trackers, was carrying more than 30kg of equipment on his shoulder, on top of helping the team identifying the plants that great apes and elephants eat, and tracking potential signs of human presence. Makao, September 1999, Michael Fay is recruiting the trackers that will help him during the Megatransect. Nestor is among them, the second from the right.  ©National Geographic It was an incredible physical effort. Nestor accompanied Michael Fay to the border of Gabon, walking in the jungle for months on end. “It allowed me to discover the forest and to learn a lot”, he remembers. He went further than ever before, walked unknown lands. “We all were happy to discover the world of others”. During the Megatransect, Nestor felt a growing commitment to wildlife conservation, based on a pragmatic and irreversible fact: “We had seen so much, we couldn’t just go and buy a rifle with what we had earned. We were paid by conservation, we became conservationists”. Nestor, on the right, as seen in the National Geographic documentary recounting the Megatransect ©National Geographic   Around Nestor, four of his closest friends still are trackers. One of them works at the Goualougo Triangle Ape Project, a great ape study in the south of Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park. And his two sons also work there, after learning a lot from their father, and making him proud. “Without us, nothing would have happened the way it did. It’s thanks to our ancestral knowledge. What we did, made all of that possible” he concludes, showing with his arm the Makao base, from where the WCS keeps on studying and protecting the wildlife that lives in, what is still, one of the last remaining patches of pristine forest in the Congo Basin. The route that Michael J. Fay followed, starting from Bomassa, Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park’s main base, in Congo.  ©National Geographic Wed, 23 Dec 2020 10:28:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25095 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25097/Lessons-learnt-from-the-seizure-of-30-Congolese-dwarf-crocodiles#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25097 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25097&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25097/Lessons-learnt-from-the-seizure-of-30-Congolese-dwarf-crocodiles     A released crocodile with the lianas still visible around its mouth (B.Evans/WCS) In late October 2020, 30 Congolese dwarf crocodiles were released into their natural habitat, after having been seized from poachers. This incident highlighted the peculiar trafficking of a poorly known and vulnerable species that is endemic to the Congo Basin. With their legs and mouths bound by lianas, and crammed into bags on the back of two motorbikes, the 30 dwarf crocodiles were travelling towards Impfondo, the capital of the Likouala district of northern Congo, when they are seized by the ecoguards of the Lac Télé Community Reserve. The reptiles, which can spend weeks out of the water without eating, are transported alive to the markets of Ouesso, Pokola or Brazzaville, where they are sold for their meat. The dwarf crocodiles of the Congo are particularly easy to hunt because of their size. “You can almost pick them up,” explains Ben Evans, Director of the Lac Télé Community Reserve. “They can be hunted with a simple hook trap, by reproducing the cry of a juvenile, at night by dazzling them, or found directly in their burrows.” In the Lac Télé Community Reserve, where nearly 20,000 people live, their hunting is traditional. “The dry season makes hunting difficult, the rainy season makes fishing difficult, but crocodiles can be trapped all year round,” explains Ben Evans. In this flood-prone region of northern Congo, where agriculture and livestock breeding are difficult, crocodiles are therefore an easy and essential source of food and protein for the communities. The crocodiles being brought to an uninhabited part of the Reserve (B.Evans/WCS)   But in the face of necessity, they have also become a source of income for some hunters who sell them to the highest bidder. “The main reason for this hunting is the lack of alternative sources of income,” explains Bola Madzoke, who is in charge of the reserve’s ecology department, “poaching is more common in the run up to the new school year, for example. It allows hunters to buy school supplies, bringing in a little bit of money to help solve their problems.” For the traffickers, however, it’s a lucrative business: a crocodile bought at 5,000 CFA francs from a hunter in the reserve can be sold for up to 60,000 CFA francs in a market in a big town. With increasing demand, deregulated hunting practices can quickly threaten the overall population of the species. Between November 2018 and March 2019, 3,257 crocodiles were exported from the Reserve to the big cities, with an average of 10 tonnes of meat per month leaving the reserve. At this rate, how long can the Congo dwarf crocodile survive? “in the long run, there will be a shortage” - Bola Madzoke “Hunters are finding that, as the years go by, they need to expend more effort on their hunts as crocodiles are becoming increasingly rare. They understand that in the long run there will be a shortage,” reports Bola Madzoke. The threat to the crocodile is evident and the dynamics are understood, but due to a lack of detailed studies, putting precise figures on the scale of the problem is difficult. “Freshwater ecosystems are among the most threatened on the planet, and yet they are the least represented in biodiversity research and conservation efforts,” says a 2019 study. Yet this study points out two concerning facts: 88% of freshwater megafauna disappeared between 1970 and 2012, and freshwater animal populations are disappearing twice as fast as terrestrial or marine animals. One of the crocodiles, just after being seized (B.Evans/WCS)   “Congo’s dwarf crocodile is the most traded crocodile in the world that doesn’t fall under a management program” adds Matthew Shirley, Central African crocodile specialist with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, like WCS, Shirley argues that a sustainable hunting programme for Congo’s dwarf crocodile can save the species. The model of sustainable hunting programmes has been proved to work in regulating threats to freshwater megafauna. Systems that regulate the hunting of crocodiles, provide greater security for the species by controlling the number of individuals taken and ensuring long-term, sustainable sources of income for the communities. Aware that the species is becoming rare and that they currently derive negligible benefits from it, hunters in the Reserve are willing to work with WCS to devise a sustainable model for the hunting of dwarf crocodiles that meets their needs. To support this model, WCS is in ongoing dialogue with communities, and has undertaken an inventory of the dwarf crocodile population in Congo. And soon, thanks to a better understanding of this species and the threat it faces, sustainable hunting of the Congo’s dwarf crocodile could, in Matthew Shirley’s words, “enable everyone to benefit more from the crocodile trade, while taking fewer risks, including the crocodiles”. Fri, 04 Dec 2020 10:40:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25097 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25134/Notes-from-the-Field-Floods-in-Congos-Peat-Forests#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25134 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25134&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25134/Notes-from-the-Field-Floods-in-Congos-Peat-Forests People had no choice but to abandon gumboots and moved on to a Venetian style water-taxi service. From the air, the forest in Northern Congo looks like a vast, green carpet, broken only by tree falls and glimpses of streams. At this time of year, if you were to plunge beneath the canopy, you’d be faced with a bizarre mirror-world, with still black water reflecting the forest above and below. In the Congo’s north-eastern forests, rains fall onto deep layers of peat, sitting in a depressed area - the Congolese Cuvette, meaning bowl in French. Over the course of a few months, rivers rise, and peaty, black waters creep up under the dense forest canopy until the dry season when water recedes. This annual rise is a key part of this ecosystem’s lifecycle - when fish migrate out of river channels deep into the forest to reproduce, ensuring the long term subsistence of most people in the reserve. These predictable cycles also provide people with a stable window within which to plant crops, set nets and gather building materials. Though data are lacking, this cycle may be a key part in fruiting of swamp forest trees, important sources of food for a broad range of wildlife including the dense population of gorillas found in these flooded forests. This year however, it became clear that the rains would not stop on time. Rain kept falling, and water levels kept rising. Fields of cassava, situated on the few spots of high ground, gradually succumbed to the rising deluge. For weeks, people had to work overtime to rescue their crops so as not to lose their food. “Each day, water reached further and further inland. Not a raging torrent or flash flood, but an unstoppable crawl, too slow to see moving.” Each day, water reached further and further inland. Not a raging torrent or flash flood, but an unstoppable crawl, too slow to see moving. Once the waters reached knee-depth, people had no choice but to abandon gumboots and moved on to a Venetian style water-taxi service, shuttling themselves between houses and offices using dugout canoes and kayaks. At their highest, the floods were the cause of social and humanitarian crisis, inundating entire villages and displacing about 50,000 people from their homes, bringing risks of disease, malnutrition and associated challenges to access to social services. Wildlife too had to adapt and started to encroach into human spaces. At night, torchlight would show catfish and cichlids swimming around the front porch. Hammerkop birds, so-called for the shape of their hammer heads, waded through the garden picking off insects as ants looked for dry spots to rebuild their nests. Insects fled the rising waters; large, black ants built a nest in the shower, waving feelers in fury each time we wish to use it. Snakes wound into cracks in the walls, giving us early morning surprises. A bizarre mirror-world, with still black water reflecting the forest above and below. These events are known in the area - people typically say they arrive once every decade or so. But this year, they say it seems different, part of a permanent change in the climate. All across the continent, floods have devastated vast areas, acutely affecting livelihoods, and ecosystems. The security of people’s livelihoods relies on predictability and diversity, with families tending to spread risk over different activities to ensure that if one fails, another may see them through. Such unpredictability may well mean unforeseen impacts on wildlife and natural systems. Families often use fish and wild meat as a source of quick cash in the event of a family illness or emergency. As extreme weather events return more often, families may need to call upon these sources more and more frequently, or, in a worst case scenario, be unable to do so if the ecosystem is no longer a reliable provider of the needed resources. Fishermen I’ve spoken to have already remarked that their catches have improved, earlier than normal. In the short term, the flood’s aftermath may provide some dividend. As surprises build on surprises, these are likely to be overshadowed by seasons with new rules that fish, forests and fishers find increasingly hard to follow. The security of people's livelihoods relies on predictability and diversity, with families tending to spread risk over different activities to ensure that if one fails, another may see them through. Warmer water over the Indian Ocean has spurred higher rainfall everywhere from the Central African Republic, Kenya to Chad. These extreme high-water events, as well as ‘drought’ years like last years, are likely to become more and more frequent as climate change wreaks its havoc. To help the 20,000 people who live in the Lac Télé Community Reserve adapt to these unpredictable changes, WCS Congo is putting in place sustainable environmental programs that will safeguard this crucial area, while improving the livelihoods of the reserve’s remote communities. Supporting the development of a sustainable fisheries management plan has been one of WCS’ priorities, by helping fisherwomen and men to establish local governance of fisheries activities. If it is not possible to predict climate change, it is in our power to learn how to adapt consequently. Learn more on WCS’ activities in Lac Télé Community Reserve. Wed, 24 Jun 2020 08:32:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25134 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25136/Zoonotic-viruses-preventing-epidemics-by-monitoring-wildlife-mortality#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25136 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25136&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25136/Zoonotic-viruses-preventing-epidemics-by-monitoring-wildlife-mortality Collecting samples from a carcass around Mondika. For over 14 years, the Wildlife Health Programme (WHP) implemented by WCS in partnership with the National Laboratory of the Congolese Ministry of Health, has been working to monitor wildlife mortality and minimize the risks of disease transmission to communities. The project raises awareness among communities in northern Congo and has set up an early warning system for unexplained wildlife deaths that covers more than 30,000 km2. As we have been acutely reminded by the Ebola epidemics in West Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo in recent years, and currently by the COVID-19 outbreak, outbreaks of zoonotic viruses can lead to the loss of many human lives and can bring populations of already threatened wildlife species to the brink of extinction. In the Republic of the Congo, for example, the most recent Ebola outbreak in 2005 had a human mortality rate of more than 80% with 10 deaths recorded. In addition, an estimated 5,000 great apes also died (with a mortality rate of 96%) within a 40 km radius of the Lossi Reserve. While the precise causes remain uncertain, past outbreaks of Ebola in human populations and the recent COVID-19 outbreak appear to have originated from infected animal sources that came into contact with humans. Ebola virus disease (EVD) remains the main cause of the decline of gorilla and chimpanzee populations in Africa, ahead of hunting and habitat loss. Zoonotic disease outbreaks, like Ebola, involve contact between infected animals and people and, in the Congo Basin, that contact is often associated with infected meat. Traditional hunters and gatherers have been identified as key players in the monitoring and surveillance of zoonotic diseases in large tracts of uninhabited forest because they are the first to locate and report carcasses or suspicious behaviours. “If we really want to track animal mortality in wildlife, we need to involve traditional hunters and gatherers in our disease surveillance system. They are the first people to come into contact with animals found dead in the forest.” explains Dr. Alain Ondzie, head of WHP for WCS Congo. Since 2006, the team, composed of Dr. Ondzie, and his assistants, has been tirelessly touring the villages of northern Congo. Their purpose is to raise community awareness of best practices when villagers encounter a wild animal carcass in the forest. In the last 10 years, hunters from more than 260 villages in the departments of Sangha, Cuvette, Cuvette Ouest and Likouala have been engaged in this program. Over 6,660 hunters and thousands more women and children are now aware of the risks associated with coming into contact with dead animals where the cause of death is unknown. As part of the awareness raising sessions, participants are encouraged to take part in a monitoring network to report carcasses they discover. The network covers more than 30,000 km2 of remote forest in northern Congo, an area that is home to more than 60% of the world’s gorillas. These remote areas are far from public health services and Dr Ondzie’s team is often the only source of public health information on Ebola to these forest communities. Dr. Ondzie raising awareness among the community of Libonga. Thanks to this network, 58 carcasses have already been reported, analysed, and tested negative for the Ebola virus at the national laboratory in Brazzaville. Central Africa remains a high-risk region, but the Republic of the Congo, home to the largest population of gorillas, has not experienced an Ebola epidemic since 2005. Moreover, return visits and conversations with village leaders reveal risky contacts with wildlife carcasses are being avoided and reduced. When a hunter reports a carcass, the team can sometimes travel up to 200 km, often on foot through the forest, to safely collect samples from the carcass for testing. Once the sample is collected, it is sent to the national laboratory for analysis and the WHP team returns to the reporting village to reinforce health messages. To increase efficiency, the health program teams are also training teams based at different sites in northern Congo to ensure rapid and safe sampling. Training is essential for taking high-quality samples that can be readily analyzed, and more importantly to ensure the health and safety of sample collectors. Training takes two to three days, during which time Dr. Ondzie and his assistants demonstrate the procedures for safe sample collection. Dressed in full Tyvex biosafety suits, the trainees then practice the strict protocols for several hours and under different scenarios. At the end of the training, sampling kits are stashed on site so that the teams are ready to respond to any carcass report. This year, thanks to the efforts of the health programme, 22 people from the WCS research teams have been trained on the sampling protocol. Mondika's research team is trained to collect carcass samples. Sample analysis is also an essential step to effective zoonoses monitoring. To this end, the health program collaborates with the U.S. National Institutes of Health, and the Brazzaville National Public Health Laboratory to ensure timely sample analyses. In the early days, analysis could take several weeks and needed to be done in a different country. This has now been reduced to two days and is done in-country thanks to the efforts of the various partners. However, two days of analysis does not include the time taken to transport the samples from northern Congo to Brazzaville – leading to diagnostic times that are still too long when it comes to a disease as serious as Ebola. Therefore, WCS is currently working on the implementation of a portable diagnostic tool that would allow real-time testing directly at the site where the carcass is found. Once this system is fully operational, testing time will be reduced from two days to one hour, allowing improved safety measures to be immediately implemented in the event of a positive result. The current coronavirus outbreak is a stark reminder of the need for early warning systems for emerging diseases and zoonoses. These remote forests and the communities that depend upon them are some of the most vulnerable to a future zoonotic disease epidemic: at the frontline of the human -wildlife-ecosystem interface and yet with some of the poorest access to public health infrastructure. The WCS Health Program and its partners are committed to supporting the early warning system it has put in place in these remote areas, to detect as yet unknown zoonotic viruses and in protecting vulnerable communities and biodiversity. This is done thanks to the support of our technical and financial partners who enable us to implement our actions in the field. Fri, 22 May 2020 09:01:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25136 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25138/Rare-giant-pangolin-rescue-in-Congo#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25138 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25138&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25138/Rare-giant-pangolin-rescue-in-Congo   A giant pangolin, the world’s most trafficked scaled mammal, was rescued and later cared for by our teams. Thanks to the collaboration between experienced pangolins carers from our Wildlife Health program teams in Congo, the Tikki Hywood Foundation and the Sangha Pangolin Project in Central African Republic, this species highly sensitive to stress, and generally dying a few hours or days from capture, was for once successfully reintroduced in the Nouabale-Ndoki National Park. On 25th January, 2020, an unexpected call reached WCS teams based in the town of Ouesso in Northern Congo – a giant pangolin seized from poachers needs help. Dr Alain, veterinarian for the Wildlife Health Program was on mission and could not be reached. An unexpected and delicate task awaited our technical advisor now in charge in caring for the animal. Indeed, these insectivorous and nocturnal mammals tend not to survive well in captivity. Feeding exclusively on termites and wild ants, pangolins suffer a lot from stress and dehydrate very quickly often leading to their rapid death following capture. The confiscated female had already survived two weeks of poacher’s confinement, which was already a miracle. “Keep her hydrated and release her as soon as possible.” Keeping a giant pangolin weighing 18kg and measuring 110cm in length for a whole night required a collective effort and perfect collaboration between the WCS teams and the experts from the Tikki Hywood Foundation, who guided her over the phone. The advice was simple: “keep her hydrated and release her as soon as possible.” The pangolin, curled up into a ball at the bottom of a large plastic laundry basket - had been found with a jute bag stuck in her scales. At first non-moving, the mammal quickly crawl out of the basket only to find the closest dark corner under a palm tree to hide. « Incredibly determined to be leaving, she was moving fast and steady, looking for a way to get away.”,told the team. Gently, our newly appointed pangolin carer led her into an empty room, trying all the way to help her get rid of the plastic filaments tangled in her scales before providing her with a long awaited for water bowl. Once done, the days new mascot finally fell asleep. In the middle of the night, our teams are awakened by the housekeeper: the pangolin is trying to run away! Trying to break out of the room, the determined pangolin is climbing up a desk to reach the window and tear off the mosquito net, leaning against the louvered panes that were breaking under her weight, spilling broken glass before the team could reach out to her. Chances of survival in an urban center are not high for a giant pangolin roaming alone. Curled up in a defensive position, the pangolin is finally picked up and brought back to her temporary bed. “Incredibly determined to be leaving, she was moving fast and steady, looking for a way to get away.” At first light of the morning, it is finally time to start the journey towards freedom. The scaly anteater is transported by car for four long hours, all the way to the edge of the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, a jewel of wilderness at the northern end of the Republic of Congo. On arrival, she is directly examined by Dr. Alain who was finally informed and could join with the team. Upon examination, it is determined this is in fact a juvenile female giant pangolin. Despite a slight injury on her left leg, she is still shockingly healthy for an animal held captive for so many days. Time has now come to rejoin the forest. Once on the ground, the animal seems to take a few seconds to get her bearings. That’s it, she’s free! Ignoring the termite mound offered to her, the female heads directly towards the shade of the leaves and their safety. Hearing her rustling around and seeing her through the undergrowth, the team decides to leave her in peace, and leaves the termite mount in place so that she can come back and feed easily once she is alone. The release is a success. Thanks to the determination of a dedicated many, from drivers, to veterinarian and pangolin experts, to project managers and technical advisors, and to the incredible coordination between these actors, this female is now back in her habitat and in a protected area hopefully ensuring her survival to adulthood if the rule of life and nature allows. This female pangolin only survived thanks to her determination and strength. Most illegally traded wild mammals on the planet, pangolins are poached for their meat and their scales. Its is estimated that more than a million pangolins have been snatched from the wild in the past decade. In 2016, the 186 countries party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the treaty that regulates the international wildlife trade, voted to ban the commercial trade in pangolins. Sat, 15 Feb 2020 09:20:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25138 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25141/Meet-Marcel-Ngangoue-winner-of-the-African-Ranger-Award#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25141 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25141&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25141/Meet-Marcel-Ngangoue-winner-of-the-African-Ranger-Award   Marcel Ngangoue won the African Ranger Award 2019, which recognizes and supports the achievements and efforts of rangers working to combat the precipitous decline of Africa’s wildlife species due to poaching, habitat loss, and the illegal wildlife trade. Marcel got his start at NNNP as deputy to the Park warden at the time,, and then as the first anti-poaching leader for the Project for the Management of Ecosystems in the Periphery of the NNNP (PROGEPP), starting in 1998 and expanding to cover the Kabo, Loundougou, and Pokola concessions for anti-poaching and buffer zone security for NNNP. He worked as the anti-poaching leader with WCS in PROGEPP and then left to attend a 2-years course at the Wildlife School of Garoua in Cameroon. When he returned he was appointed to the Special Anti-Poaching Unit (USLAB) of the Betou-Missa concession North of NNNP. He came back to NNNP in 2015 as Park Warden. Marcel Ngangoue, (standing left at podium) with other rangers at ceremony. Credit: Flore Monteau/WCS Why did you decide to start your career as a ranger? My father was a lumberjack. Since I was a child, I knew I wanted to work in forestry. I had the opportunity to attend the National School of Water and Forestry, where I learned the whole chain of forest exploitation, from layering, counting, sorting, felling, marking and cutting, to evacuation. During my studies of the wood industry I was introduced to the field of conservation. My passion has always been protected area management but after graduating from the Garoua Wildlife School in Cameroon I discovered my love for protecting wild animals. I realized that they were being excessively massacred by men, and from then on I committed myself to the sustainability of protected species. “In a world where population growth goes hand in hand with the demand for space, a protected area is an oasis.” What are your general duties? Working to conserve a protected area is a demanding responsibility, as I must focus on both improving the well-being of nature and local population. The most important thing is to remember what the protected area used to be and to maintain a long-term vision of what the protected area can be in the future. This is not an easy task. In a world where population growth goes hand in hand with the demand for space, a protected area is an oasis. I am responsible for ensuring the balance between conservation and resource development. My work ranges from maintaining good relationships with local populations, to welcoming tourists, planning projects and monitoring protected species. What are the main difficulties you face in your fight against anti-poaching? Ndoki is one of the world’s primary forests that has never been exploited or inhabited. It is part of the Tri-National de la Sangha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But protecting Ndoki is increasingly difficult, as poachers apply very complex operating modes with the use of military weapons. In 1996, at the very beginning of my conservation career, when I was working as Assistant Conservator for the Eastern Sector of Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, we were conducting a field patrol to the North-East of the park. We ran into an ambush, followed by an exchange of fire between poachers and our team. Fortunately, no one was injured, despite the fact that the poaching group was larger and better armed than we were. Today, thanks to the successful management of the Nouabalé-Ndoki Foundation, a public-private partnership between WCS and the Congolese government, the elephant population has remained stable since 2006. “Protecting Ndoki is increasingly difficult, as poachers apply very complex operating modes with the use of military weapons.” What has been the most moving experience during your career? In 2016, after months of investigation supported by law enforcement, our teams spotted the leader of one of the largest poaching gangs in the region, Castro, during a hunt. He was arrested and sentenced to 3 years imprisonment. But while he was transferred to prison, he managed to escape from the police and disappeared without ever serving his sentence. Castro was still on the run—seizing his ivory and gunflights with his new gang, the frightening “Guyvanho”, was still frequent. We arrested him again in 2017 and he was sentenced to 5 years in prison. However, after a week he managed to get released and he went back to the Park to continue poaching. In May 2019, his group shot at a mixed mission of law enforcement and eco-guards. A police lieutenant was seriously injured and a female eco-guard from the National Park was hurt. Finally, Castro was arrested in July 2019. We hope that this time he will serve his full sentence. My last painful experience was the death of one of my eco-guards in 2018. It was during a patrol mission south of Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, in the peripheral area. He had left his tent during the night to carry out his mission and was bitten by a snake. He did not survive the bite. What does the African Ranger Award mean to you? After 23 years as a forest warden, the African Rangers Award is the crowning achievement of this work. For me, it is a symbol of recognition, and validation and hope for the men and women who defend nature. I call on the future generations of rangers who will take over the protection of protected areas: be passionate and have confidence in yourself, because the sun will rise. I am well aware of the inadequacy of national regulations and that the ranger profession is not always valued here. I urge the government to continue promoting training and development of eco-guard management through international partnership, for better visibility of this noble profession. For the new eco-guards I say: let us all line up for future battles, our conservation ideals will win.   Thu, 12 Dec 2019 09:51:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25141 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25145/Scientific-research-an-essential-tool-for-the-conservation-of-forest-elephants#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25145 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25145&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25145/Scientific-research-an-essential-tool-for-the-conservation-of-forest-elephants For more than 25 years, scientists have  been monitoring, studying and observing Mbeli bai’s wildlife in the Nouabalé-Ndoki national park. The Mbeli study is named after the bai , or clearing, where the research is conducted. Forest elephants, a still little known and often overlooked sub-species, are frequently observed in this unique landscape. The Mbeli study has contributed essential  knowledge to the development of improved elephant conservation strategies that  better address the threats posed by ivory trafficking, poaching and habitat fragmentation. The Mbeli bai study site is a natural swampy clearing of about 15 hectares that offers a unique opportunity to observe species such as West African lowland gorillas and forest elephants in their natural habitat. WCS was one of the first actors to understand the importance of bais and the opportunity they represent for species monitoring and understanding of the tropical forest ecosystem. Among several bais identified in Central Africa, Mbeli Bai, with its aquatic vegetation, offers animals precious minerals in the bai bed that are difficult, if not impossible, to find elsewhere, in the forest. WCS began research on the site as early as 1993 initially focusing on gorillas at a time when almost no knowledge of them existed. Since then, the studies diversified and WCS has developed specific studies on the elephants visiting Mbeli bai. To date, 563 forest elephants have been identified. Their monitoring has even led to the exciting observation of elephant movements between Mbeli Bai and the neighbouring Sangha Bay in the Central African Republic, two sites of critical ecological importance. In 2018, observations in Mbeli Bai recorded more than 3500 visits from 139 different elephants, 3 births and 6 immigrations. A total of 563 individuals are now known to the WCS research team. These figures are particularly encouraging because they show a stable population of elephants. How and why should we continue to observe them? The stages of decomposition of a carcass, an anti-poaching weapon From September 2017 to May 2018, camera traps were installed close to an elephant carcass on the edge of the bai. The objective? Study the rate of decomposition of elephant carcasses in order to provide the ecoguards with the information they need to better estimate the exact date of elephant death in the future. This valuable knowledge allows for improved assessments of poaching pressure in the park and its periphery thus leading to better implementation of anti-poaching strategies. Understand their reactions to assess risk areas How do elephants, who live and interact in a complex social system, react to the sight of a carcass of one of their own? Do they avoid or approach the area? Do they linger? Do they respond differently, depending on their age and gender? Today, no one knows how elephants react to poaching events that take another elephant’s life. Although it has already been observed that several mammalian species are particularly interested in their deceased congeners, the factors that guide this behaviour remain unclear.  Between September 2017 and July 2018, the camera traps recorded 769 visits by forest elephants around a carcass near the bay, 91 of which were elephants known to the WCS scientists. The results of this study will allow us to better understand the reaction of elephants to poaching and will also help WCS identify areas that could be targeted  by poachers in the future. Calculate their number by observing their friendships Population size is often difficult to determine for species like elephants who only gather  together periodically. This is  yet another reason why Mbeli’s study of elephant social structures and behavioural variations is so important. In the past, scientific research focused only on genetic diversity and inbreeding. Today, the study of behavioural and cognitive plasticity is also essential and complements  the study of behaviour and health. As part of his scientific training, a junior Congolese WCS research assistant collected 80 hours of video and 3033 "scan" samples of different groups of individuals observed during the 191 visits made by 93 different individuals. Valuable data that, once analysed, will map the different connections between elephants, their family ties, the friendships that form within the group as well as group stability, coordination and movement. Monitoring the evolution of forest elephant numbers is essential to the continued growth of knowledge and understanding of these magnificent animals. Mon, 12 Aug 2019 10:38:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25145 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25147/Securing-a-brighter-future-for-bongo#Comments 0 https://congo.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=24908&ModuleID=55067&ArticleID=25147 https://congo.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25147&PortalID=255&TabID=24908 https://congo.wcs.org/Newsroom/ID/25147/Securing-a-brighter-future-for-bongo With their rich red flanks dissected by perfect, white stripes, bongo are one of the most striking antelope in Africa. During recent surveillance flights over the Nouabale-Ndoki National Park, a large herd of bongos was observed in one of the area’s forest clearings – a very rare sighting. This charismatic species, suffered a severe, local population decline in 1997. The die-off, which spread across the forests of northern Congo, was caused by an outbreak of biting, Stomoxys flies. The flies drove the largest forest antelope to exhaustion, placing them at higher risk of predation and sapping them of the energy needed to feed and reproduce. Bongo numbers fell rapidly. In some bais where Bongo were once regular visitors, researchers recorded a complete disappearance of the species. At the same time bongo were being sought after by trophy hunters in the area. Trophy hunting comes with its pros and cons. If done sustainably, and in collaboration with local communities and conservation authorities, hunting could bring needed jobs to the area and protect wildlife. But unsustainable hunting practices can be detrimental. Each year the hunting company operating in the Nouabale-Ndoki National Park periphery was given a hunting quota of 15 bongos, yet no accurate bongo population estimate existed for the area. This quota seemed high due to the generally low population densities of bongo, and their habitat specificity. Had the area’s bongo population fully recovered from the Stomoxys fly die-off? How many remained in the area? And was an annual offtake of 15 bongos sustainable? To find some answers, The Nouabale-Ndoki National Park research department launched a specific project to determine bongo abundance in order to help the Congolese Government set guidelines for sustainable hunting practices in the area. Because bongos are so rare and elusive, the usual methods for estimating wildlife abundance don’t work, so a grid of camera traps was set up to be able to more reliably count the area’s Bongo population and determine their population structure. Over two years pairs of camera traps were moved across a grid covering almost the entire Kabo concession, including known bongo hotspots. Each pair of cameras was placed to capture the unique striping pattern on both sides of the bongo, allowing researchers to identify individuals and note when and where they were recaptured. This allowed the researchers to estimate the number of bongo in the safari hunting concession. Further modelling allowed a better understanding of the consequences of different levels of hunting and potential future outbreaks of Stomoxys flies on the population. Following the completion of the study, the report presented to the Ministry of Forestry Economy was validated and the proposed quotas adopted as of August 2017. Not only did the Ministry reduce bongo and buffalo hunting quotas from 15 to 3 and 5 respectively per annum, but after looking at the results of the survey they concluded that previous quotas were unsustainable and decided to also reduce quotas of all species on the Safari hunting list, including several duiker species and red river hogs. The Nouabale-Ndoki Foundation researchers who led the study were trained in camera trapping survey techniques and analysis, together with two agents from CNIAF (Centre National d’Inventaire et Aménagement des Ressources Forestières - CNIAF). The two CNIAF representatives that completed this training developed a strong enough understanding of the study that they played an important role in presenting and defending it to the Ministry. This strong collaboration between the park and government authorities resulted in a win for wildlife. Next month, when the hunting season once again opens, the trophy hunters will return to their concession in the park periphery. Now, if hunting laws and quotas are properly enforced, there is hope that that Congo’s future generations will continue to witness these spectacular herds of rare bongo antelope in the area’s bais. Fri, 17 May 2019 14:42:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25147