Gorilla Journal 17, December 1998
The Mikeno Gorillas - November 1996 to April 1998
The IGCP (International Gorilla Conservation Programme) initiated and supervised a program for the monitoring of the mountain gorillas and for the study of the ecology of the Mikeno (Virunga National Park), after several ICCN staff (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature) had been trained for this purpose. Every gorilla was observed, described and photographed; their characteristics were recorded on 'identity cards'. Subsequently, each habituated animal was named. The history of the former Ndungutse group could be followed during the war and subsequent turmoil. The group contained 25 individuals in 1996, but the silverback and several other group members were killed in May 1997.
What Happened Before
In 1996, the factors threatening the survival of the Mikeno gorillas
included poaching, attempts to trade young gorillas, the decline of nature
conservation organisations' support, insufficient cooperation between
the ICCN and the local population, a lack of revenue from tourism, the
risk of war and the presence of Rwandese refugees.
In October 1996, war broke out in the region. In the gorillas' area, several
military operations were conducted to drive away Rwandan dissidents. Armed
groups continue to terrorize the area to this date (August 1998).
The first of the habituated gorilla families in Jomba was found in December
1996. As the new rulers of the Democratic Republic of the Congo regarded
nature conservation as very important, mixed patrols into the area were
carried out from February 1997, consisting of rangers and military personnel.
Thanks to these patrols, all gorilla families have been observed at least
once a month since the beginning of May 1997 except for the Rafiki group,
which has disappeared.
Before May 1997, the number and composition of the habituated gorilla
groups remained similar to what it was in September 1996. However, 2 young
gorillas were killed in September 1998 by poachers/soldiers operating
in the Jomba area.
The Former Ndungutse Group
On May 18, 1997, this gorilla group came under fire from the military.
The silverback Ndungutse was killed after he had bitten a soldier; the
soldier opened fire and shot 3 other gorillas as well. This event was
followed by dramatic changes. One of them was that the gorillas left their
usual range for several months.
It was not clear which gorillas had been killed. At first, it was thought
that the gorillas might be from the former Luwawa group. Casualties were
estimated to be from 4 to more than 10. Some people thought that the group
might have split or that the members might have joined other groups. Because
of intensive military activities, the rangers were not able to go deep
into the forest.
In October 1997, some members of the family were seen for the first time.
In November, 2 subgroups were found, both led by blackbacks. One was led
by Buhanga and contained 9 animals; the other one was led by Karateka
and consisted of 4 animals. Hence, only 13 of the original 25 group members
remained.
The two groups had similar habits and were ranging through the same area.
They occasionally met and had severe clashes, during which several members
transferred between groups. Among these were
- The female Mawazo, born 1990. In October 1997 she was a member of the
Buhanga group. In November 1997 she transferred to Karateka immediately
after a confrontation. On January 10, 1998, she followed Buhanga after
another contact.
- The juvenile Mutaka switched from Buhanga to Karateka, then to Buhanga
again and finally to Karateka between November 1997 and February 1998.
- The juvenile Bukima transferred from Buhanga to Karateka in November
1997 and February 1998.
On February 23, 1998, a non-habituated silverback called Munyaga took
over. The 2 blackbacks became lone males and have not been seen in their
original range since.
At the moment (August 16, 1998), we know of 6 gorilla groups which can
be visited regularly if security is guaranteed. The Nyakagezi family was
habituated in Congo (and called Faida) but now it stays exclusively in
Uganda. The Rafiki group cannot be observed at the moment because it ranges
in a zone where security is bad. Two non-habituated males, Mapua and Ruzirabwoba,
regularly visit the Jomba area and seek out confrontations with each other
and with the Lulengo family. There have been 4 births since May: 2 in
the Kabirizi group in April, 1 in the Kwitonda group in May and 1 in the
Humba group on July 12. The Rugendo family has split into two. Rugendo
managed to keep 8 members with him while 8 others joined Humba, Rugendo's
son.
Claude Sikubwabo Kiyengo, Evariste Bararuha Ntayomba, Benjamin Ndakazi Lola and Vital Katembo Mushengezi
Claude Sikubwabo Kiyengo
conducted a gorilla survey in the Maiko National Park from 1989 to 1992,
and in 1994 he took part in the gorilla census in Kahuzi-Biega. After
that he worked for the ICCN in Goma and from 2000 to 2004 for the IUCN
program PPP. At the moment he works for IUCN to develop programs that
will be implemented during the next years.
Evariste Bararuha Ntayomba is officer of the rangers in the southern
sector of the Virunga National Park, Rumangabo, and in charge for the
gorilla monitoring as deputy.
Benjamin Ndakazi Lola is officer of the rangers and in charge of
the monitoring of the Mikeno gorillas.
Vital Katembo Mushengezi at first worked in the Ituri Forest for
WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) and has been active in the
Virunga National Park since 1994, also as project leader for Mt. Tshiaberimu
and field assistant for DFGF (Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund) Europe
in North Kivu.
Gorilla Group Sizes and Lone Males in 1998
| March | June | July |  |
 |
|
| Lulengo | 11 | 11 | 11 | ||
| Kwitonda | 10 | 11 | 12¹ | ||
| Rugendo | 18 | 18 | 9 | ||
| Humba | - | - | 10 | ||
| Munyaga | 12 | 12 | 11² | ||
| Kabirizi | 11 | 14 | 14 | ||
| Lone Males | 4 | 4 | 5³ | ||
| Total | 66 | 70 | 72 |
1) One transfer from Nyakagezi
2) Transfer of one to Kabirizi
3) One blackback from Kabirizi
Further development of the gorilla numbers until 2002