The New Gorilla Reserve at Mbuhi

During the years 1920-1940, several gorillas were captured between Alimbongo and Bingi. Alimbongo is located in the southwest of a bamboo forest which covers the highlands west of Lake Edward. Now that forest is limited to Mt. Kyabirimu (Mt. Tshiaberimu). All the bamboo forest which still existed
40 years ago has been destroyed. Only small areas with bamboo remain between cultivated fields at an altitude of 2,000-2,250 m.
Around 1970, the local population realized that the gorillas were disappearing in that area because of the destruction of their habitat. The human population increased because of transplantation programs introduced in the 1950s: MIPI (Migration of Indigeneous Populations) and sporadic actions under the supervision of the Butembo Diocese (Catholic Church). In 1989, the UGIPA project was launched (Union des groupements pour l'Installation des Populations, financed by Canada Cooperation). In March 1999, another program started with CCFD support (French Catholic Committee for Development). These programs translocated people to the fertile land of Bingi–Vuyinga. In addition, there are migration movements. Some people join their families, others are searching for gold.
Today, a catholic parish is based at Mohanga, 50 km west of Bingi. In that area, Esteban Sarmiento and Thomas Butynski (1997) found evidence of gorillas at Mbuhi: traces on paths used by the apes, some old nests and some parts of a male gorilla skeleton which has recently been identified. Gorillas are not only living at Mbuhi, but also at Mohanga and from Busigha to Kasuo, 60 km from Lubero.
The most important threats to the gorillas are now:

• overpopulation in the mountainous part of Lubero territory (about 300 people/km²),
  
• increasing destruction of the forest as a result of immigration, for example in Bapere collectivity where the population density increased from 3.3 people/km² in 1982 to 10 people/km² in 1998.

Attempts are being made to find a solution to these problems. The aim is to protect the forest in the western part of Lubero territory. Jean Claude Kyungu and Kakule Vwirasihikya visited the area together to sensitize local chiefs regarding the necessity for biodiversity conservation in that area. On April 8, 1999, the chiefs of Batangi and Bamate signed an agreement to set land aside in order to create a new gorilla reserve. The purpose of the reserve is to enable conservation of gorillas and biodiversity, communication about environmental issues, scientific research, sustainable development and community participation. During a public meeting, we explained this to 113 people. The boundaries of the Mbuhi-Busigha Reserve still have to be fixed. A gorilla conservation program will be initiated together with several local developmental NGOs, the biodiversity commission of the province, and the ICCN (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature – Congolese institution for conservation).
From April to September 1999, two exploratory excursions into the area were carried out. The last excursion was conducted by J. C. Kyungu and David Matsitsi and included a systematic search for gorilla tracks and dung as well as direct observation and a socio-economic study. They identified 7 interesting sites in the new reserve:

• a part of Byakili site (20 km from Mbuhi) already identified in July 1999 where 2 groups are living. It is a high mountain.
• Ndiva, a mountain chain subdivided into 3 sub-sectors: the mountains of Makoba, Muleya and Kihuko. In these sectors, primary forest still exists. Gorillas and chimpanzees are concentrated there. We contacted hunters and guides who led us in the forest. They spoke of 5 gorilla groups with 2, 6, 8, 9 and 10 members, respectively. The first group had originally consisted of 5 individuals, but 3 were killed at the beginning of 1999. We were also able to observe gorillas there (the group of 8) near Pasido. Different species of birds, primates and other mammals are living there, and the rivers are full of fish.
• Maini, on the border of Lubero and Walikale Territory, with new forest. Tracks and dung of gorillas were found there recently, and 3 gorilla groups were observed. Moreover, there are buffaloes, elephants, leopards, okapis, primates and many other species, according to reports from the population. This site is a long mountain chain from Kasumba to Mutenda.
• Mutenda, a very high mountain between Lutunguru, Majengo and the beginning of the mountain chains of Maini, with primary forest. It is an important site for gorillas. Gorilla movements between Mutenda and Maini were observed.
• Kiranga near Byakili, where volcanic activity was discovered. It seems that one of the 3 gorilla groups from Byakili uses this area as far as Kitowa and other sites.
• Bilate, 17 km from Lutunguru toward the south. We have not yet visited this site. The local people informed us about the presence of gorillas, living either in pairs or alone, as members of their families had been killed in previous years. There are old gorillas in Sake who are less aggressive to human presence. Some chimpanzees reportedly live north of Muhanga.
• Kasugho, the cave of Katwa ka Ndonga, a special site. This cave contains seats in the rock, rooms in several floors and animals, especially bats. Chimpanzees live near the cave. Not far from the cave are the falls of Kasugho with a height of at least 10 m. The Kasugho site is of interest for ecotourism.

As a result of this excursion, it was recommended that guides should be trained, surveys should be made of the fauna, flora and ecology of the area, and there should be a veterinary research center. The new reserve will be called Tayna Gorilla Reserve, a community conservation project.

Jean Claude Kyungu and Pierre Kakule Vwirasihikya

Jean Claude Kyungu led an ecology NGO between 1994 and 1999. Since 1997, he has been the North-Kivu consultant on biodiversity. He headed the Tayna Gorilla Reserve and is now Project Manager for the Mt. Tshiabirimu Gorilla Project.
Pierre Kakule Vwirasihikya has been working in the Virunga National Park since 1982 and became a Senior Warden in 1988. He took part in gorilla monitoring in the park. Currently, he is both the Tayna Gorilla Reserve Coordinator (since 1998) and the UGADEC Executive Secretary (since 2002). He won the ASP Conservation award in 2002.

The outline of the reserve changed in the meantime. A new map is presented at the Tayna Overview.

Tayna overview

Homepage