Great Ape Trafficking around Kahuzi-Biega National Park

The commerce in bushmeat is seen as the primary threat to the short-term survival of the African great apes. This is a valid assertion in view of what is happening in the protected areas and their vicinity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The sale of bushmeat, and trafficking in various species and wildlife products and by-products, are sufficient proof. With the commerce in bushmeat we can only imagine the number of great ape offspring that become orphans, and it constitutes an indicator of the diminution of the forest and decreases in animal populations. This trafficking has other serious consequences in that it leads to unbalanced ecosystems.

The Problem

Bukavu, the provincial capital of South Kivu in eastern Congo, has become a tragic place for wild animals, particularly the great apes. This started in 1996 as the result of the various wars and repetitive disorders in the Kahuzi-Biega National Park region. Indications of this are visible in the town itself and in the immediate vicinity of the park – various species of animals, especially live monkeys, and carnivores such as baby leopards and cheetahs. Trophies from elephants, gorillas and other primates, in the form of ivory, skulls, pelts, teeth, fingernails, bones, and other things are abundantly and clandestinely found throughout the town. The trafficking in live animals concerns especially the larger primates, gorillas and chimpanzees, and extends beyond the country’s borders. Trafficking in other primates takes place within the country, either from one province to another or within a single province. The animals are kept in enclosures to amuse the children and sometimes end up in the cooking pot.
The Kahuzi-Biega National Park is subject to the looting of its natural resources in a general way and is also being emptied of its wildlife. Since the control of the ICCN extends to only 10% of the park, the park managers are unaware of what is happening in the huge sections located in the lowland regions.

Brief Description of the Park Communication Service

For some years there has been a communication service about the destruction of the park's natural resources. This branch of the anti-poaching campaign outside of the protected area started to become systemized in 1999. The objective is to discourage, by surveillance allied with an environmental communications network, the poaching network that exists upstream and downstream. That is to say from the poachers to the controllers and through all the intermediaries.
The poachers often reside in the villages bordering the park, which is why these activities occur in the vicinity of the park. The affected areas are expanding because they were previously inaccessible for security reasons, and they have been more and more disturbed. Decree No 75/023, issued on July 22, 1975 gave us the authority to act within 50 km outside the park limits. Several Governmental services, including the National Police, Army, Justice Department, Environmental and Security Services, the ONGDS, as well as the politico-administrative authorities, collaborate with the Kahuzi-Biega National Park in the collection of information. Thus, all of the park personnel are involved in the collection of information, even though there is a small team that is formally assigned the task. This team has been under my supervision since 1999. The limited experience acquired has enabled us to develop a strategy to dismantle the poaching networks in the vicinity of the park. Nevertheless, some gaps persist on the technical level as the result of the inadequate training of the park personnel directly involved in this activity.

Investigation and Discussion Results

Investigations of the trafficking and detention of wild animals have been limited to the highland sector of the park. The identification phase of the areas involved and the wild animals being held continues up to the present time. Nevertheless, as far as the featured animals of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park are concerned, and those under the protection of the Washington Convention (CITES) that was ratified by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, these are being recovered in a peaceful manner or with the assistance of the law enforcement authorities. Of course, these actions are always accompanied by environmental information meetings.
Insofar as the trafficking in gorillas is concerned, seven networks have been exposed by park teams since 1999. Apart from the baby gorilla Bitorwa, who was recovered and died shortly afterwards, others were killed and it was the bones, skulls, and pieces of raw and cooked meat that served as evidence. The park communication service is still providing data on the networks trafficking in baby gorillas, but these networks are so strong, complex, and protected that the recovery of the young animals is impossible.
As to chimpanzees, they are heavily traded and their marketing is guaranteed. Since 1999, 16 live chimpanzee trafficking networks have been uncovered in the park. Eight animals have been identified and six recovered. Only one animal, which was deemed compatible, was left in one of the enclosures. Since these animals are totally under the protection of CITES, they are temporarily being kept at the CRSN in Lwiro, until a more permanent solution can be found. Two of the six chimpanzees recovered by the Kahuzi-Biega National Park died shortly thereafter. Jef Dupain reports that at Eboumetoum (Dja/Cameroon) a whole chimpanzee costs between 25,000 CFA and a quarter costs 5,000 CFA. In the town of Bukavu, a whole, smoked chimpanzee costs between US$ 5 and US$ 10, depending on whether it is sold in the market or delivered to a home. According to persons detained for trafficking, a live chimpanzee intended for trade costs much more.

Present Situation of the Chimpanzees Held at Lwiro

Four chimpanzees are currently being held at Lwiro where accommodation and security facilities are available. Within the Biology Department of this research center there is a great ape service that contains appropriate human resources, equipment, and infrastructure.
When the chimpanzees are recovered by the park services they are often in poor health. They are rendered fragile as the result of being held for long periods in the villages, under poor conditions (inappropriate diet, human contact, absence of shelter and care). Fortunately, the CRSN is specialized to care for these animals. Research personnel prepare diagnostics based on laboratory examinations, followed by medical treatment and proper diet. Park and center personnel keep records for the great apes. The files contain information concerning the origin of the animal, and details pertaining to its capture, detention, laboratory results, and so on... Data concerning parasites, pulmonary and dental information is also included. Overall, it may be said that the animals are healthy as a result of the favorable conditions under which they are being maintained.

Looking to the Future

The strategy of this activity at the Kahuzi-Biega National Park is being enhanced by seeking a blending with the activity of the center. Only financial feasibility remains a problem.
Under present conditions at the park, only the Lwiro Center is appropriate for receiving these animals. Unless we hear to the contrary from the conservationists who read this, the CRSN with its specialists, laboratories, and a small forest will continue to assist in restoring the animal to a good physical and biological condition, to reassure it and readapt it to life in the forest so that it may be returned to the national park. In addition, if it is not an animal that is susceptible of being contaminated by man, it can be returned directly to its natural habitat.
For scientific research purposes, environmental training and study, some animals need to stay at the Lwiro Center in a sort of foster care, orphanage or zoo setting. Persons of good faith, who understand our cause, can assist the Kahuzi-Biega National Park and the Lwiro Center in achieving this objective. The Research Center and the CRSN remain the institution qualified to provide information on the biological state, ethology and other fundamental aspects of these animals in captivity.
All this does not prevent the park from continuing to appeal urgently to the international scientific community to act to slow the trafficking of protected wild animals throughout the world.

Chantal Shalukoma

Chantal Shalukoma has been working for the Kahuzi-Biega National Park since 1992. She is especially involved in public awareness campaigns for nature conservation.

Kahuzi-Biega overview

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