News from the Kahuzi-Biega National Park

March 2004: In spite of the instability that continues to weaken the east of the country, the management of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park has been able to regain control of almost the entire park. Following the re-opening of the last patrol posts of Kalonge, Musenyi and Lemera, all in the high altitude sector, our rangers have been constantly present in the sub-stations of Nzovu and Itebero since February 18, 2004. These sub-stations had been abandoned when hostilities broke out in October 1996.
Therefore, this is the first time in 8 years that our staff has regained control over the entire area of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park.
However, it has to be said that in certain small pockets, where insecurity is still predominant, the work will essentially concentrate on public awareness and development activities around the park and will take the greatest possible care. We hope very much that all forces will cooperate with us.

Mining in the Park
According to first reports from our staff posted in the sub-stations of Nzovu and Itebero, 90 mines are still active inside the park. They produce mainly coltan, cassiterite and gold. This excludes the site in the high-altitude part of the park (on the border between the Kahuzi-Biega National Park and the Kalehe territory), which is under the control of the "Bakobwa" militia.
In Itebero, 50 mines have been counted, with 4,400 miners, and in the Nzovu Sector, there are still 40 mines with 3,600 secret miners. In total, there are more than 8,000 persons illegally digging for minerals in the park at the moment. There is a strong demand for cassiterite, and this seems to have overtaken the demand for coltan. Probably the price for cassiterite has recently increased on the global market.
To make matters worse, certain mine owners hold contracts of sale that were signed by the country’s authorities, who do not know where the mineral resources originated. These dealers are well-known in Bukavu; their purchase counters are installed everywhere close to the park.
On February 26, 2004, we were able to reach an agreement as to the evacuation of military personnel from all ranger posts in the interior of the park, and especially in the part of the park visited by tourists. The program of mixed patrols has been extended to include monitoring of the park and the safety of through traffic. Since February 26, all camps of the former occupiers, i.e. the troops, have been burnt.
Cleaning patrols have been organised in order to collect rubbish, batteries, plastic and other waste from affected areas, including those around the old camps where hundreds of metal snares were found.
At the moment, more funds are needed in order to reinforce the monitoring of the park, whose integrity we have re-established.

The Gorillas
Currently, 7 gorilla families are monitored in the Kahuzi-Biega National Park. There are 2 groups that can be visited by tourists:

Mugaruka 2 individuals
Chimanuka 20 individuals

In addition, 5 families are under observation:

Langa 6 individuals
Mpungwe 6 individuals
Birindwa 9 individuals
Mufanzala 16 individuals
Ganywamulume 14 individuals

Total: 73 gorillas

On January 6, 2004, an interaction took place between Mugaruka and Chimanuka, which ended in the transfer of the only female who had remained with Mugaruka; after that, the silverback Mugaruka remained with only one juvenile male. On December 31, 2003, twins were born in the Mufanzala group. In January, a baby was born into the Chimanuka family.

5 July 2004: In the meantime, 16 out of 40 mines in the Nzovu Sector have been closed.

Bernard Iyomi Iyatshi and Carlos Schuler

Bernard Iyomi Iyatshi is a specialist in wildlife management. He has worked for nature conservation in the Democratic Republic of Congo for 22 years, for example in the national parks Salonga, Maiko and Kahuzi-Biega. In August 2002, he became Principal Conservator of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park.
Carlos Schuler first worked as a typographer, then became a windsurfing and skiing teacher. In 1983, during one of his intercontinental travels, he visited Bukavu. Two years later he returned and since 1994 he has been working for the GTZ there.

Kahuzi-Biega Overview

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