Grauer's Gorilla and Other Wildlife in the Maïko South Region
At more than 10,000 km² in size, Maïko National Park (MNP) is the largest lowland forest park in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and is widely recognized as an important site for the conservation of Grauer's gorilla, chimpanzee, okapi, forest elephant, forest buffalo, giant forest hog and the Congo peafowl. Despite such recognition, MNP has received very little national or international support since its creation in 1970 and its function as a protected area has been limited by its inaccessibility, the long term presence of anti-government rebels in the south and central sectors, and almost 10 years of civil war. Consequently the current status of its fauna remains largely unknown. Since 2003, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (DFGFI) has supported a major rehabilitation program for MNP in close collaboration with the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN). From February through May, 2005, as part of this program, we completed the first stage of a faunal survey of the MNP southern sector aimed at identifying the current status and distribution of large mammals and associated threats, with a special emphasis on the distribution of Grauer's gorilla.
Gorilla Distribution
We conducted approximately 290 km of reconnaissance-based surveys in the
southwestern sector of the park and surrounding areas and our observations
of gorilla nests, trail sign etc., indicate that gorillas are more or
less continuously distributed throughout 1,875 km² of intact forest.
We also confirmed gorilla presence over an area of 125 km² south
of the Kisangani-Bukavu road near the confluence of the Lowa and Oso rivers
(see map). Although gorilla sign was sparsely distributed throughout the
survey region, we encountered concentrations of gorilla sign in several
remote areas typified by steep mountains, deep valleys and numerous treefalls
supporting a dense herbaceous understorey. Using data from transformed
nest site encounter rates, we give a preliminary and tentative estimate
that 600 gorillas (including those individuals not making nests) are found
within the survey region. During the survey we also received reliable
reports from senior park guards and local hunters that additional gorilla
populations exist within and we were able to confirm these reports during
this survey, and they indicate that the occupancy area for Grauer's gorilla
in the Maïko South region is even larger than identified by this
preliminary study.
Our gorilla results contrast sharply with previous data collected in this
sector. In their 1959 eastern gorilla surveys, John Emlen and George Schaller
identified 4 discontinuous and isolated populations in the Maïko
South region, all of which appear to have been outside the current limits
of the national park. Based on surveys conducted between 1989 and 1992,
John Hart & Claude Sikubwabo identified only 2 small and isolated
populations in the Maïko South region and reported the extinction
of at least 3 of Emlen & Schaller's populations (see Schaller, 1963).
In 1998, Jefferson Hall and colleagues reported the extinction of all
gorillas west of MNP and identified gorilla presence in an area of just
100 km² within the park boundaries, with a total population size
estimated to be 33 gorillas.
Our recent results show that populations corresponding to all those identified
by Emlen & Schaller still persist in this region and that gorillas
currently have a wider distribution and are more abundant than previously
estimated. We believe that this area is an important and overlooked site
for the conservation of Grauer's gorilla.
Original
map: DFGFI/Brad Mulley
Current Status of Other Wildlife
Our surveys also reveal that chimpanzees are widespread throughout the
Maiko South region and occur sympatrically with gorillas throughout the
entire area (although the total number of chimpanzee nests found was approximately
50% of that for gorillas). During our census, we identified a total of
35 mammal species (all of which occurred within MNP), and large mammal
sign was encountered frequently on all surveys. Seven monkey species were
observed throughout the region, and red river hog and duiker sign were
identified in all areas. Okapi trail was encountered on 4 of 6 surveys
within the park boundaries (distributed continuously over an area of 625
km²) and in the Mundo area to the west of MNP. Forest buffalo sign was
observed in all areas, although sign was sparse and concentrated predominantly
along watercourses. The MNP was created in part to protect the endemic
Congo peafowl and we were able to confirm the presence of this species
(by call and trail sign) in this sector on four of 6 park surveys and
on one survey west of the park boundary.
The most disturbing trend we observed is a drastic crash in elephant abundance
over the last 13 years. Only three instances of fresh elephant dung were
found within Maiko National Park all along trails leading to "edos"
(swampy, mineral rich clearings frequented by elephants and other large
mammals). Elephant sign was completely absent in adjacent forests. Within
the park we observed the carcasses of 5 elephants slaughtered for ivory
within the last 12 months, and identified at least a 500 km² reduction
in occupancy range compared to observations made in the early 1990s (Hart
& Sikubwabo 1994). This population decline was confirmed by local
inhabitants who reported intensive elephant poaching by militia groups
during the years of insecurity, with ivory reportedly being traded directly
for automatic weapons between rebels and dealers from Kisangani. One local
hunter we interviewed claimed to have shot at least 150 elephants over
the past 8 years within the region. Although local reports indicate concentrations
of elephant activity deeper in the park's interior, we believe that elephants
are in grave danger in this region and without rapid intervention face
imminent extinction.
Human Activity and Threats
Human activity in the region is high. Snares, mines, and hunting camps
were encountered in all areas and rebels still maintain a presence in
several regions of the park. Local communities are extremely poor, amenities
virtually non-existent and food insecurity is widespread. Domestic meat
is rare and a lack of other affordable options means that most rural families
depend almost entirely on trapped wild meat as their primary protein source.
Although we found no widespread forest clearance within the park, we observed
high levels of shifting "slash & burn" agriculture adjacent
to its southern boundary, with large areas of forest being cleared for
the shifting cultivation of manioc, rice and bananas. In this region we
witnessed evidence of crop-raiding by gorillas only 350 m from the Kisangani-Bukavu
road, a cause of significant human-wildlife conflict. Officially this
region sits within the park's buffer zone; however, the limits of the
buffer zone are currently poorly recognized and we are in the process
of delineating its boundaries. Our observations that significant faunal
populations exist adjacent to the park boundary dictates that the development
and enforcement of this buffer zone will be essential in protecting the
region's wildlife and reducing human-wildlife conflict.
Unregulated mining operations (gold, diamonds and cassiterite) are also
common throughout the region. These rudimentary operations are widespread
and continue to attract new miners who place greater pressures on forest
resources. Living conditions within these operations (which may support
up to 250 miners) are extremely basic and sanitation is non-existent posing
a serious health risk to workers and local ape populations alike. Due
to the widespread availability of locally made shotguns and automatic
weapons, bushmeat remains the primary food resource within many mine areas.
Although we were informed that hunters do not generally pursue apes, ICCN
confiscated an infant chimpanzee from a local merchant (subsequently transferred
to the Lwiro sanctuary, Bukavu), and we observed chimpanzee meat on sale
at the Lubutu central market. Further, we collected the skeletal remains
of an adult male gorilla (reportedly killed north of the Lowa River in
1999) from a local practitioner of traditional medicine. We also received
reliable reports that at least 6 adult gorillas had been killed in the
region by military forces since 2002 and that 2 infant gorillas had been
taken from the park during January 2005. During a 15-day survey at Lubutu
central market, bushmeat accounted for 65% of available protein and we
know of at least one buffalo, one elephant and two forest hogs being shot
by military within the park during the survey period. Congo peafowl and
the plumed guinea fowl were also observed on sale along the Kisangani-Bukavu
road, and these principally terrestrial birds are reportedly a favored
and easily trapped protein source.
Immigration, mineral extraction, ivory and bushmeat trafficking is greatly
facilitated by the presence of the paved trans-African highway that runs
along the southern limit of the MNP and serves as both the main trade
route between Kisangani and Bukavu and as an airstrip for several commercial
airlines specializing in mineral transport. As security returns to eastern
Democratic Republic of the Congo and forest areas become secure and accessible,
immigration and forest exploitation is likely to increase. We believe
that increasing settlement, and associated landscape pressures, represent
the most significant and immediate threats to the MNP South Sector and
surrounding forests.
Despite the very real and serious threats facing faunal populations in
this region, this preliminary survey shows that despite years of limited
protection and widespread insecurity, a rich faunal diversity still exists
in the Maiko South region, and this area remains a global conservation
priority. Following this survey, ICCN, with DFGFI support, has been able
to commence the first regular patrols within the Maïko South region
for almost 10 years and we anticipate that ICCN will make this sector
fully operational during 2006. Furthermore UGADEC and ICCN are currently
in discussion with local stakeholders in the Lubutu region who wish to
aid in the creation of a community-based nature reserve adjacent to the
western and southern park boundaries. We believe that a combination of
national park and community based conservation initiatives offers the
best hope in saving this region's unique biodiversity.
Stuart-Christopher Nixon, Emile-Emmanuel Ngwe, Kambale Mufabule, Francine Nixon, Didier Bolamba and Patrick Mehlman
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by Conservation International (CI) through
grants from the USAID Central African Regional Program for Environment
(CARPE), and CI's Global Conservation Fund. Bird identification materials
were generously provided by Chester Zoological Gardens (UK). We would
like to express our gratitude to MNP (South Sector) Chief Warden Justin
Fofolo for facilitating this fieldwork and continued support during the
survey period. Finally without the hard work of ICCN guards M. Assumani,
L. A. Bitumba, N. Amundala, E. Sabiti, C. Byamungo, M. Ngungi, B. Nonbe,
P. Mupenda, K. Mumbere, F. Bwanatembo and our numerous porters and guides
this work would not have been possible.
References
Hart, J. A. & Sikubwabo, C. (1994) Exploration of the Maiko National
Park of Zaire 1989-1992: History, environment and the distribution and
status of large mammals. Wildlife Conservation Society, New York
Hall, J. S., Saltonstall, K. Inogwabini, B. I. & Omari, I. (1998)
Distribution, Abundance and Conservation Status of Grauer's Gorilla (Gorilla
gorilla graueri). Oryx 32, 122-130
Stuart-Christopher Nixon completed a biology degree
at Liverpool University in 2002. He started his work with great apes in
1998 at Chester Zoo and studied western gorillas in the Central African
Republic and Grauer's gorillas in the Tayna Gorilla Reserve during 2001.
Since 2004 he has worked in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a
field scientist for the DFGFI's "Landscape graueri" program.
Emile-Emmanuel Ngwe has almost 25 years experience with ICCN and
is currently adjoint conservator of Maiko National park's southern sector.
Kambale Mufabule is a botany graduate from Kisangani University
and has been involved in field operations at the Tayna Gorilla Reserve
since 2001. In 2004 he became the scientific director of UGADEC.
Francine Nixon first worked in the UK as a teaching assistant for
children with special educational needs. She has since worked at Chester
Zoo and since 2004 has worked in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
as field research assistant for the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International's
(DFGFI) Africa program.
Didier Bolamba has worked for ICCN for over 10 years and is currently
the Chief Warden of Maiko National Park.
Dr. Patrick Mehlman is scientific director and vice president of
DFGFI's Africa programs and has nearly 25 years experience working with
primates. From 1998 to 2001 he was site director of the Mondika research
station in the Central African Republic and since 2001 has directed the
DFGFI Africa programs in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.