Are you aware that the endemic specie “Okapi” lives only in this forest Reserve?? Also it has some relatives such: forest buffalos, elephant, leopard, water chevrotain,

Okapi in Epulu zoo accepts to be touched by human being

With an area of 13,700 sq km and a no significant number of rangers, the management established some patrol posts, temporary base … for fighting illegal activities.

Rangers on parade

A week ago, a chimp was confiscated by rangers from Nzaro sector (East side) from a passenger (poacher), and the animal was transferred in Epulu (the administrative HQ).

This animal specie is totally protected by the Congolese Law, so the arrested poacher shall be prosecuted.

Poor chimp in Epulu

Madam Rosie Ruf is the one in charge of animal breeding in captivity , so she has again unexpected task for taking care of the new arrival. She has already building a cage, and struggling for its feeding.

Are you the one coming to assist Rosie??? Any technical or financially help from you?? Please your help needed!!!!

Somba

Technorati : DRC, okapi wildlife reserve

Virunga
National Park
, an old protected area in
Africa
which was created since 1925 covers different species of mammals and a beautiful landscape

For the last ten years, the park remains under threats of human activity. From illegal establishment, agriculture, wildlife poaching….

To mitigate these illegal activities, the General Direction of ICCN decided to appoint Mr. Emmanuel De Merode from

Belgium
as a Provincial Director of

North
Kivu
Park

.

Emmanuel in action in Rumangabo ICCN Station

The Provincial Direction has set intelligence training as a priority of the moment, so It requested the valuation of Mr. Somba from Okapi Faunal Reserve.

Moreover, a week intelligence training was conducted in Rumangabo ICCN Station near Goma and we remain convinced that the team shall do something to minimize the illegal activity, this means denouncement, searching and so on.

I think a question from a reader who wants to know if really this training shall be sufficient??? Warmly, I can answer by” yes” because for any success, you must begin’.

Mr. Somba in class

Trainers taking note

Thanks

Somba

Technorati : DRC, okapi wildlife reserve

Poor confiscated parrot

Rosy which is dealing with conservation for 20 years in DRCongo especially in Okapi Reserve is the one taking care of this parrot. A part the new arrival parrot, 3 passionate are under her surveillance for years in her house. It is nice when working and hearing some talking from those birds, but sometimes I am annoyed of them because it usually comes and seats on my shoulder when working on my computer in Rosy’s house, it can bite when suspecting you as estrange person, isn’t??

Mm.Rosie Ruf (left) exchanging with Senior Warden of the Reserve

A passionate parrot on branch of tree in Rosie’s house

On my shoulder, it seats and disturbs me.

The new arrival bird was confiscated from a villager at Bandisende a week ago. Until now, it is not familiarized as others in Rosie’s house. Only palm nut constituted its food.

For several years, Rosie is spending money for feeding these parrots. In captivity, she usually feed them with palm nut, maize, …and this can be evaluated US $150, 00/month for 3 birds.

By the way, we supposed to tame, and feed it accordingly. We are facing an unexpected situation, so we need more budgets 0f US $ 100, are you a volunteer???

Somba

As I underlined in my previous blog, these motorbikes should help chiefs for running their activity in their respective area, and also attend meetings in Epulu. Each has a reservoir with a capacity of 9 litters

on front :the five motorbikes

from left: Mr. Mapilanga ( Okapi Reserve commander), Kebe Abdallah ( Administrator of Mambasa)….

Please, your financial contribution is really needed as a running cost of those motorbikes.

Somba

Territory were also invited in Epulu on 18th of February, 2008.

Mr. Kebe (in middle) instructing the Bombo local chief

The aim of giving them motorbikes is one of the recommendations of the network organized by the Reserve on October 2007. This can allow these stakeholders to reach easily Epulu( headquarter of the Reserve ) for meeting, and run accordingly their own administration.

“

Really, It is a pleasure and good initiative from ICCN and his partners .Today I am able to reach all corners of my collectivity and control all illegal activities and then denounce ” said Mr. Apuobo one of the chiefs.

Chief Apuobo during his 5 munites of speach

Kebe Abdallah Mambasa Administrator

The last word of the ceremony was pronounced by Mr. Kebe (Mambasa’s administrator) who appealed all chiefs to collaborate with the Reserve authorities, and safeguard the ecosystem.

We all know that without petrol, these motorbikes cannot work, so we would like your support in terms of petrol. The average consummation is about US $300, 00 for 2 months.

Somba

Technorati : congo, epulu., okapi. wildlifedirect

Absolutely, this is a positive initiative. According to Mama KAVIRA SOMBA who is leading the group, they are planning some activities which should produce income. They’ve started collected money for preparing the International mother day holiday of 08/03/2008. They’re always March, so they need dressing in the same uniform. The sample uniform is there and costs $10 each, and they are 50 wives. Please your contribution must motivate those mums.

from rigth:the uniform blouse showed

Rangers wives during the meeting

This initiative deserves a support from you.

Somba

Technorati : epulu., okapi. wildlifedirect, wildlifedirect

The MAF (Missionary Aviation Fellowship) which is based at moment inKampala is regularly in our region and helps for transport. Madam Rosie Ruf seized the same occasion after spending her 45 days of vacancy in

Switzerland
for coming back for her workplace/Epulu. She is the one running the Gilman International Conservation in DRCongo since 1987, and contributes hardly on the protection of the Reserve

M. Rosy : welcome back in Epulu

M.Rosy welcomed by warden.

Mr. Mapilanga greetings the MAF pilote and takes his seat

People admiring the landing on Epulu airstrip

By this I would like to express in advice my warm gratitude to all of you who shall take this opportunity to finance this activity ( contact with authorities ) which remains important. I stress on it because you know, sometimes local community is destroying protected area by ignorance, so the conservation message supposed to convey it in all levels.

Somba

Technorati : congo, epulu., wildlifedirect

.

In case of emergency, the ICCN jeep intervenes with additional rangers

Truck crossing the Reserve from Beni

Illegal traffic of forest products (hiding in truck)

Bush meat discovers in truck

People carrying on bicycles more than 150kgs

The pression is really weighting on managers since the road is fixed. Otherwise we believe with your technical or financial support we shall win the game.

Exactly we do need a monthly budget of US $ 80, 00 for purchasing 1 carton of sardine and biscuit for feeding rangers during patrols.

Somba

Technorati : congo, okapi, wildlifedirect

I had time to exchange with them about the new house building which was initiated by Rosemarie Ruf of Gilman International Conservation in Epulu.

Reaching the camp around 3 pm, I met chief Makobasi , Issa and their brother in law Kisobe surrounding fire, this witnesses that those guys become lifeless.

From left: Kisobe, Chief Makobasi and Issa

My concern was to exchange idea with those chiefs’ pygmies on their house. Without delaying, Mr. Makobasi told me that it’s a good idea housing them because they are no longer strong for hunting, and go here and there as their relatives; they supposed to be sedentary.

“They already started sleeping in their house because the sheet metal is already fixed” said Makobasi

“This house is a shelter for me and my sons” Issa added

Mr. Somba in red T-shirt chatting with Makobasi, Issa and Kisobe

In fact , the building activity still ongoing and so far the really face:

those pygmies wives belong to Makobasi and Issa’s generation.

The soil is prepared for distempering the house

This charitable works is the effort made by some donors who judged important to help Makobasi and Issa as retired . Sincere thank to you.

Somba

Technorati : epulu, okapi. wildlifedirect, wildlifedirect

health center . I and the Commander Apamolo were out inspecting rangers in West sector of the Reserve. A phone call from Officer Amboya who supervising activity announcing the drama. It’s sad.

Otherwise, the late was married to Jeanette ,father of one boy.

In red blouse,widow Jeannet

During his 3 years working in Okapi faunal Reserve, he was selected among the brave rangers, and each year he was given a special performance accordingly. The late RASHID nicknamed “EKINI” because of his enthusiasm and devotion in football, played as defender exactly on right side. All Okapi team players’ regret this death…

The Reserve is very huge and covers 13,000 square kilometers patrolling only by 63 brave rangers. The calculation demonstrates that each ranger controls 206,3 sq kilometers, but from today we have to share the part controlled by the late to each of us. Really, It is a minus… We shall not forget Mr. Rashid and his effort made for the integrity of the Reserve.

Funeral should take place on 13th of January, 2008 in Epulu ( please let’s take a minute in his memorial ).

in front the coffin of late Rashidi

from left: Mrs. Issa( security service,)Tandele ( Police commander)

Marcel (Deputy assistant of GIC), Somba ( Assistant warden), Amboya

( Community in charge)

The procession moves towards the cemetery

In fact, I were obliged to thank all people who accepted voluntarily coming and consolate the family.

Somba

Technorati : congo, epulu., okapi