New Rangers to Protect Bonobos in DR Congo's Newest Reserve

On August 26, at Basankusu, (province of Equateur), 60 Eco-Guard trainees graduated from the Congolese Institute for Conservation (ICCN), the DR Congo's wildlife and parks authority. These newly graduated Eco-Guards will be in charge of managing and protecting the Faunal Reserve of Lomako-Yokokala (RFLY), home to one of the most important populations of endangered bonobos.

The 60 Eco-Guards selected to participate in this ranger training included eight women and represented different villages and ethnic groups in the Maringa-Lopori-Wamba landscape. Participants were trained in bio-monitoring, patrol tactics, fauna identification, military rules, intelligence, first-aid, physical education, topography, and legislation.

The month-long paramilitary training was carried out by four soldiers of the Democratic Republic of Congo National Army (FARDC) as well at the Technical Director of ICCN, the warden of the RFLY and the ICCN/AWF agent-in-charge of monitoring RFLY.

The graduation ceremony was attended by an enthusiastic local population as well as government and local officials including: Kandj Sangu Pamba, Commissioner of the District of Equateur/Basankusu, Boudouin Morisho Administrator of the Basankusu Territory as well as Roger Basanga Lotutu (represented by his son), and the traditional Chief Boyela/Lomako at Lingunda.

The graduation ceremony was organized by the Congolese Institute for Conservation (ICCN) in partnership with the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) and its partners: SNV Netherlands Development Organization, ICRAF Centre International pour l'Agroforesterie (International Center for Agroforestry), REFADD - Rseau des Femmes Africaines pour le Dveloppement Durable (African Women Network for Sustainable Development), the University of Maryland and the World Fish Centre in the framework of Maringa-Lopori-Wamba project (USAID/CARPE).

After the opening of the ceremony, led by the military parade and accompanied by the Kimbanguiste Symphony Orchestra of Basankusu, the newly graduated Eco-Guards gave a demonstration of their training by lifting a weapon while blindfolded and simulating anti-poaching action. The ceremony was broadcast live by Radio Libert.

The Faunal Reserve of Lomako-Yokokala (RFLY) was created in 2006 to protect the endangered bonobo, a species of great ape. The established 3,625 square kilometer reserve not only offers a safe harbor for the bonobos, but it also maintains critical populations of the endemic Congo peacock, golden cat, giant pangolin, ten species of primates and other key species.

AWF helped establish the reserve with the participation of the Lomako people and supported with funds from silent partners including: U.S Agency for International Development-Central African Region Program for Environment (USAID-CARPE), French Fund for World Environment, Alexander Abraham Foundation, the ARCUS Foundation and the Columbus Zoo.

The reserve, its outskirts and the Maringa-Lopori-Wamba Landscape are part of a larger program that aims to protect and promote biodiversity, while alleviating local poverty through the development of activities alternative to the hunting of bushmeat.

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