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no edit summary
= Site characteristics = <!-- A paragraph summary of physical and geographic aspects of the site, and a table of key information -->
= Site characteristics = <!-- A paragraph summary of physical and geographic aspects of the site, and a table of key information -->
Virunga National Park is located in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and comprises the most biologically diverse protected area on the continent (Virunga National Park n.d.). The national park was first established in 1925 as Albert National Park. In 1960, following the country's independence from Belgium, it was renamed Virunga National Park. In 1979 the site was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (UNESCO 2021).The park is unique with its active chain of volcanoes and rich diversity of habitats. Its range contains an amalgamation of steppes, savannas and plains, marshlands, low altitude and afro-montane forest belts to unique afro-alpine vegetation and permanent glaciers and snow on Monts Rwenzori whose peaks reach in 5,000 m height ([https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/63/ UNESCO]). The park is home to 218 mammal species, 706 bird species, 109 reptile species and 78 amphibian species (Virunga National Park n.d.). It also serves as refuge to 22 primate species, including mountain gorillas (''Gorilla beringei beringei''), the eastern lowland or Grauer's gorilla (''Gorilla beringei graueri'') and the eastern chimpanzee (''Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii''). A third of the world's mountain gorilla population is found in the park. The density of biomass of wildlife is one of the highest on the earth Planet (27.6 ton/sq.km). Among the wide diversity of ungulates found at the site, certain rare species are found, such as the okapi (''Okapi johnstoni''), endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the red forest duiker (''Cephalophus rubidus''), endemic to Monts Rwenzori (Virunga National Park n.d.). The site is a Key Biodiversity Area owing to its global importance to the planet’s overall health and wealth in biodiversity (Key Biodiversity Areas Partnership 2020).
Virunga National Park is located in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and comprises the most biologically diverse protected area on the continent ([https://virunga.org/ Virunga National Park n.d.]). The national park was first established in 1925 as Albert National Park. In 1960, following the country's independence from Belgium, it was renamed Virunga National Park. In 1979 the site was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (UNESCO 2021).The park is unique with its active chain of volcanoes and rich diversity of habitats. Its range contains an amalgamation of steppes, savannas and plains, marshlands, low altitude and afro-montane forest belts to unique afro-alpine vegetation and permanent glaciers and snow on Monts Rwenzori whose peaks reach in 5,000 m height ([https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/63/ UNESCO]). The park is home to 218 mammal species, 706 bird species, 109 reptile species and 78 amphibian species ([https://virunga.org/ Virunga National Park n.d.]). It also serves as refuge to 22 primate species, including mountain gorillas (''Gorilla beringei beringei''), the eastern lowland or Grauer's gorilla (''Gorilla beringei graueri'') and the eastern chimpanzee (''Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii''). A third of the world's mountain gorilla population is found in the park. The density of biomass of wildlife is one of the highest on the earth Planet (27.6 ton/sq.km). Among the wide diversity of ungulates found at the site, certain rare species are found, such as the okapi (''Okapi johnstoni''), endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the red forest duiker (''Cephalophus rubidus''), endemic to Monts Rwenzori ([https://virunga.org/ Virunga National Park n.d.]). The site is a Key Biodiversity Area owing to its global importance to the planet’s overall health and wealth in biodiversity (Key Biodiversity Areas Partnership 2020).
'''Table 1. Basic site information for Virunga National Park'''
'''Table 1. Basic site information for Virunga National Park'''
= Ape status = <!--An overview of ape population status (population sizes, trends, etc.), followed by a table of specific surveys and results -->
= Ape status = <!--An overview of ape population status (population sizes, trends, etc.), followed by a table of specific surveys and results -->
The last mountain gorilla census in DRC, Rwanda and Uganda in the Virunga massif was in 2016. The results showed a total of 266 gorillas found on the Congo side. From then until December 2021, the number of gorillas has increased to over 350 individuals (Agustin, R. S. pers. comm. 2021). The chimpanzee population in the park is unknown. Eastern lowland, or Grauer’s gorillas, are extremely rare in the park; only six individuals are being monitored (Agustin, R. S. pers. comm. 2021).
The last mountain gorilla census in DRC, Rwanda and Uganda in the Virunga massif was in 2016. The results showed a total of 266 gorillas found on the Congo side. From then until December 2021, the number of gorillas has increased to over 350 individuals (Shengeri, A.R., pers. comm. 2021). The chimpanzee population in the park is unknown. Eastern lowland, or Grauer’s gorillas, are extremely rare in the park; only six individuals are being monitored (Shengeri, A.R., pers. comm. 2021).
'''Table 2. Ape population estimates in Virunga National Park'''
'''Table 2. Ape population estimates in Virunga National Park'''
|Virunga National Park
|Virunga National Park
|Genetic capture-recapture
|Genetic capture-recapture
|Agustin, R. S. pers. comm. 2021
|Shengeri, A.R., pers. comm. 2021
|
|
|
|
|Virunga National Park
|Virunga National Park
|Genetic capture-recapture
|Genetic capture-recapture
|Agustin, R. S. pers. comm. 2021
|Shengeri, A.R., pers. comm. 2021
|
|
|
|
|High
|High
|
|
|New villages built in the park: Kasindi/Lubiriha and Kilorirwe (Agustin, R. S. pers. comm. 2021).
|New villages built in the park: Kasindi/Lubiriha and Kilorirwe (Shengeri, A.R., pers. comm. 2021).
|Ongoing (2021)
|Ongoing (2021)
|-
|-
|Present, but threat severity unknown
|Present, but threat severity unknown
|
|
|Different roads across the park are present in Virunga National park, e.g., between Mutwanga- Beni-Karuruma-Kambo-Ishasha-Nyakakoma-Rutshuru-Kanyabayonga (Agustin, R. S. pers. comm. 2021).
|Different roads across the park are present in Virunga National park, e.g., between Mutwanga- Beni-Karuruma-Kambo-Ishasha-Nyakakoma-Rutshuru-Kanyabayonga (Shengeri, A.R., pers. comm. 2021).
|Ongoing (2021)
|Ongoing (2021)
|-
|-
|High
|High
|
|
|Poaching by armed groups ([https://whc.unesco.org/en/soc/4056 UNESCO 2021]). Many poachers are arrested by rangers during patrols in the park. Most of them are sent to the court and are jailed. In addition, many traps and illegal hunting camps are destroyed by rangers during patrols (Agustin, R. S. pers. comm. 2021).
|Poaching by armed groups ([https://whc.unesco.org/en/soc/4056 UNESCO 2021]). Many poachers are arrested by rangers during patrols in the park. Most of them are sent to the court and are jailed. In addition, many traps and illegal hunting camps are destroyed by rangers during patrols (Shengeri, A.R., pers. comm. 2021).
|Ongoing (2021)
|Ongoing (2021)
|-
|-
|High
|High
|
|
|Fisherman villages around Lake Edward have increased and occupy many hectares of the park (Agustin, R. S. pers. comm. 2021).
|Fisherman villages around Lake Edward have increased and occupy many hectares of the park (Shengeri, A.R., pers. comm. 2021).
|Ongoing (2021)
|Ongoing (2021)
|-
|-
|Low
|Low
|
|
|Trash observed near fishing villages around Lake Edward. In addition, poachers sometimes mix poison with water (Agustin, R. S. pers. comm. 2021).
|Trash observed near fishing villages around Lake Edward. In addition, poachers sometimes mix poison with water (Shengeri, A.R., pers. comm. 2021).
|Ongoing (2021)
|Ongoing (2021)
|-
|-
In 2011, the Congolese National Parks Authority, (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature, ICCN), and the Virunga Foundation (then known as the Africa Conservation Foundation), entered into a partnership to manage the national park. The Virunga Alliance was then created with the support from the EU. The Virunga Alliance is a development program that aims to end illegal and destructive resource extraction in the region by addressing the direct causes of poverty and conflict. The program was established to create more than 100,000 jobs to draw people out of armed militia groups and into work that fosters peacebuilding. The program is focused on tourism, sustainable energy, and agriculture ([https://virunga.org/alliance/ Virunga Alliance]). The park is part of the Greater Virunga Landscape (GVL), a transboundary collaboration between DRC, Rwanda, and Uganda to conserve the landscape.
In 2011, the Congolese National Parks Authority, (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature, ICCN), and the Virunga Foundation (then known as the Africa Conservation Foundation), entered into a partnership to manage the national park. The Virunga Alliance was then created with the support from the EU. The Virunga Alliance is a development program that aims to end illegal and destructive resource extraction in the region by addressing the direct causes of poverty and conflict. The program was established to create more than 100,000 jobs to draw people out of armed militia groups and into work that fosters peacebuilding. The program is focused on tourism, sustainable energy, and agriculture ([https://virunga.org/alliance/ Virunga Alliance]). The park is part of the Greater Virunga Landscape (GVL), a transboundary collaboration between DRC, Rwanda, and Uganda to conserve the landscape.
Four sites have been chosen for monitoring and for tourism: the Mikeno sector, with 226 habituated mountain gorillas; Tshabirimu, with 6 eastern lowland gorillas; Tongo, with 28 chimpanzees, where habituation started in 1991; and Rumangabo, the headquarters of the park, where 18 chimpanzees have been habituated since 2015 and tourists can observe while visiting the station (Agustin, R. S. pers. comm. 2021).
Four sites have been chosen for monitoring and for tourism: the Mikeno sector, with 226 habituated mountain gorillas; Tshabirimu, with 6 eastern lowland gorillas; Tongo, with 28 chimpanzees, where habituation started in 1991; and Rumangabo, the headquarters of the park, where 18 chimpanzees have been habituated since 2015 and tourists can observe while visiting the station (Shengeri, A.R., pers. comm. 2021).
Four main conservation pillars were established in 2010 with the Virunga Foundation in cooperation with the DRC government to protect the Virunga National Park:
Four main conservation pillars were established in 2010 with the Virunga Foundation in cooperation with the DRC government to protect the Virunga National Park:
1.Conservation: fight against poachers and destruction of the ecosystem of the park. The protection of highly important ecological corridors connecting different sectors of the park through regular ranger patrols is one of the main activities.
1.Conservation: fight against poachers and destruction of the ecosystem of the park. The protection of highly important ecological corridors connecting different sectors of the park through regular ranger patrols is one of the main activities.
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
|Other
|Other
|An education programme was established for teaching local communities new agricultural techniques (Agustin, R. S. pers. comm. 2021).
|An education programme was established for teaching local communities new agricultural techniques (Shengeri, A.R., pers. comm. 2021).
|Ongoing (2021)
|Ongoing (2021)
|-
|-
|5. Biological resource use
|5. Biological resource use
|5.4. Implement road blocks to inspect cars for illegal primate bushmeat
|5.4. Implement road blocks to inspect cars for illegal primate bushmeat
|Agustin, R. S. pers. comm. 2021
|Shengeri, A.R., pers. comm. 2021
|Ongoing (2021)
|Ongoing (2021)
|-
|-
|
|
|5.6. Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols
|5.6. Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols
|The park has nearly 700 rangers who patrol the park (https://virunga.org/alliance/virunga-rangers/). Aerial patrols are also conducted. In addition, patrols regulate fishing activities in Lake Edward and evict squatters (Agustin, R. S. pers. comm. 2021).
|The park has nearly 700 rangers who patrol the park (https://virunga.org/alliance/virunga-rangers/). Aerial patrols are also conducted. In addition, patrols regulate fishing activities in Lake Edward and evict squatters (Shengeri, A.R., pers. comm. 2021).
|Ongoing (2021)
|Ongoing (2021)
|-
|-
|
|
|5.9. Regularly de-activate/remove ground snares
|5.9. Regularly de-activate/remove ground snares
|Agustin, R. S. pers. comm. 2021
|Shengeri, A.R., pers. comm. 2021
|Ongoing (2021)
|Ongoing (2021)
|-
|-
|
|
|8.8. Keep safety distance to habituated animals
|8.8. Keep safety distance to habituated animals
|Agustin, R. S. pers. comm. 2021
|Shengeri, A.R., pers. comm. 2021
|Ongoing (2021)
|Ongoing (2021)
|-
|-
|
|
|8.9. Limit time that researchers/tourists are allowed to spend with habituated animals
|8.9. Limit time that researchers/tourists are allowed to spend with habituated animals
|Agustin, R. S. pers. comm. 2021
|Shengeri, A.R., pers. comm. 2021
|Ongoing (2021)
|Ongoing (2021)
|-
|-
|10. Education & Awareness
|10. Education & Awareness
|10.1. Educate local communities about primates and sustainable use
|10.1. Educate local communities about primates and sustainable use
|Education programme teaching local communities the importance of the park (COCO) (Agustin, R. S. pers. comm. 2021).
|Education programme teaching local communities the importance of the park (COCO) (Shengeri, A.R., pers. comm. 2021).
|Ongoing (2021)
|Ongoing (2021)
|-
|-
|
|
|10.2. Involve local community in primate research and conservation management
|10.2. Involve local community in primate research and conservation management
|Virunga Foundation recruits members of the local community (HUGO), who receive a stipend for patrolling and gathering data (Agustin, R. S. pers. comm. 2021).
|Virunga Foundation recruits members of the local community (HUGO), who receive a stipend for patrolling and gathering data (Shengeri, A.R., pers. comm. 2021).
|Ongoing (2021)
|Ongoing (2021)
|-
|-
|13. Livelihood; Economic & Other Incentives
|13. Livelihood; Economic & Other Incentives
|13.1. Provide monetary benefits to local communities for sustainably managing their forest and its wildlife (e.g. REDD, employment)
|13.1. Provide monetary benefits to local communities for sustainably managing their forest and its wildlife (e.g. REDD, employment)
|Create employees for local communities; supply the local communities with credits to help them improve their businesses; support farmers; provide employment to local youth and to widows of rangers (Agustin, R. S. pers. comm. 2021).
|Create employees for local communities; supply the local communities with credits to help them improve their businesses; support farmers; provide employment to local youth and to widows of rangers (Shengeri, A.R., pers. comm. 2021).
|Ongoing (2021)
|Ongoing (2021)
|-
|-
|
|
|13.2. Provide non-monetary benefits to local communities for sustainably managing their forest and its wildlife (e.g. better education, infrastructure development)
|13.2. Provide non-monetary benefits to local communities for sustainably managing their forest and its wildlife (e.g. better education, infrastructure development)
|Hydroelectric power is supplied from 4 stations around the park (Agustin, R. S. pers. comm. 2021).
|Hydroelectric power is supplied from 4 stations around the park (Shengeri, A.R., pers. comm. 2021).
|Ongoing (2021)
|Ongoing (2021)
|-
|-
= Challenges = <!-- Overview of challenges in ape conservation -->
= Challenges = <!-- Overview of challenges in ape conservation -->
The main challenges to ape conservation at the park include lack of security due to different rebel groups in the region. In 1986 when Uganda rebels ADF/NALU crossed into DRC and remained in the park around the Rwenzori massif (North sector), where many chimpanzees were present. In 1994 millions of refugees and defeated militaries crossed the border and settled around the Mikeno Sector, home to mountain gorillas. Since then, rebels continue to kill animals, rangers, cut trees for commercial charcoal, kidnap local people, and are involved in other criminal activities (Agustin, R. S. pers. comm. 2021).
The main challenges to ape conservation at the park include lack of security due to different rebel groups in the region. In 1986 when Uganda rebels ADF/NALU crossed into DRC and remained in the park around the Rwenzori massif (North sector), where many chimpanzees were present. In 1994 millions of refugees and defeated militaries crossed the border and settled around the Mikeno Sector, home to mountain gorillas. Since then, rebels continue to kill animals, rangers, cut trees for commercial charcoal, kidnap local people, and are involved in other criminal activities (Shengeri, A.R., pers. comm. 2021).
'''Table 5. Challenges reported for Virunga National Park'''
'''Table 5. Challenges reported for Virunga National Park'''
|-
|-
|Civil unrest
|Civil unrest
|Agustin, R. S. pers. comm. 2021
|Shengeri, A.R., pers. comm. 2021
|-
|-
|}
|}
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'''Page completed by: '''Rwimo Shengeri Augustin & Natsuno Shinagawa''' Date:''' 17/01/2022 <!-- If you don't want to add your name, you can add "A.P.E.S. Wiki team" -->
'''Page completed by: '''Rwimo Shengeri Augustin & Natsuno Shinagawa ''' Date:''' 17/01/2022 <!-- If you don't want to add your name, you can add "A.P.E.S. Wiki team" -->