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Line 44: − While the gorilla population in the KBNP highland sector is showing an increase, the global Grauer’s gorilla population declined across its range by 77% to 93% over the last 20 years due to civil war, with an estimated 3,800 individuals remaining in the wild (Spira et al. 2016; Plumptre et al. 2015).+ Line 84:
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Kahuzi-Biega National Park (view source)
Revision as of 08:33, 23 November 2023
, 08:33, 23 November 2023no edit summary
= Summary = <!-- An overview of the site, with one sentence for each section. May include a site map -->
= Summary = <!-- An overview of the site, with one sentence for each section. May include a site map -->
<div style="float: right">
{{#display_map: height=200px | width=300px | scrollzoom=off | zoom=5 | layers= OpenStreetMap, OpenTopoMap
| -2.223171, 28.389500~[[Kahuzi-Biega National Park]]~Eastern chimpanzees and Grauer’s gorillas
}}
</div>
* Eastern chimpanzees (''Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii'') & Grauer's gorillas (''Gorilla beringei graueri'') are present in Kahuzi-Biega National Park.
* Eastern chimpanzees (''Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii'') & Grauer's gorillas (''Gorilla beringei graueri'') are present in Kahuzi-Biega National Park.
* The great ape population size is unknown.
* The great ape population size is unknown.
* The site has a total size of 6,000 km².
* The site has a total size of 6,000 km².
* Poaching is a key threat to great apes at the site.
* Poaching linked to mining activities is a key threat to great apes at the site.
* Conservation activities have not been documented.
* Conservation activities reported include different types of patrolling, e.g., for surveillance, demarcation, wildlife/threat research and ecotourism.
* Kahuzi-Biega National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1980.
* Kahuzi-Biega National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1980.
= 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 -->
Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP) is located in eastern DR Congo, close to the borders wth Rwanda and Burundi. KBNP holds an exceptional diversity of flora and fauna, making it one of the most important sites in the Albertine Rift Valley. The park is named after Mounts Kahuzi (3,308 m) and Biega (2,790 m). In 1937, the site was first established as the Zoological Reserve of Mt. Kahuzi, covering 750 sq. km. In 1970, Kahuzi-Biega National Park was created, initially covering 600 sq. km; in 1975 the area was extended to 6,000 sq. km. Since then, the park comprises two sectors, the low and high altitude sectors, which are linked by an ecological corridor ([http://www.polepolefoundation.org/kbnp.php Pole Pole Foundation). In 1980, the site was declared a [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/137/ UNESCO World Heritage site]. KBNP is special in that the faunal and floral transition from low to highlands can be observed. With at least 1,178 plant species recorded in the highland sector, KBNP was designated as a centre of diversity for plants by IUCN and WWF in 1994 ([https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/137/ UNESCO). KBNP is home to a large proportion of the endangered Grauer's gorilla population; in fact, KBNP and Maiko National Park support the most important Grauer's gorilla populations (Plumptre et al. 2015).
Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP) is located in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, close to the border with Rwanda. KBNP holds an exceptional diversity of flora and fauna, making it one of the most important sites in the Albertine Rift Valley. The park is named after two dormant volcanoes, Mount Kahuzi (3,308 m) and Mount Biega (2,790 m) ([https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/137/ UNESCO]). In 1970, Kahuzi-Biega National Park was created and in 1975 its area was extended to 6,000 sq. km. Since then, the park comprises two sectors, the low and high altitude sectors, which are linked by an ecological corridor ([https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/137/ UNESCO]). In 1980, the site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. KBNP is special in that the faunal and floral transition from low to highlands can be observed. With at least 1,178 plant species recorded in the highland sector, KBNP was designated as a centre of diversity for plants by IUCN and WWF in 1994 ([https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/137/ UNESCO]). KBNP is home to a large proportion of the endangered Grauer's gorilla population; in fact, KBNP and Maiko National Park support the most important Grauer's gorilla populations (Plumptre et al. 2015, Spira et al. 2016).
'''Table 1. Basic site information for Kahuzi-Biega National Park'''
'''Table 1. Basic site information for Kahuzi-Biega National Park'''
|-
|-
|Coordinates
|Coordinates
|-2.223171, 28.389500
| -2.223171, 28.389500
|-
|-
|Designation
|Designation
= 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 highland gorilla population of KNBP decreased by almost 40% between 1996 and 2000. In the lowland sector, gorillas also appear to have undergone a catastrophic decline during that time, and the forest corridor connecting the two populations was severed (Maldonado et al. 2012). Between 2010 and 2015 there was an estimated 18% increase in the highland gorilla population, and a 64% increase since the drop observed between 1996 and 2000, which is when civil war caused a major decline in gorilla numbers (Spira et al. 2016). Nevertheless, the global Grauer’s gorilla population declined across its range by an estimated 77- 93% in the period of 1995-2015 due to civil war, with approximately 3,800 individuals remaining in the wild (Spira et al. 2016; Plumptre et al. 2015).
'''Table 2. Ape population estimates in Kahuzi-Biega National Park'''
'''Table 2. Ape population estimates in Kahuzi-Biega National Park'''
|Index survey (reconnaissance walk)
|Index survey (reconnaissance walk)
|Spira et al. 2016
|Spira et al. 2016
|
|
|-
|''Gorilla beringei graueri''
|2015
|325
|0.79
|
|KBNP highland sector
|Line transect (Distance)
|WCS and ICCN, as cited by Spira et al. 2016
|
|
|
|
= Threats = <!-- a text overview of threats, followed by a table of key threats -->
= Threats = <!-- a text overview of threats, followed by a table of key threats -->
With the onset of civil war in 1996, armed groups settled within the boundaries of the park, as the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN), the Congolese wildlife authority, had lost control of the park. This exacerbated natural resource extraction from within the park, including hunting of wildlife for subsistence and trade (Spira et al. 2016). In a 2014 survey of local miners surrounding the site, almost all the interviewed miners stated that they consumed bushmeat regularly because of the lack of alternatives. Most of the respondents also believed that bushmeat hunting had caused declines and local extinctions of some mammals, including great apes (Spira et al. 2019).
'''Table 3. Threats to apes in Kahuzi-Biega National Park'''
'''Table 3. Threats to apes in Kahuzi-Biega National Park'''
|High
|High
|
|
|Artisanal mining. Unregulated extraction of gold, tin (cassiterite), tungsten, diamond and coltan. Numerous active mining sites are present in the park. Many mines are controlled by armed militia (Plumptre et al. 2015; Spira et al. 2016).
|Artisanal mining. Unregulated extraction of gold, tin (cassiterite), tungsten, diamond and coltan. Numerous active mining sites are present in the park. Many mines are controlled by armed militia (Plumptre et al. 2015; Spira et al. 2019).
|Ongoing (2016)
|Ongoing (2019)
|-
|-
|4. Transportation & service corridors
|4. Transportation & service corridors
|High
|High
|
|
|High levels of subsistence hunting and bushmeat extraction, facilitated by the presence of armed militia who control mines at the site (Plumptre et al. 2015).
|High levels of subsistence hunting and bushmeat extraction, linked to mining activities in and around the site (Spira et al. 2019).
|Ongoing (2015)
|Ongoing (2019)
|-
|-
|6. Human intrusion & disturbance
|6. Human intrusion & disturbance
= Conservation activities = <!-- A summary of the conservation activities, followed by a table of key activities -->
= Conservation activities = <!-- A summary of the conservation activities, followed by a table of key activities -->
KBNP is managed by the Congolese wildlife authority, Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN), which employs rangers (Spira, Kirkby & Plumptre 2019).
'''Table 4. Conservation activities in Kahuzi-Biega National Park'''
'''Table 4. Conservation activities in Kahuzi-Biega National Park'''
|-
|-
|5. Biological resource use
|5. Biological resource use
|Not reported
|5.6. Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols
|
|The park employs several rangers who conduct surveillance, demarcation, and threat research patrols (Spira, Kirkby & Plumptre 2019).
|
|Ongoing (2019)
|-
|5. Biological resource use
|5.15. Implement monitoring surveillance strategies (e.g. SMART) or use monitoring data to improve effectiveness of wildlife law enforcement patrols
|Since 2014 rangers in Kahuzi–Biega National Park have been using SMART (Spira, Kirkby & Plumptre 2019).
|2014-Ongoing (2019)
|-
|-
|6. Human intrusion & disturbance
|6. Human intrusion & disturbance
|-
|-
|11. Habitat Protection
|11. Habitat Protection
|Not reported
|11.2. Legally protect primate habitat
|
|The site is a National Park.
|
|1970-Ongoing (2023)
|-
|-
|12. Species Management
|12. Species Management
= Challenges = <!-- Overview of challenges in ape conservation -->
= Challenges = <!-- Overview of challenges in ape conservation -->
The most urgent need is to demilitarize artisanal mines in and around KBNP to reduce poaching and enable the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation, ICCN, to enforce conservation laws (Spira et al. 2016).
The most urgent need is to demilitarise artisanal mines in and around KBNP to reduce poaching and enable the ICCN to enforce conservation laws (Spira et al. 2016). Based on a 2015-2016 interview survey of rangers in KBNP, ranger job satisfaction could improve with higher salaries, more promotion opportunities and recognition from the government, positive performance incentives, better security, improved living conditions in remote patrol posts and more support from the judicial system (Spira, Kirkby & Plumptre 2019).
'''Table 5. Challenges reported for Kahuzi-Biega National Park'''
'''Table 5. Challenges reported for Kahuzi-Biega National Park'''
|-
|-
|Civil unrest
|Civil unrest
|Plumptre et al. 2015
|Plumptre et al. 2015; Spira, Kirkby & Plumptre 2019
|-
|-
|Lack of law enforcement
|Lack of law enforcement
|Plumptre et al. 2015
|Plumptre et al. 2015; Spira, Kirkby & Plumptre 2019
|-
|-
|}
|}
=External links=
=External links=
[https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/137/ UNESCO World Heritage - Kahuzi-Biega National Park]
[https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/137/ UNESCO World Heritage - Kahuzi-Biega National Park]
= References =
= References =
Spira, C., Mitamba, G., Kirkby, A., Kalikunguba, T., Nishuli, R. and Plumptre,A. (2016) Grauer’s Gorilla Numbers Increasing in Kahuzi-Biega National Park Highlands: 2015 Census in Tshivanga Sector. Unpublished report by the Wildlife Conservation Society.<br>
Spira, C., Mitamba, G., Kirkby, A., Kalikunguba, T., Nishuli, R. and Plumptre,A. (2016) Grauer’s Gorilla Numbers Increasing in Kahuzi-Biega National Park Highlands: 2015 Census in Tshivanga Sector. Unpublished report by the Wildlife Conservation Society.<br>
Spira, C., Kirkby, A., Kujirakwinja, D., & Plumptre, A. J. (2019). The socio-economics of artisanal mining and bushmeat hunting around protected areas: Kahuzi–Biega National Park and Itombwe Nature Reserve, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Oryx, 53(1), 136-144.<br>
Spira, C., Kirkby, A., & Plumptre, A. (2019). Understanding ranger motivation and job satisfaction to improve wildlife protection in Kahuzi–Biega National Park, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Oryx, 53(3), 460-468. doi:10.1017/S0030605318000856
Plumptre, A.J., Nixon, S., Critchlow, R., Vieilledent, G., Nishuli, R., Kirkby, A., Williamson, E.A., Hall, J.S. & Kujirakwinja, D. (2015). Status of Grauer’s gorilla and chimpanzees in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: Historical and current distribution and abundance. Unpublished report to Arcus Foundation, USAID and US Fish and Wildlife Service.<br>
Plumptre, A.J., Nixon, S., Critchlow, R., Vieilledent, G., Nishuli, R., Kirkby, A., Williamson, E.A., Hall, J.S. & Kujirakwinja, D. (2015). Status of Grauer’s gorilla and chimpanzees in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: Historical and current distribution and abundance. Unpublished report to Arcus Foundation, USAID and US Fish and Wildlife Service.<br>
Maldonado, O., Aveling, C., Cox, D., Nixon, S., Nishuli, R., Merlo, D., Pintea, L. & Williamson, E.A. (2012). Grauer’s Gorillas and Chimpanzees in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (Kahuzi-Biega, Maiko, Tayna and Itombwe Landscape): Conservation Action Plan 2012–2022. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group, Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation & Tourism, Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature & the Jane Goodall Institute. 66pp.<br>
Murnyak, D. F. (1981). Censusing the gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Biol. Conservl, 21, 163-76.<br>
Murnyak, D. F. (1981). Censusing the gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Biol. Conservl, 21, 163-76.<br>
Yamagiwa, J., Mwanza, N., Spangenberg, A., Maruhashi, T., Yumoto, T., Fischer, A. & Steinhauer, B.B. (1993). A census of the eastern lowland gorillas Gorilla gorilla graueri in Kahuzi-Biega National Park with reference to mountain gorillas G.g. beringei in the Virunga region, Zaire. Biol Conserv 64, 83–89.<br>
Yamagiwa, J., Mwanza, N., Spangenberg, A., Maruhashi, T., Yumoto, T., Fischer, A. & Steinhauer, B.B. (1993). A census of the eastern lowland gorillas Gorilla gorilla graueri in Kahuzi-Biega National Park with reference to mountain gorillas G.g. beringei in the Virunga region, Zaire. Biol Conserv 64, 83–89.<br>
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