Difference between revisions of "Okapi Wildlife Reserve"

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= 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 -->
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{{#display_map: height=200px | width=300px | scrollzoom=off | zoom=5 | layers= OpenStreetMap, OpenTopoMap
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|1.758921, 28.504352~[[Okapi Wildlife Reserve]]~Eastern Chimpanzee
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* Eastern chimpanzees (''Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii'') are present in Okapi Wildlife Reserve.
 
* Eastern chimpanzees (''Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii'') are present in Okapi Wildlife Reserve.
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* It has been estimated that 8,802 individuals occur in the site.
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* It has been estimated that 5,019  individuals occur in the site.
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* The chimpanzee population trend is unknown.
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* The chimpanzee population trend is stable.
 
* The site has a total size of 13,700 km².
 
* The site has a total size of 13,700 km².
 
* Armed groups involved in illegal mining, logging and hunting are the most concerning threat to chimpanzees and other wildlife in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve.
 
* Armed groups involved in illegal mining, logging and hunting are the most concerning threat to chimpanzees and other wildlife in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve.
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= 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 -->
  
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Established in 1992, the Okapi Wildlife Reserve occupies about one-fifth of the Ituri forest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo ([https://www.okapiconservation.org/the-reserve/ Okapi Conservation Project]). The reserve was declared a [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/718/ UNESCO World Heritage Site] in 1996, and it is also an Important Bird Area, with nearly 400 bird species recorded (BirdLife International 2020). The site is one of the largest blocks of intact forest remaining in the Congo Basin. The forest is important for the Mbuti and Efé pygmies, who live here as hunter-gatherers (BirdLife International 2020; [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/718/ UNESCO]). The reserve is famous for being home to the largest population of the endemic okapi, Okapia johnstoni (BirdLife International 2020; [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/718/ UNESCO]). The reserve supports other mammals of global conservation, including eastern chimpanzees, forest elephants, water chevrotains, aquatic genets, bongos, Hamlyn's monkeys, and mountain monkeys (BirdLife International 2020). The site is also notably rich in butterfly species (BirdLife International 2020).
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Established in 1992, the Okapi Wildlife Reserve occupies about one-fifth of the Ituri forest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo ([https://www.okapiconservation.org/the-reserve/ Okapi Conservation Project]). The reserve was declared a [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/718/ UNESCO World Heritage Site] in 1996, and it is also an Important Bird Area, with nearly 400 bird species recorded (BirdLife International 2020). The site is one of the largest blocks of intact forest remaining in the Congo Basin. The forest is important for the Mbuti and Efé pygmies, who live here as hunter-gatherers (BirdLife International 2020; [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/718/ UNESCO]). The reserve is famous for being home to the largest population of the endemic okapi, ''Okapia johnstoni'' (BirdLife International 2020; [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/718/ UNESCO]). The reserve supports other mammals of global conservation importance, including eastern chimpanzees, forest elephants, water chevrotains, aquatic genets, bongos, Hamlyn's monkeys, and mountain monkeys (BirdLife International 2020). The site is also notably rich in butterfly species (BirdLife International 2020).
  
 
'''Table 1. Basic site information for Okapi Wildlife Reserve'''
 
'''Table 1. Basic site information for Okapi Wildlife Reserve'''
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|-
 
|-
 
|Coordinates
 
|Coordinates
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|1.758921 N, 28.504352 E
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|1.758921, 28.504352
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Designation
 
|Designation
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= 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 -->
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 +
The eastern chimpanzee population remained stable between 2007-2018, at around 5000 individuals; in 2018 the estimate was 5019 individuals (c.i. 3719-6773; CV 15%). However, there is some evidence of a range reduction in the west of the Reserve since 2011 (Madidi et al. 2019).
  
 
'''Table 2. Ape population estimates in Okapi Wildlife Reserve'''
 
'''Table 2. Ape population estimates in Okapi Wildlife Reserve'''
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|Plumptre et al. 2010
 
|Plumptre et al. 2010
 
|
 
|
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|
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|-
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|''Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii''
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|2018
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|5019 (3719-6773)
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|
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|
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|12,000 sq. km
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|Line transects (Distance)
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|Madidi et al. 2019
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|survey effort: 321 km
 
|
 
|
 
|}
 
|}
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= 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 -->
  
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The presence of armed militia involved in illegal mining, logging and hunting is one of the most concerning threats to the Okapi Wildlife Reserve. In 2012, armed rebel groups brutally attacked the headquarters of the reserve, killing six people and 14 captive okapis (Dasgupta 2019). Immigration is also a serious threat, as the RN4 road, which bisects the southern part of the reserve was rehabilitated, allowing easy access to pristine forests ([https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/explore-sites/wdpaid/124389 IUCN]).
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The presence of armed militia involved in illegal mining, logging and hunting is one of the most concerning threats to the Okapi Wildlife Reserve. Most human activity is associated with the concentration of mines in the south and west, both north and south of the national road that bisects the Reserve (Madidi et al. 2019). In 2012, armed rebel groups brutally attacked the headquarters of the reserve, killing six people and 14 captive okapis (Dasgupta 2019). Immigration is also a serious threat, as the RN4 road, which bisects the southern part of the reserve was rehabilitated, allowing easy access to pristine forests ([https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/explore-sites/wdpaid/124389 IUCN]).  
  
 
'''Table 3. Threats to apes in Okapi Wildlife Reserve'''
 
'''Table 3. Threats to apes in Okapi Wildlife Reserve'''
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|3. Energy production & mining
 
|3. Energy production & mining
 
|3.2 Mining & quarrying
 
|3.2 Mining & quarrying
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|Present, but threat severity is unknown
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|High
 
|
 
|
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|Illegal gold mining. Miners often depend on bushmeat (Dasgupta 2019).
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|Illegal gold mining. Miners often depend on bushmeat (Dasgupta 2019). Mining is concentrated in the southern and western parts of the reserve (Madidi et al. 2019).
 
|Ongoing (2019)
 
|Ongoing (2019)
 
|-
 
|-
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= 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 -->
  
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In 2019 an agreement was reached to manage the Okapi Wildlife Reserve between Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Government’s Nature Conservation Agency, ICCN ([https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/13167/New-hope-for-the-Okapi-Wildlife-Reserve-a-wildlife-haven-under-threat-in-in-the-heart-of-the-Congo-rainforest.aspx WCS]).
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In 2019 an agreement was reached to manage the Okapi Wildlife Reserve between Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Government’s Nature Conservation Agency, ICCN ([https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/13167/New-hope-for-the-Okapi-Wildlife-Reserve-a-wildlife-haven-under-threat-in-in-the-heart-of-the-Congo-rainforest.aspx WCS]). Between 2011 and 2019, hunting activity diminished as people have shifted their activities towards the mining camps in the southwest of the reserve. In addition, the core area is regularly patrolled by anti poaching teams (Madidi et al. 2019).
  
 
'''Table 4. Conservation activities in Okapi Wildlife Reserve'''
 
'''Table 4. Conservation activities in Okapi Wildlife Reserve'''
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|5. Biological resource use
 
|5. Biological resource use
 
|5.6. Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols
 
|5.6. Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols
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|Rangers walk up to 20 days a month to patrol the forest ([https://www.okapiconservation.org/wildlife-protection/ Okapi Conservation Project]).
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|Rangers walk up to 20 days a month to patrol the forest ([https://www.okapiconservation.org/wildlife-protection/ Okapi Conservation Project], Madidi et al. 2019).
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|Ongoing
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|Ongoing (2019)
 
|-
 
|-
 
|6. Human intrusion & disturbance
 
|6. Human intrusion & disturbance
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= References =
 
= References =
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Plumptre, A.J., Rose, R., Nangendo, G., Williamson, E.A., Didier, K., Hart, J., Mulindahabi, F., Hicks, C., Griffin, B., Ogawa, H., Nixon, S., Pintea, L., Vosper, A., McClennan, M., Amsini, F., McNeilage, A., Makana, J.R., Kanamori, M., Hernandez, A., Piel, A., Stewart, F., Moore, J., Zamma, K., Nakamura, M., Kamenya, S., Idani, G., Sakamaki, T., Yoshikawa, M., Greer, D., Tranquilli, S., Beyers, R., Furuichi, T., Hashimoto, C. and Bennett, E. (2010). Eastern Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii): Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan 2010–2020. IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland. 52pp <br>
 
 
BirdLife International (2020) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Okapi Faunal Reserve. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 30/12/2020. <br>
 
BirdLife International (2020) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Okapi Faunal Reserve. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 30/12/2020. <br>
 
Dasgupta, S. (2019). DRC’s Okapi Wildlife Reserve gets new management partner in WCS. Retrieved 30 December 2020 from Mongabay.com. Web site: https://news.mongabay.com/2019/10/drcs-okapi-wildlife-reserve-gets-new-management-partner-in-wcs/# <br>
 
Dasgupta, S. (2019). DRC’s Okapi Wildlife Reserve gets new management partner in WCS. Retrieved 30 December 2020 from Mongabay.com. Web site: https://news.mongabay.com/2019/10/drcs-okapi-wildlife-reserve-gets-new-management-partner-in-wcs/# <br>
 +
Madidi, J., Maisels, F., Kahindo, F., Nsafusa, B., Angemito, T., Manala, M., Ngohe, O., & Liengola, I. 2019. Inventaires des Grands Mammifères et de l’Impact Humaine, Réserve de Faune à Okapis, 2018. Rapport technique No : 01/BION/RFO/2019 p. 40. WCS DRC, Kinshasa, DRC.<br>
 +
Plumptre, A.J., Rose, R., Nangendo, G., Williamson, E.A., Didier, K., Hart, J., Mulindahabi, F., Hicks, C., Griffin, B., Ogawa, H., Nixon, S., Pintea, L., Vosper, A., McClennan, M., Amsini, F., McNeilage, A., Makana, J.R., Kanamori, M., Hernandez, A., Piel, A., Stewart, F., Moore, J., Zamma, K., Nakamura, M., Kamenya, S., Idani, G., Sakamaki, T., Yoshikawa, M., Greer, D., Tranquilli, S., Beyers, R., Furuichi, T., Hashimoto, C. and Bennett, E. (2010). Eastern Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii): Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan 2010–2020. IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland. 52pp <br>
  
 
<br>
 
<br>
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Revision as of 05:19, 14 August 2023

Central Africa > Democratic Republic of the Congo > Okapi Wildlife Reserve

Summary

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  • Eastern chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) are present in Okapi Wildlife Reserve.
  • It has been estimated that 5,019 individuals occur in the site.
  • The chimpanzee population trend is stable.
  • The site has a total size of 13,700 km².
  • Armed groups involved in illegal mining, logging and hunting are the most concerning threat to chimpanzees and other wildlife in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve.
  • Conservation activities at the site include anti-poaching patrols.

Site characteristics

Established in 1992, the Okapi Wildlife Reserve occupies about one-fifth of the Ituri forest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Okapi Conservation Project). The reserve was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, and it is also an Important Bird Area, with nearly 400 bird species recorded (BirdLife International 2020). The site is one of the largest blocks of intact forest remaining in the Congo Basin. The forest is important for the Mbuti and Efé pygmies, who live here as hunter-gatherers (BirdLife International 2020; UNESCO). The reserve is famous for being home to the largest population of the endemic okapi, Okapia johnstoni (BirdLife International 2020; UNESCO). The reserve supports other mammals of global conservation importance, including eastern chimpanzees, forest elephants, water chevrotains, aquatic genets, bongos, Hamlyn's monkeys, and mountain monkeys (BirdLife International 2020). The site is also notably rich in butterfly species (BirdLife International 2020).

Table 1. Basic site information for Okapi Wildlife Reserve

Area 13,700 km²
Coordinates 1.758921, 28.504352
Designation Wildlife Reserve
Habitat types Subtropical/tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical/tropical swamp forest

IUCN habitat categories Site designations

Ape status

The eastern chimpanzee population remained stable between 2007-2018, at around 5000 individuals; in 2018 the estimate was 5019 individuals (c.i. 3719-6773; CV 15%). However, there is some evidence of a range reduction in the west of the Reserve since 2011 (Madidi et al. 2019).

Table 2. Ape population estimates in Okapi Wildlife Reserve

Species Year Abundance estimate (95% CI) Density estimate [ind./ km²] (95% CI) Encounter rate (nests/km) Area Method Source Comments A.P.E.S. database ID
Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii 2009 8,802 0.62 14,157 sq. km Index survey (reconnaissance walk) Plumptre et al. 2010
Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii 2018 5019 (3719-6773) 12,000 sq. km Line transects (Distance) Madidi et al. 2019 survey effort: 321 km

Threats

The presence of armed militia involved in illegal mining, logging and hunting is one of the most concerning threats to the Okapi Wildlife Reserve. Most human activity is associated with the concentration of mines in the south and west, both north and south of the national road that bisects the Reserve (Madidi et al. 2019). In 2012, armed rebel groups brutally attacked the headquarters of the reserve, killing six people and 14 captive okapis (Dasgupta 2019). Immigration is also a serious threat, as the RN4 road, which bisects the southern part of the reserve was rehabilitated, allowing easy access to pristine forests (IUCN).

Table 3. Threats to apes in Okapi Wildlife Reserve

Category Specific threats Threat level Quantified severity Description Year of threat
1. Residential & commercial development Unknown
2. Agriculture & aquaculture Unknown
3. Energy production & mining 3.2 Mining & quarrying High Illegal gold mining. Miners often depend on bushmeat (Dasgupta 2019). Mining is concentrated in the southern and western parts of the reserve (Madidi et al. 2019). Ongoing (2019)
4. Transportation & service corridors 4.1 Roads & railroads Present, but threat severity is unknown Rehabilitation of the RN4 road, which bisects the southern part of the reserve from east to west facilitated access to the forest (IUCN). Ongoing
5. Biological resource use 5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals Present, but threat severity is unknown Hunting for bushmeat, linked to illegal mining activities (IUCN). Ongoing
5.3 Logging & wood harvesting Present, but threat severity is unknown Illegal logging and clearing of forest by immigrants (Dasgupta 2019; IUCN). Ongoing (2019)
6. Human intrusion & disturbance 6.2 War, civil unrest & military exercises High Armed militia involved in illegal mining, logging and hunting (IUCN). Ongoing
7. Natural system modifications Unknown
8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases Unknown
9. Pollution Unknown
10. Geological Events Absent
11. Climate change & severe weather Unknown
12. Other options Absent

IUCN Threats list

Conservation activities

In 2019 an agreement was reached to manage the Okapi Wildlife Reserve between Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Government’s Nature Conservation Agency, ICCN (WCS). Between 2011 and 2019, hunting activity diminished as people have shifted their activities towards the mining camps in the southwest of the reserve. In addition, the core area is regularly patrolled by anti poaching teams (Madidi et al. 2019).

Table 4. Conservation activities in Okapi Wildlife Reserve

Category Specific activity Description Year of activity
1. Residential & commercial development Not reported
2. Agriculture & aquaculture Not reported
3. Energy production & mining Not reported
4. Transportation & service corridors Not reported
5. Biological resource use 5.6. Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols Rangers walk up to 20 days a month to patrol the forest (Okapi Conservation Project, Madidi et al. 2019). Ongoing (2019)
6. Human intrusion & disturbance Not reported
7. Natural system modifications Not reported
8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases Not reported
9. Pollution Not reported
10. Education & Awareness Not reported
11. Habitat Protection 11.2. Legally protect primate habitat The site is designated as a Wildlife Reserve. Ongoing
12. Species Management Not reported
13. Livelihood; Economic & Other Incentives Not reported

Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)

Challenges

Table 5. Challenges reported for Okapi Wildlife Reserve

Challenge Source
Lack of logistical means BirdLife International 2020
Civil unrest IUCN

Research activities

A research project has been based at Epulu since the early 1980s and has been supported since 1986 by the Wildlife Conservation Society. Besides conducting the first study of Okapi in the wild, this project has included long-term studies of natural and selectively-logged forest and research into the socio-economic impact of human migration (BirdLife International 2020).

Documented behaviours

Table 6. Ape behaviors reported for Okapi Wildlife Reserve

Behavior Source
Making ground nests Plumptre et al. 2010
Smashing large snails Plumptre et al. 2010
Smashing tortoises Plumptre et al. 2010

External links

UNESCO Okapi Wildlife Reserve
IUCN World Heritage Outlook

Relevant datasets

A.P.E.S Portal

References

BirdLife International (2020) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Okapi Faunal Reserve. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 30/12/2020.
Dasgupta, S. (2019). DRC’s Okapi Wildlife Reserve gets new management partner in WCS. Retrieved 30 December 2020 from Mongabay.com. Web site: https://news.mongabay.com/2019/10/drcs-okapi-wildlife-reserve-gets-new-management-partner-in-wcs/#
Madidi, J., Maisels, F., Kahindo, F., Nsafusa, B., Angemito, T., Manala, M., Ngohe, O., & Liengola, I. 2019. Inventaires des Grands Mammifères et de l’Impact Humaine, Réserve de Faune à Okapis, 2018. Rapport technique No : 01/BION/RFO/2019 p. 40. WCS DRC, Kinshasa, DRC.
Plumptre, A.J., Rose, R., Nangendo, G., Williamson, E.A., Didier, K., Hart, J., Mulindahabi, F., Hicks, C., Griffin, B., Ogawa, H., Nixon, S., Pintea, L., Vosper, A., McClennan, M., Amsini, F., McNeilage, A., Makana, J.R., Kanamori, M., Hernandez, A., Piel, A., Stewart, F., Moore, J., Zamma, K., Nakamura, M., Kamenya, S., Idani, G., Sakamaki, T., Yoshikawa, M., Greer, D., Tranquilli, S., Beyers, R., Furuichi, T., Hashimoto, C. and Bennett, E. (2010). Eastern Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii): Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan 2010–2020. IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland. 52pp


Page completed by: A.P.E.S. Wiki team Date: 14/08/2023

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