12 Dec 2007 - Sadly it appears
that since our fundraising appeal where we
bought emergency provisions of fuel wood for
people in temporary camps in Eastern DRC,
the situation is not improving - and in the
meantime, pressures on the environment are
ever increasing.
People are still in need of fuel wood and
building materials - bamboo or wooden sticks
- and have now been forced to enter the Virunga
National Park, home to one of the world’s
last remaining mountain gorilla populations.
This is not only dangerous, in particular
for women and children who are at risk to
sexual violence when they leave the IDP camps,
but it is also causing serious damage to the
park.
The mountain gorilla depends on bamboo as
its prime source of food and the continued
harvest of bamboo by the IDPs could be devastating
for this fragile species and for the local
resident communities, which benefit from revenues
from gorilla tourism.
This sensitive and serious situation has
been ongoing for months.
We are worried that the temporary sites around
Goma, at first part of an essential emergency
response situation, may last much longer and
cause devastating and long term environmental
degradation and damage.
Moreover, it has just been brought to WWF’s
attention that there are three new sites around
Goma, which further underscores the need for
immediate action. While we realize the challenges
are enormous for those that are displaced,
it is essential that that people move from
the new sites in Kibumba and Nzulo, to Kibati
and other locations further from the park.
Added to this, a fuelwood provision scheme
needs to be implemented as soon as possible.
WWF remains eager to provide technical assistance
where possible.
Bruno Hugel
Joanna Benn, Communications Manager, WWF Global
Species Programme
+ More
Trapping Africa's Rhinos - Caught on Camera!
13 Dec 2007 - As rhino conservation gathers
momentum in Africa, a new approach to monitoring
rhino has been initiated, the use of camera
traps.
This approach, being piloted in Pilanesberg
and Madikwe National Parks in South Africa
is expected to enhance the monitoring of Black
Rhino populations, a Critically Endangered
species.
Funded by WWF through the African Rhino Programme
(ARP), the camera traps project saves on staff
hours, operates during the day and night,
and is safer than having to sneak up to rhinos
for proper identification.
The cameras are camouflaged; shoebox sized
and can be mounted at water holes, game paths
or any strategic positions where long term
monitoring is required. They are motion triggered,
taking colour photos during the day and black
and white at night.
The flash is invisible infrared, which will
not frighten animals. Operated by battery,
photographs taken by them are stored on a
compact flashcard, which can then be downloaded
onto a computer.
‘’Rhino populations in the North West Parks
and Tourism Boards’ protected areas have benefited
greatly from WWF's intervention over the past
five years,’’ said Peter Leitner, the Pilanesberg
National Park Manager.
"Pilanesberg, in particular, has been
very fortunate over the years to receive outside
assistance for both black and white rhino,"he
added.
Rusty Hustler
North West Parks and Tourism Board, WWF project
executant
George Kampamba
WWF African Rhino Coordinator
