Care for Chimp Infants Confiscated from Poachers

Bushmeat is the main source of food for illegal miners in the forest, and the closure of mines has a direct impact on the bushmeat trade. Because of ICCN ranger patrols, there has been a decrease in mining and poaching camps within the Reserve, and increased coverage in the northern sector has provided more stability to the area which has previously not been patrolled. The regular patrols continue to maintain a relatively consistent presence in remote areas, which deters miners and poachers from entering the Reserve.

They 49 new recruits have continued to prove themselves and perform well under the harsh patrol conditions, and we plan to look for and train more rangers when funds become available to support them. More rangers on the ground result in more snares collected, more poachers arrested and the closure of additional illegal mines.

Patrol results April-June 2016:

• 133 patrols were deployed covering almost 4,200 kilometers and 377 days.
• Collected and destroyed 1,210 snares, arrested 18 people, evacuated 575 miners, and destroyed 15 mining camps and 7 poaching camps.
• A relatively low number of animal carcasses were observed (2 elephants)
• OCP is providing food rations, performance bonuses and logistical support for the rangers to control illegal activities that depend on bushmeat to survive while they are in the Reserve.

The ICCN ranger patrols in 2016 are targeting poachers and miners, resulting in the confiscation of many pieces of ivory and bushmeat stockpiles and the destruction of poaching and mining camps. The patrols were recently enhanced by adding 49 newly trained recruits - increasing the number of patrols and expanding the areas currently patrolled. This resulted in more snares collected, more poachers arrested and the closure of additional illegal mines.

There is a direct correlation between illegal mining and bushmeat trade, as the miners depend on bushmeat for their main source of food while they are in the forest. By increasing the number of patrols and expanding the presence of ICCN rangers, the number of miners and mining camps has been greatly reduced. There has been an observable reduction in the bushmeat trade due to the eviction of over 15,000 miners during the preceding 12 months from inside the reserve. The protection offered by ICCN rangers and the Congolese army has allowed OCP to continue its education and community assistance programs which help build stronger relationships with communities within the Reserve which also reduces their dependence on bushmeat as food security is improved.

Patrol Results January to March 2016:

• The new rangers participated in 195 multi-day patrols from January to March 2016 - an increase of over 100 patrol days per month over last year.
• The rangers walked 4,501 kilometres through the forest while on patrol during this period.
• From January to March patrols collected 981 snares, arrested 53 poachers, destroyed 7 poaching camps and 33 mining camps, evacuated 365 miners and confiscated a large volume of mining tools.
• A relatively low number of poached carcasses were observed (2 elephants and 1 chimpanzee).
• OCP is providing food rations and logistical support for the security operation. 

Links:

• Additional updates from OCP