Care for Chimp Infants Confiscated from Poachers

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