PROGRAM GOAL: To increase environmental education and conservation leadership in 11 villages between Walikale and Lubutu in eastern DRC in order to mitigate threats to gorillas, chimpanzees and other wildlife

Zoos Victoria partners with the Jane Goodall Institute to support the Union of Associations for Gorilla Conservation and Community Development (UGADEC) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

UGADEC's core goal is to create ten community reserves, which will cover approximately 1.2 million hectares and form a habitat corridor between two existing national parks (Kahuzi-Biega and Maiko National Parks).  In total, 1.5 million hectares will be protected.

The reserves will cover 90% of the current range of the Eastern Lowland Gorilla, Gorilla beringei graueri, and are critically important for the species’ survival.  The area also supports a vast range of other wildlife, including chimpanzees and Okapi.

THE CONSERVATION ISSUE

The eastern DRC is a global biodiversity hotspot, home to the entire Eastern Lowland Gorilla population and 25% of the Mountain Gorilla, G. berengi berengi, population.  However, high human population densities and extreme poverty due to civil war are putting pressure on the local communities and the environment.  Eastern Lowland Gorillas are now Endangered.

Mining, illegal forestry, charcoal production and increased demand for monkeys as bushmeat also threaten the ongoing survival of the great apes. 

KEY PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

• Create and protect 10 community wildlife reserves
• Establish sustainable alternative livelihoods, such as chicken and fish farming
• Develop sustainable power generation
• Facilitate family planning and health programs
• Provide training for community education

ZOOS VICTORIA'S ROLE 

To complement wildlife protection in Maiko National Park and adjoining areas along its southern boundary, the Jane Goodall Institute (DRC) is implementing an Environmental Education program in ten villages between Walikale and Lubutu. 

Supporting this program is the main focus for Zoos Victoria over the next two years. This project began with a preliminary assessment of the knowledge behavior and practices (CAP study) and aims to increase community understanding of wildlife protection laws and environmental issues, thereby enabling behaviour change to achieve measurable outcomes for wildlife.  Zoos Victoria is funding the JGI Education Coordinator, local travel and administrative costs, and equipment for this program.

The program commenced in 2009 and has already achieved important outcomes:

• Two reserves established and endorsed by the DRC government: Tayna Gorilla Reserve and the Bamate Community Primate Reserve 
• More than 150 community guards trained and employed in the community reserves, undertaking regular forest patrols
• A micro-hydro electric power plant built in Kasugho village, generating 35KW of electricity.  This plant is enabling the area’s first radio station and provides reliable power for local schools
• The first Conservation University in the DRC established
• Villager training to improve livestock management
• Significant decreases in hunting of wildlife and the presence of bush meat in village markets

Zoos Victoria's involvement in this program has enabled:

• The delivery of clean water to two villages as part of the water and sanitation project
• Employment of an Education Coordinator

PROJECT PARTNERS

The Jane Goodall Institute is Zoos Victoria’s direct in-country partner.  The Jane Goodall Instiute works closely with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, Conservation International and a coalition of local community groups to support UGADEC.  

The program is supported by the DRC Government, which has endorsed the establishment of the first two reserves.

The micro-hydro electric powerplant in Kasugho village generates power for local schools and the area’s first radio station