Congo's Elephants Increasing in Park Despite War
Date: 26-Jun-06
Country: CONGO
Author: David Lewis
Numbers of other large mammals, such as buffalo and Ugandan kob, are also swelling in Virunga National Park, the New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Congo's Nature Conservation Institute (ICCN) said in a statement.
Virunga, which sits on Democratic Republic of Congo's border with Rwanda and is the oldest national park in Africa, once boasted the highest density of large mammals in the world.
But, during the last decade, it has also been at the heart of two wars, during which poaching spiralled out of control and a plethora of national armies and rebel groups fought over territory and natural resources.
However, a census carried out earlier this month found that wildlife was beginning to return to the Virunga, which is also home to many of the world's few remaining mountain gorillas.
"The results of the census are encouraging, and proof that protecting the park's wildlife can be done in the most turbulent conditions," said Deo Kujirakwinja, head of WCS's Virunga project.
"Poaching is still taking a toll on wildlife and the rate of recovery is being slowed as a result, but it is clear that the efforts of ICCN and its partners are finally leading to a reduction in the level of poaching."
According to the census, the elephant population has increased from 265 to 340 during the last three years. Meanwhile, the number of buffalo has also swollen from 2,300 to 3,800 during the same period.
But protecting Congo's animals has come at a high price for the guards, who are paid US$1 per month by the government but receive some support from other organisations.
"Over 100 park guards in Virunga Park have been killed since 1996 while trying to prevent poaching, and one was killed as recently as May 2006," the conservation groups said.
Conservationists hope that by protecting large mammals in Virunga, as well as other parks in the Congo, the vast former Belgian colony will be able to attract tourists.
Congo is due to hold its first free elections in over 40 years next month. And the polls are meant to draw a line under the last war, which left four million people dead, mostly from hunger and disease.
