Ensuring effective protection of biodiversity, for healthy and productive ecosystems

Growing pressure from urban markets for wild animal meat and by-products is fuelling poaching and over-hunting in even the most remote villages of the Congo Basin. Cooperating with the government to help improve wildlife law enforcement is a priority for the survival of many endemic and threatened species in the Reserve.

CHALLENGES

Growing urban demand: Bushmeat is no longer only consumed locally, but traded out of the region to meet demand in growing urban areas as far away as Kinshasa. Waterways facilitate transport along tributaries of the Congo River.
Increasing crocodile trade: easy to capture by dazzling them or gutting their burrows, dwarf crocodiles can remain alive for several weeks and be transported live. Their growing trade is a worry for their survival.
Illegal wildlife products: despite growing awareness of the risk faced by critically endangered flagship species such as the forest elephant, the lure of profit from ivory fuels the creation of criminal trading networks.

OUR APPROACH

INTELLIGENCE SUPPORT

To improve the efficiency of law enforcement efforts, ecoguards are supported by a local and regional intelligence
network (part of WCS Counter Wildlife Traficking program), to target more accurately areas and networks of interest. The Reserve also relies on specialized software such
as SMART (Spatial Monitoring And Reporting Tool), GIS
(Geographic Information System) and soon Earthranger, a
software tool to facilitate communications.

FIELD DEPLOYMENT

The continuous deployment of ecoguards in the Reserve and its buffer zone helps to combat wildlife crime and raise awareness of wildlife regulations. Two mobile patrols are deployed each month, while the Epena-Impfondo road axis is constantly monitored by a roadside checkpoint.

COLLABORATION WITH THE JUDICIARY

We have developed a good working relationship with the local judicial authorities to ensure that poachers are prosecuted and sentences enforced. In collaboration with the local judicial authorities, we regularly run campaigns to raise awareness of hunting legislation in the reserve’s villages.

ADVANCED TRAINING

Ecoguards undergo extensive training sessions covering various topics, from self-defense and first aid to human rights, as well as annual refresher courses. To ensure a consistent level of knowledge and operationality through the Ndoki-Likouala landscape, these training are harmonized with neighboring protected areas.