52 / 88
52
Figure 15:
Hunting inside protected areas to supply bush-
meat is extensive in many regions, and much is transported by
bicycle to i.e. larger towns like Kindu. The great apes, sometimes
smoked, constitute up to several percent of the total bushmeat,
but with devastating impacts on the great ape populations with
their slow reproductive rates and complex social structure.
activities, including cultivation, pastoralism and hunting
(Lamprey, 2002). A major threat is also the establishment of
an estimated 270,000 cattle in the region surrounding the
park, including heavy grazing pressure, charcoal production
and poaching (Chemonics International Inc, 2003). Without
sufficient resources, training and numbers, the rangers have
limited chance of protecting the parks, in spite of many im-
pressive efforts.
Poaching in this region often occurs across international bor-
ders. Poachers, typically former militias operating from or near
refugee camps in Burundi are also operating and involved in
killing of elephants and smuggling of ivory. Tracking of several
poachers following killings of elephants in Tanzania, has re-
vealed remnants of yellow maize flour around campfires used
by poachers on the move. This maize flour is mainly used and
distributed in Burundian refugee camps, not locally in north-
western Tanzania (Nellemann and Malata, pers. obs). The use
of trackers, and training of rangers in tactical tracking opera-
tions, is a central tool in wildlife crime investigations off the
road system in the entire region, where traditional military and
police tactics are at best complimentary.
Figure 14:
As populations are rapidly rising in the Congo Ba-
sin, so is the pressure on great ape habitat, and even more,
the numbers killed relative to the gorilla populations to supply
bushmeat.
1950
1975
2010
2050
Source: UNDESA, Population on-line database, accessed 23-02-20010
Population growth in Sub-Saharan and Central Africa
Millions
Population density projection in Congo Basin
Average inhabitants per square kilometre
Projected
Projected year for doubling
of the 2010 population
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Central Africa
0
500
1 000
1 500
2 000
1950
1975
2000
2010
2050
2025