Gorilla Journal Journal of Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Gorilla
Journal
Journal of Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe
No. 62, June 2021
Why Rangers Pressures on Strengthened Motherless
in Virunga Are Natural Resources Human–Wildlife Gorillas Beat the
Under Attack of the Maiko Conflict Measures Odds
National Park in the VirungasBERGGORILLA & REGENWALD DIREKTHILFE
CONTENTS Authors of this Issue Dr. Robin Morrison is a postdoctor-
al researcher at the Dian Fossey Goril-
D. R. Congo 3 Jean Claude Kyungu led an ecol- la Fund and an honorary research fel-
Why Rangers in the Virunga ogy NGO (SEPRONA) between 1994 low at the University of Exeter’s Centre
National Park Are Under Attack 3 and 1999. Since 1997, he has been for Research in Animal Behaviour. She
Another Attack on Rangers in the the North Kivu consultant on biodiver- uses long-term data on mountain go-
Virunga National Park 3 sity. He headed the Tayna Gorilla Re- rillas to investigate questions relating
Restoration of Sarambwe Ranger serve and the Walikale Community Go- to social evolution, social complexity
Post and Current Activities 4 rilla Reserve and was Project Manag- and gorilla conservation. She complet-
Support Needed! 5 er for the Tshiaberimu Gorilla Project ed her PhD at the University of Cam-
Pressures on Natural Resources in the Parc National des Virunga for bridge on the social structure of west-
of the Maiko National Park 6 The Gorilla Organization. In Septem- ern lowland gorillas.
Fuel-efficient Stoves at Mount ber 2008 he became conservator for Liliane Nakayima joined IGCP in
Tshiaberimu 7 the Mt. Tshiaberimu sector of the Virun- Sept 2020 as a communications offic-
Uganda 9 ga National Park. From 2017 to 2019, er. Liliane is a Rwandese national and
Gorilla Baby Boom in Bwindi? 9 he was the Director of the Itombwe Re- holds a bachelor’s degree in in Mass
COVID-19 10 serve and in 2020 became the Chief of Communication from Uganda Christian
COVID-19 in Captive Gorillas 10 the Maiko National Park. University. She is in charge of IGCP’s
Gorillas 11 Dr. Esther Marijnen is an Assis- effective communication to both inter-
Strengthened Human–Wildlife tant Professor at the Conflict Research nal and external publics, keeping them
Conflict Measures Restore Hope Group, Ghent University, and linked to updated with information on mountain
in the Virungas 11 the Center for Public Authority and In- gorilla conservation in the region.
Motherless Gorillas Beat the Odds 12 ternational Development (CPAID) at Claude Sikubwabo Kiyengo con-
Increased Gorilla Density May the London School of Economics. In ducted a gorilla survey in the Maiko
Lead to Increased Aggression 13 her current work she focuses on how National Park and took part in a gorilla
Reading 14 nature is governed in areas of armed census in Kahuzi-Biega. He worked for
New on the Internet 14 conflict. Adopting a political ecology the ICCN in Goma, for the IUCN pro-
Berggorilla & Regenwald approach, she works on the militarisa- gram PPP and for the regional office
Direkthilfe 15 tion of conservation, natural resources, of IUCN in Central Africa. He was chief
Finances 15 public authority and dynamics of violent conservator of the Parc National des
conflict. She has been conducting field Virunga, central sector, the coordinator
research in the Democratic Republic of of the NGO VONA, the PACEBCo ex-
Congo since 2013. pert for conservation and biodiversity
in the Virunga region (COMIFAC), and
since 2008 he has been our assistant.
Dr. Judith Verweijen is a Lectur-
Bank Account: er in International Relations at the De-
IBAN DE06 3625 0000 0353 3443 15 partment of Politics & IR at the Univer-
Gorilla Journal 62, June 2021 BIC SPMHDE3E sity of Sheffield. Her work is situated at
Editor: Dr. Angela Meder Switzerland: the intersection of conflict studies, criti-
Augustenstr. 122, 70197 Stuttgart, IBAN CH90 0900 0000 4046 1685 7 cal military studies and political ecol-
Germany BIC POFICHBEXXX ogy, and explores militarization, armed
E-mail meder@berggorilla.org mobilization, and natural resource con-
Editing, translation and proofread- Organisation Address: flicts in areas of protracted violent con-
ing: Ann DeVoy, Bettina and Andrew Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe flict. She focuses on eastern DRC,
Grieser Johns, Bronwen Hodges, Cal- c/o Burkhard Broecker where she has conducted intermittent
lum McCabe Juedenweg 3 fieldwork since 2010, in particular in the
Cover: Renovation works at the buf- 33161 Hoevelhof, Germany Kivu provinces.
falo wall and trench provide an oppor- E-mail broecker@berggorilla.org
tunity to park-edge residents to earn a Website:
daily wage. Photo: IGCP http://www.berggorilla.org
2 Gorilla Journal 62, June 2021D. R. CONGO
Why Rangers in the of the numerous armed groups hiding
and operating within the park. This can, Another Attack
Virunga National Park Are in part, be explained by the rangers’ in-
Under Attack creased efforts to halt illegal natural re- on Rangers in the
sources exploitation in the park, such Virunga National Park
Staff working in the Virunga National as the production of charcoal and ille-
Park have often come under attack – gal fishing, which are important sourc- On 10 January 2021, 6 rangers
more than 200 rangers have died in es of revenue for many armed groups. lost their lives in an attack by
the line of duty since 1925. Why does Some of these efforts entail close col- armed assailants. Another rang
this happen and what must be done to laboration with the Congolese army, er was seriously wounded. The
better protect them? such as joint patrols, intelligence shar- rangers were ambushed while on
ing and sometimes joint operations. foot patrol in the Central sector
Why is Virunga National Park so For rebel groups, this is a reason to of the park. It seems that the
vital for conservation? rangers were taken by surprise
Virunga National Park is one of Africa’s and had no opportunity to defend
most biodiverse protected areas and protected area themselves. According to the
is home to one third of the world’s wild national border ICCN (Institut Congolais pour la
mountain gorillas. It is also special Conservation de la Nature) local
due to its location within the eastern Mai Mai are probably responsible
Democratic Republic of the Congo, a Beni for the attack.
zone of protracted violent conflict.
ori
DEMOCRAT.
nz
The conflict in this region defies
we
Mutsora
Ru
easy explanation. It involves over 130 REP. CONGO consider the park guards a threat to
armed groups and is driven by a com- their spheres of influence, sources of
plex range of factors. These include revenue and even existence.
conflict over land and natural resourc- Butembo Armed groups also once kidnapped
es, struggles around local authority (for tourists, which was aimed at sabotag-
instance, the succession of chiefs), in- Mt. Tshiaberimu ing the park’s tourism potential.
terference by neighbouring countries Another, more indirect reason why
and militarised political competition. park guards are under attack relates
Ongoing violence makes the pro- to anti-park sentiments among parts of
tection of the park challenging, though the local population. There are numer-
park rangers are not the only group to Lake ous conflicts between the park man-
Edward
face insecurity – the park, and its sur- agement and people living around the
roundings, are also very deadly for ci- park, which relate, amongst others, to
vilians. For example, at the beginning contestations around the boundaries of
of January at least 22 civilians were Rwindi the park, grievances about land appro-
massacred during a raid attributed to priation, and the regulation of the use
a rebel group in a village bordering the of natural resources. Armed groups, of-
park in Beni territory. Nyamilima ten closely linked to the population due
to family and other social ties, utilise
What is the context within which
UGANDA these conflicts to obtain a measure of
Rutshuru
attacks on rangers in Virunga Na- Tongo support in the areas where they oper-
tional Park occur? ate. This includes the groups operat-
In general, the security situation in Rumangabo ing around Nyamilima, where the at-
North-Kivu – where the park is located Nyamulagira tack on 10 January took place. There
Mikeno-Sector
– shows no signs of improving, as Nyiragongo are strong tensions in this area, as
violence is ongoing. the park is aiming to erect an electric
Moreover, over the past five to sev-
Goma
RWANDA fence. This project is heavily disputed
en years, the park guards have increas- by the population, as they contest the
Lake Kivu
ingly become a specific target of some park’s boundaries.
3 Gorilla Journal 62, June 2021D. R. CONGO
It is important to stress that this The park rangers – currently around ed, starting on 6 May 2021. The prov-
doesn’t mean that people living in 689 – are outnumbered by the armed ince is placed under military rule, while
the area endorse the use of violence groups operating in the park and are security forces are given extraordinary
against park guards; in fact, many peo- a very vulnerable target. Efforts to in- powers. However, it is questionable
ple condemn these acts and are com- crease the park guards’ protection whether armed groups can be tack-
mitted to non-violent conflict resolution. have so far not proven to be very effec- led through military measures alone.
Nevertheless, through our work, we’ve tive. Park guards themselves feel this Virunga National Park is therefore like-
observed that attacks are more likely to very clearly. While they are consistently ly to remain plagued by insecurity for
take place in areas marked by intense depicted as heroes and martyrs, many the foreseeable future.
conflicts. are very afraid – and reluctant – to lose Judith Verweijen and Esther Marijnen
Despite some recurring features, the their lives.
context and circumstances of each at- In addition, the current approach This article was first published in The
tack are different. Attacks should there- has worsened relations between the Conversation Africa (Johannesburg)
fore be investigated individually. This park and local populations. During our on 14 January 2021
will help to hold perpetrators to account research in the area, we found peo-
and create a better understanding of ple fear and distrust the park guards.
their motivations and objectives, which These tense relations are also regret- Restoration of Sarambwe
is important to avoid future attacks. ted by the park guards we have spo- Ranger Post and Current
ken to. Some of them wish they were Activities
What steps have been taken to pro- less expected to work as “soldiers” and
tect the park and its rangers? more as conservationists. The Sarambwe ranger post was
Park guards receive sophisticated We believe that the park guards’ se- attacked during the evening of 10
military-style training, including combat curity can be improved in two ways: October 2020 by a Mai Mai group
techniques, to defend themselves. operating in the vicinity of Sarambwe.
They also have advanced logistical – First, it is crucial to prioritise resolv- A few days before the attack, several
and communications equipment to ing conflicts with the people living neighbouring villages had been at
allow for rapid movement and up-to- around the park, and for the park to tacked and looted, including the village
date information. engage in more dialogue. In addi- of the Sarambwe head tracker.
In addition, the park has developed tion, the park should intensify efforts During the attack, the post lost an
an extensive system of aerial surveil- to protect the population against officer of the ranger force and about
lance to track the bases and move- rampant insecurity. a third of its belongings (mattresses,
ments of armed groups. Furthermore, – Second, a comprehensive strategy chairs, solar panels, lighting, cooking
to operate in the more dangerous ar- needs to be developed for dealing pots etc.). The whole post was riddled
eas, it has created a quick reaction with the armed groups operating in with bullets, the walls were damaged
force, which is a more heavily armed the park. Clearly, this is not the pri- and the roofing over the kitchen and
unit deployed for robust operations. mary responsibility of the park, but
Finally, in some areas, park guards of the Congolese government and
operate jointly with the Congolese the army, as well as politicians and
army, which has a much larger pres- community leaders.
ence throughout the park.
Unfortunately, as the ongoing insecurity
How effective is this strategy and testifies, there are limited signs that
what else can be done? such a strategy is in the making,
The current response of increased implying that both the park guards and
military-style training and operations the people living in the Virunga area
has led to inadvertent consequences, will remain exposed to insecurity for the
setting off a vicious cycle of violence. foreseeable future.
Increased pressure on armed groups To combat the growing insecurity,
and collaboration with the Congolese the Congolese government announced
army leads almost inevitably to a state of siege for North Kivu province, The new kitchen roofing
counterattacks. where Virunga National Park is locat- Photo: Mumbere Nzanzu Getride
4 Gorilla Journal 62, June 2021D. R. CONGO
The renovated Sarambwe patrol
post
Photo: Mumbere Nzanzu Getride
for poachers and wood collectors. In-
formation about illegal activities started
coming in from all over the reserve.
I talked to the trackers and found
that they felt confident and had decid-
ed to resume their work – whether the
ICCN rangers and supporting soldiers
joined them or not. Following this deci-
sion, Berggorilla & Regenwald Direk-
thilfe sprang into action to repair the
ranger post to make it habitable again.
They replaced all the windowpanes, all
the damaged roof sheets and all the
missing equipment such as mattress-
the storeroom was destroyed. were also retrieved and secured else- es, chairs, tarpaulins, solar panels,
ICCN decided to pull back both ICCN where. The reserve was complete- batteries, lighting, voltage stabilisers,
staff and the loyal supporting troops for ly abandoned: no rangers, no military lightbulbs, walkie-talkies and kitchen-
their own safety. The remaining goods support, no trackers. It was a bonanza ware. Making the post habitable again
Support Needed!
We now provide regular financial – Support for community-based go- It is quite clear that we cannot
support for patrolling by rangers rilla monitoring in five communities meet all of these requests, but
and trackers in four protected ar- on the edge of Maiko National Park: with your help we could find the
eas of the Democratic Republic of EUR 10,000; money for at least some – a de-
the Congo. Since we never know – One year’s worth of rations for pa- cision on which are most urgent
how much money will come in over trols in Maiko National Park: EUR will be made by B&RD in consul-
the year, this severely limits our 7,200; tation with Claude Sikubwabo.
ability to provide other support, es- – Support for CoCoSi 2021 (planning
pecially urgent once-off donations meeting) for Maiko National Park: If you can help us finance a spe-
for protected areas and the com- EUR 2,000; cific project, please contact Angela
munities. We would therefore be – Management and maintenance of Meder at
very happy to find sponsors for the vehicle used by the Maiko Park meder@berggorilla.org
these urgent activities. Currently, office for one year: EUR 12,000;
the following requests are on our – EUR 500 per month for food and You are also welcome to donate
list: EUR 100 per month for medical sup- via PayPal if you prefer this:
– More community-based cours- plies to support patrols in Itombwe http://www.berggorilla.org/en/help/
es to train people in the man- over one year: EUR 7,200. donate
ufacture of fuel-saving stoves:
EUR 7,135 per course; Bank Details: Address:
– Solar street lamps for addition- IBAN: DE06 3625 0000 0353 3443 15 Berggorilla & Regenwald
al communities surrounding the BIC SPMHDE3E Direkthilfe
Itombwe Reserve: EUR 6,625; Switzerland: IBAN: CH90 0900 0000 c/o Burkhard Broecker
– Mushroom cultivation project on 4046 1685 7 Juedenweg 3
Mt. Tshiaberimu: EUR 3,194; BIC POFICHBEXXX 33161 Hoevelhof, Germany
5 Gorilla Journal 62, June 2021D. R. CONGO
proved to ICCN and the local popu- During the last three months, the The threats to the park’s staff and
lation that Berggorilla could be relied trackers identified four violations at the its biodiversity include traditional and
upon to support the conservation and border between the reserve and Ugan- armed poaching, artisanal mining, de-
the development of the reserve. da. They found two fallow fields, one forestation due to the encroachment of
Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe field of coffee plants owned by a Ugan- the park by armed groups and farmers,
did not stop there. It has also extended dan woman, a fire set to clear an area and the illegal trafficking of live young
its support to the local people who lost for cultivation, and one case of poach- animals such as gorillas, okapis, chim-
their livestock during the attacks on the ing. panzees and crocodiles.
post and its neighbouring villages, pro- Claude Sikubwabo Threats to conservation targets, and
viding the funds to buy 34 goats and to the protected area in general, need
ten sheep. This was a very important to be monitored to assess how they af-
gesture for the people and for the main- Pressures on Natural fect the quantity and quality of biologi-
tenance of the warning system. Resources of the Maiko cal resources. As part of the method-
National Park, a Challenge ology, existing conservation strategies
Work of the trackers and the chal- for the Management need to be reviewed to determine how
lenges of renewal to reduce the impact of threats on con-
After the Sarambwe post was restored, Management of the Maiko National servation targets, or to eliminate them
the commander of the Armed Forces Park (MNP) has remained difficult altogether. A monitoring programme is
of the Democratic Republic of the due to the presence of armed groups presently being carried out, supported
Congo (FARDC) deployed a squadron in different sectors of the park. The by FFI (Fauna and Flora Internation-
of soldiers next to the post to keep it precarious security situation has re al) and Berggorilla & Regenwald Di
secure. Two trackers live at the post sulted in the movement of people rekthilfe, which aims to continuously
and the other eight live in their own around and through the park and the document biodiversity and threats to
houses nearby. Goods retrieved after proliferation of weapons, resulting in the MNP.
the attack have been brought back for increased use and degradation of the This article compares trends in
the trackers to use. park’s biodiversity. threats faced by the park in 2020 to
The trackers carry on as normal, pa-
trolling six days a week, looking after
the compound and maintaining three
to four trails every month. Since the
beginning of this year, they have car-
ried out 77 patrols, prevented the en-
croachment of the reserve by loggers,
stopped the establishment of fields by
six Ugandans, and extinguished bush
fires in three subsections, thereby pre-
venting their spread.
During the course of their activities,
the trackers have been unwavering in
their pursuit of offenders, particularly
when they encounter them during pa-
trols. They continue to work on their
own, without the help of any ICCN rep-
resentative to interrogate, raise aware-
ness and issue warnings to the wrong-
doers. In such cases, the trackers are
unsure whether they should release
the offenders or take them to the po-
lice. The presence of an ICCN repre-
sentative with legal powers is required A delegation of the FDS arrives in Oso to meet the new park management
but continues to be problematic. Photo: ICCN
6 Gorilla Journal 62, June 2021D. R. CONGO
12 villages. This enabled a reduction in
11 poaching by the beginning of 2021, but
10
– as shown by patrol results in March
2021 – there was a consequent surge
9
in mining operations. The challenge is
8 to address both poaching and mining
7 simultaneously, which is especially dif-
6 ficult considering that the mining op-
5 erators are protected by the so-called
Forces Divines Simba (FDS). The gov-
4
ernment has initiated the demobilisa-
3
tion and disarmament of the FDS un-
2 der the supervision of the ICCN (Con-
1 golese Institute for Nature Protection),
0 but the monitoring of the biodiversity in
Feb. Apr. June Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. the MNP remains problematic until this
month (2020) process has been completed.
In order to provide adequate solu-
Number of patrols during the respective months in 2020 tions to the threats facing the MNP and
Figure: ICCN to optimise effectiveness of the avail-
able human, financial and material re-
those of the first quarter of 2021. This place. The figure shows the results of sources, a process of programme cat-
provides a basis for the reorientation the SMART Analysis reports. egorisation and prioritisation has been
of law enforcement. Foot patrols are While a significant proportion of the put into place as used by the SNCB
considered a strategy for the monitor- monitored poacher camps were in- (Stratégie Nationale de Conservation
ing and tracking of species in the MNP. active, there was a marked increase de la Biodiversité) which defines three
This strategy is based on measura- in activity in the gold digger camps programme categories linked to struc-
ble indicators of threat protection and in February 2021. The trend towards turing, management and development,
mitigation efforts. In total, 32 monitor- high levels of mining activity could at- and sets priorities for each.
ing patrols were organised with more tract poaching to the area. Poaching in- Jean Claude Kyungu
than half conducted in the second half creased in 2020, but the bushmeat traf-
of 2020. No scientific research took fickers were tracked to the surrounding
Fuel-efficient Stoves at
Frequency Mount Tshiaberimu
calculated
by SMART Efficient charcoal-fired stoves have
0.09 been in use throughout the eastern
0.08 Democratic Republic of the Congo
0.07 for more than a decade. Everyone is
0.06 convinced of the efficiency of these
0.05 stoves. Traditional stoves use twice
0.04 as much charcoal as these improved
0.03
stoves. For example, a household using
0.02
0.01
5 to 6 bags (40 kg each) of charcoal per
0 month in a traditional stove can reduce
mining hunting extraction of logging fishing consumption to 2.5 to 3 bags with an
non-timber improved stove. A 40 kg bag of charcoal
forest products costs USD 15, so rather than spending
USD 90 for 6 bags, households using
Summary of threats during 2020 efficient stoves will save USD 45 each
Figure: ICCN month.
7 Gorilla Journal 62, June 2021D. R. CONGO
This type of fuel-efficient stove can
be used for more than three years. It
is topped by a metal plate but the body
of the stove, where charcoal is burnt, is
made of clay. The clay can be replaced
and is much cheaper. The price of a
good stove ranges between USD 25
and USD 55. The most common stoves
cost between USD 5 and USD 15 and
the price is decreasing. Traditional
stoves cost up to USD 2 with a lifetime
of up to six months, but are well known,
so they sell easily.
We have initiated a project for
the manufacture of improved stoves
around Mount Tshiaberimu (or Tshia-
birimu) that was funded by Berggorilla
& Regenwald Direkthilfe with a dona-
tion from the Gaia Nature Fund. The
project goal is to enable the surround-
ing population to benefit from their in-
troduction, to add value to the planta-
tions that were established in the past,
and to reduce the need for collecting The participants after the training
firewood in the park. The current re- Photo: Kasereka Neema Gervais
sults of the project are as follows:
manufactured 247 stoves and sold The fact that no cutting of firewood
– The project started with the delivery 180; the third group produced 191 was observed can be explained in sev-
of theoretical and practical training. and sold 140. The remaining 67 eral ways. In 2016 and 2017, Berg-
Training took place in July 2020, stoves, manufactured during training gorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe funded
resulting in the creation of three and in August, were soon sold too. a project that produced and planted
groups of producers of improved – The total number of stoves produced 14,000 seedlings around Mount Tshia-
stoves who initially worked in three since the start of the project is 545, berimu. This project was coupled with
villages: Vurusi, Ngitse and Kisanga. 457 of which have been sold. sensitisation and information activities
The three groups subsequently on gorilla conservation and nature pro-
established their production sites. Manufacturing work continues. tection. From 2011 to 2014, a large
They were monitored during August As to the project’s goal, the popu- school nursery project allowed almost
to ensure that they had mastered lation benefits in two ways: they use the entire population around Mount
the skills required and to provide the stoves themselves, thereby reduc- Tshiaberimu to establish small tree
support as needed. ing their consumption of charcoal, and plantations, and this is where the peo-
– During training, 67 stoves were they sell them. This may partly explain ple now obtain the wood and charcoal
produced of which 40 were sold. why, from October 2020 to March 2021, that they need. The project for the man-
During August, each apprentice rangers and trackers observed no col- ufacture of improved stoves will allow
made one stove, so an additional 40 lection of firewood in the area where these tree plantations to be maintained
stoves were produced. they work. However, they did observe in the long term as the use of the im-
– Because the materials required 26 cases of bamboo being cut. Six- proved stoves allows for a minimal con-
for manufacturing the stoves are teen were related to poaching, in each sumption of charcoal.
located some distance away, the case 1–4 bamboo poles were cut to set Claude Sikubwabo Kiyengo
first and second group joined to form traps. In the remaining 10 cases, bam-
a single group. From September boo was cut to make baskets or to be
2020 to March 2021, this joint group used in construction.
8 Gorilla Journal 62, June 2021UGANDA
Gorilla Baby Boom in In the Rushegura group in Buhoma,
a baby was born by Kibande on 27 Au-
Bwindi? gust, her fifth offspring. Ruterana in the
In 2020, many gorillas were born same family was seen with her third
within the Bwindi Impenetrable Natio offspring at the beginning of Septem-
nal Park’s gorilla population; an ex ber. Another baby was born in that fam-
ceptional number of 6 gorillas within ily on 11 November by Munyana. This
7 weeks even led the Uganda Wildlife increases the Rushegura group’s size
Authority to announce a “baby boom”. to 19.
In total, 15 gorillas were born that year, On 4 September, Ndinkahe gave
which is comparable to the situation birth in the Mucunguzi family. In the
during previous years, as Martha Mukiza group, Korogyezi gave birth on
Robbins told us. 11 October to Kwetegyeka, raising the
The first babies were noted in the number of group members to 15. In the
Katwe group on 16 January, the moth- Kutu family, a newly habituated group, The mother Katoto and her baby
er is Ntabwoba, and in the Kahungye a baby was born on 21 October as the Sabato (Oruzogo group) in
group on 20 January by a female who 11th member of the group. November 2020
has yet to be named. The next mother At the beginning of 2021, the first Photo: Julius Mutale/MPI EVAN
to give birth was Bwebisha in the Muki- baby was noticed already on 4 Janu-
za group on 17 February. ary – Nkuringo family’s female Nder-
In the Muyambi group, a baby was ema gave birth to a new baby, bring-
born on 25 April; the mother does not ing the family size to 12 members. It is
yet have a name as the group with Nderema’s second infant.
only six members was opened to tour- Summary of blog entries by the
ism only in 2019. In the Nshongi fam- Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and
ily, Kabagyenyi had her baby on 1 other sources
May. Births followed in the Nkuringo
family on 22 May, in the
Mubare group on 22 July
by Nyampazi (this rais-
es the group size to 9),
in the Oruzogo family on
25 July by Katoto – the
baby was named Saba
to – and in the Busigye
family on 28 July by an
unnamed female.
Korogyezi’s baby
Kwetegyeka (Mukiza
group) in December
2020
Photo: Julius Mutale/
MPI EVAN
9 Gorilla Journal 62, June 2018COVID-19
COVID-19 in Captive COVID-19 safety protocols from the blood cells) therapy. The monoclonal
Centers for Disease Control and Pre- antibody therapy originated from a sup-
Gorillas vention (CDC) and San Diego County ply that was not permitted for human
Several gorillas at the San Diego Zoo Public Health as well as wearing pro- use. The veterinary team who treat-
Safari Park have tested positive for tective equipment when near the goril- ed Winston believe the antibodies may
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes las. This is the first known instance of have contributed to his ability to over-
COVID-19. On 6 January, two of the natural transmission to great apes. come the virus.
gorillas began coughing and faecal The eight-member group remained The network of collaborators has
samples from them were tested quarantined together and was un- also provided San Diego Zoo Global
through the California Animal Health der close observation. Some goril- veterinarians with a limited supply of a
and Food Safety Laboratory System. las showed symptoms including mild recombinant purified spike protein vac-
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s coughing, congestion, nasal discharge cine, intended for use in protecting ani-
(USDA) National Veterinary Services and intermittent lethargy. The silver- mals against SARS-CoV-2. The vac-
Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed the back Winston (49) showed more se- cine doses originated from a supply
positive results. The gorillas were rious symptoms including cough and strictly intended for nonhuman use. In
infected with the B.1.429 lineage lethargy, and because of underlying the meantime, orang-utans and bono-
of the coronavirus, which has been medical conditions underwent a diag- bos received their vaccination at the
increasingly identified in California and nostic examination under anaesthesia. San Diego Zoo.
may be more contagious than other Veterinarians confirmed pneumonia San Diego Zoo Safari Park re-
strains. and heart disease. Following consulta- opened for the public on 13 February,
It is suspected the gorillas acquired tion with specialists, treatment was ini- 2021, making it possible to see the go-
the infection from an asymptomat- tiated, including heart medications, an- rillas again who had fully recovered.
ic staff member, despite following all tibiotics and monoclonal antibody (an- This was possible thanks to the incred-
recommended precautions including tibodies made by cloning unique white ible work of wildlife care professionals,
the veterinary team and collaborations
with a wide array of colleagues and
partners who ensured that the highest
standard of care was given to the af-
fected gorillas.
On 25 February, another captive go-
rilla was tested with positive results for
COVID-19 in a faecal sample: the sil-
verback Richard in Prague Zoo. For the
other gorillas, results were negative. As
some of the keepers’ tests were also
positive, it is assumed that the virus
was transferred to the gorilla by them.
Richard’s symptoms were mild: loss
of appetite and fatigue. To avoid ex-
treme stress, he was not separated
from the rest of the group. During the
following days, the females Shinda and
Kijivu also tested positive; one of them
had no symptoms at all whilst in the
other they were very mild. After a week,
Richard’s condition had improved con-
siderably. Apart from the gorillas, two
lions and some other cats were also
SARS-CoV-2 positive.
Summary of press releases by San
Winston recovering from the infection Photo: San Diego Zoo Global Diego Zoo Global and Zoo Prague
10 Gorilla Journal 62, June 2021GORILLAS
Strengthened Human–
Wildlife Conflict Measures
Restore Hope in the
Virungas
Regardless of the scotching sun and
laborious work, a delighted face is
the perfect description of Jean Bosco
Ntawukibiwabo, as he works on a
3 m deep trench at the boundary of
Volcanoes National Park in Bugeshi
sector, Rubavu district. The trench is
an extension of the buffalo wall built
around the Volcanoes National Park Renovation works provide an opportunity for park-edge residents to earn
perimeter to prevent problem animals, a daily wage. With the buffalo wall and trench in place, park-edge farmers
especially buffalos, from crossing over hope for better yields without raids from problem animals.
to neighbouring gardens to raid crops. Photo: IGCP
Bugeshi sector is a transboundary area
adjacent to both Volcanoes National boundary local communities in Bugeshi by the heavy rains and floods.
Park in Rwanda and Virunga National area and Cyanika in Musanze District Commenting on the relevance of
Park in the Democratic Republic of to renovate 7 km of the buffalo wall and the existing Human–Wildlife Con-
the Congo. Just like other park-edge trench to ensure that the HWC gains flict measures to the community, Jean
communities, the community in Bugeshi are sustained. The trench has been in- Bosco notes that the local communi-
is challenged by problem animals. creased in length to between 2.5 and ties are grateful to IGCP and the park
However, human–wildlife measures 3 m in depth to minimise any chance for their effort in addressing HWC in
such as the trench and buffalo wall are of buffalos crossing over from the park the area. Jean Bosco adds that sev-
helping to address the conflict. into the neighbouring gardens. eral people who had lost hope in farm-
“I wouldn’t know the right words The buffalo wall and trench mainte- ing have since been motivated afresh
to describe how much this trench nance work was done by members of to farm even closer to the park bound-
has contributed to better harvest and the local community working under 14 ary and are optimistic for better yields.
household income. With the trench conservation cooperatives at a small Talking with the community mem-
in place our crops are now safe from fee. Members of the cooperatives re- bers of Bugeshi, it is clear that the
problem animals that used to destroy veal that the wages earned from this buffalo wall and trench have played
them,” narrates Jean Bosco. Jean work enabled them to meet the ba- a key role in managing problem ani-
Bosco recalls the ordeal of having to sic needs of their families, especially mals, minimising crop raiding incidenc-
invest in farming but yielding almost food. “Every worker earned Rwf 1500 es, increasing crop yields and repairing
nothing. Several years back, buffalos per day. This money helped most of us park–community relations.
raided and destroyed his Irish potato to take care of their essentials includ- Meanwhile, the Virunga Nation-
farm; where he expected a harvest of ing paying for community-based health al Park in collaboration with the park-
one and a half tonnes, Jean Bosco only insurance, renovation of pit latrines edge communities in transboundary ar-
harvested 500 kg which could not even and food among others,” says Venuste eas of Kibumba in Congo and Bugeshi
sustain his family. Ndacayisenga, a member of a Land in Rwanda successfully erected an
Inaugurated in 2004 by IGCP (In- conservation cooperative (KOSUBU). electric fence to enforce Human–Wild-
ternational Gorilla Conservation Pro- To ensure its effectiveness, the life Conflict management. The 2.5 m
gramme) in collaboration with park staff trench is routinely maintained by the high fence will cover 3.5 km along the
and local communities, the 1 m high community members during their Virunga National Park perimeter and
and 76 km long dry-stone buffalo wall monthly communal work, locally known serve as a barrier against problem
was established to address Human– as Umuganda. Regular maintenance animals. The erected fence is an ex-
Wildlife Conflict (HWC) in the area. helps to monitor and patch possible tension of the existing 100 km electric
Currently IGCP is working with trans- animal escape points usually created fence around Virunga National Park.
11 Gorilla Journal 62, June 2021GORILLAS
lations will gradually improve, allowing of the group helps buffer the loss by
for peaceful co-existence” says Ben- strengthening their social relationships
jamin Mugabukomeye, IGCP Rwanda with the orphans.
Country Coordinator. Mothers are incredibly important for
Liliane Nakayima survival early in life – this is some-
thing that is shared across all mam-
mals. But in social mammals, like our-
Motherless Gorillas Beat selves, mothers often continue to pro-
the Odds vide vital support up to adulthood and
even beyond. In many species, like our
Researchers at the Dian Fossey Go- close relatives, chimpanzees, individu-
Erythrina trees planted along the rilla Fund have used more than 50 als without mothers suffer higher mor-
reinforced stone wall years of data from Rwanda to discover tality or may be less successful parents
Photo: IGCP how maternal loss influences young themselves, and this finding can hold
gorillas’ social relationships, survival even if the loss occurs in early adult-
In a related development, about and future reproduction. The study hood. But these new findings show that
38,100 Erythrina trees have been shows that when young mountain mountain gorillas really go against this
planted along the stone wall in Mgahin- gorillas lose their mothers, the rest trend.
ga Gorilla National Park stretching from
Rwanda to the DRC border points, cov-
ering a stretch of 12.7 km.
The actions that were spearhead-
ed by IGCP’s Water4Virungas project
in collaboration with the local commu-
nities and Uganda Wildlife Authority
were aimed at preventing problem ani-
mals like buffalos from raiding crops in
neighbouring farms, reducing conflict
and improving park–community rela-
tions in the area.
About 40 community members par-
ticipated in the planting of Erythrina and
the renovation of the stone wall. Each
member earned about 11,200,000
Uganda Shillings that enabled them to
meet personal and household needs.
Planted on both sides of the stone
wall, Erythrina helps in strengthening
the stone wall and filling up escape
points for problem animals from the
park to neighbouring gardens. Addi-
tionally, another 1.2 km of the current
12.7 km stone wall was also renovat-
ed and strengthened with cement and
sand.
“With such HWC management initi-
atives in place and continued commu-
nity involvement in conservation works,
ownership of established measures will The silverback Bwenge takes care of Ntaribi and Akaramata after their
be strengthened, Human–Wildlife Con- mother died.
flict reduced and park–community re- Photo: Veronica Vecellio/Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
12 Gorilla Journal 62, June 2021GORILLAS
Since 1967, 59 gorillas studied by ensures that orphans do not become the Volcanoes National Park in Rwan-
the Dian Fossey Gorilla fund have lost socially isolated and continue to have da; compared to 2006, the social unit
their mothers after they were able to access to food and other resources. (groups and solitary males) density
feed themselves but before they were Our capacity to care for other group was two to three times higher in 2007
fully mature (between the ages of two and family members in times of need to 2017. This had a marked effect on
and eight). This happened either when may be deeply rooted within our DNA gorilla behaviour and demography: it
the mother died (30.5 % of cases) or and something we share with gorillas. led to a threefold increase in the rate
when she transferred into another Just like us, gorillas live long lives, so of violent encounters between social
group without them (69.5 % of cases). it takes years for researchers to re- units.
The study shows that these gorillas do cord the rare and fascinating behav- During such encounters, females of-
not have any greater risk of dying than iours that occur over a gorilla’s life- ten transfer to other units, so the rate of
those whose mothers are still around. time. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund’s female transfers per year increased too –
In addition, maternal loss does not ap- dataset, one of the longest of any ani- it was a tenfold increase between the
pear to have any long-term effect on mal species, stretches back more than periods 2000–2006 and 2007–2017.
the young gorillas’ eventual ability to 50 years, helping us understand how When a mother of an infant transfers
produce and rear offspring themselves. much we share with one of our closest to another mountain gorilla social unit,
What does change, however, is the relatives as we work to protect them her infant is frequently killed by the new
number of affiliative interactions they and their biodiverse habitat. silverback. Therefore, the increase in
have with other group members, which Robin E. Morrison female transfers led to an increase in
increases dramatically after they are or- male aggression toward infants. The
phaned. This causes them to become Original publication: infanticide rate per infant per year in-
better integrated in the social group Morrison, R. E., Eckardt, W., Colchero, creased 4.5-fold between 2000–2006
and may help buffer the social adver- F., Vecellio, V. & Stoinski, T. S. (2021): and 2007–2017. This infanticide in-
sity experienced after maternal loss. Social groups buffer maternal loss in crease was responsible for a decrease
This support from other group mem- mountain gorillas. eLife 10, e62939 in the subpopulation’s annual growth
bers may be similar to what we see in rate that dropped from an estimated
humans, where other family members 5.05 % in 2000 to 2.37 % in 2017. In-
and even non-relatives can step into Increased Gorilla Density fanticide is responsible for more than
key roles in caring for children. May Lead to Increased half of the decrease in the growth rate.
Mountain gorillas live in close-knit Aggression During aggressive encounters, more
“family” groups including a dominant males were wounded fatally during the
silverback male who leads the group, The number of mountain gorillas on period 2007–2017 than during the pe-
multiple adult females, their immature the Virunga Volcanoes has increased riod 2000–2006: seven males com-
offspring and, in some cases, subor- continuously for four decades now, as pared to one died. Other factors that
dinate adult males. Male gorillas are was shown during the last censuses. may contribute to the reduction in the
known to care for young members of The size of their habitat, however, growth rate are for example stress and
their group, regardless of paternity. In did not increase during that time, so disease – stress because of the higher
her lifetime, Dian Fossey noted, “The the gorilla density increased too. This number of aggressive encounters and
extraordinary gentleness of the adult means that the gorillas’ competition for more disease transmissions because
male with his young dispels all the King resources may also have increased. of more contacts with other units.
Kong mythology” – an observation re- Damien Caillaud and his colleagues
inforced by this study, which found that wanted to find out which effects gorilla Summary of:
the dominant silverback male plays a density had – especially on their social Caillaud, D., Eckardt, W., Vecellio, V.,
particularly important role in supporting behaviour and whether this affected the Ndagijimana, F., Mucyo, J.-P., Hirwa,
young motherless gorillas, spending growth of this population between 2000 J. P. & Stoinski, T. (2020) Violent
more time close to them and increasing and 2017. They found that behavioural encounters between social units hinder
the time spent resting and grooming factors had a considerably larger effect the growth of a high-density mountain
together. This response was common on the population growth rate than gorilla population. Science Advances
across all group leaders whether or not ecological factors. 6, eaba0724
they were the genetic fathers. Access In 2007, the group density suddenly
to the highest-ranking individual likely increased in a gorilla subpopulation in
13 Gorilla Journal 62, June 2021READING
Arcus Foundation Janvier Murairi and Chrispin Mvano Greenpeace International
State of the Apes Volume IV: Killing, Conflicts around Virunga National Destruction: Certified. Certification;
Capture, Trade and Conservation. Park: Grassroots perspectives. The not a solution to deforestation, forest
Cambridge (Cambridge University Hague (Knowledge Platform Security degradation and other ecosystem
Press) 2020. 408 pages. Hardcover & Rule of Law) 2020. 64 pages. conversion. March 2021. 121 pages.
ISBN 978-1-108-48794-8, paperback Download PDF (1.6 MB): https://www. Download PDF (5.6 MB): https://
ISBN 978-1-108-73826-2 kpsrl.org/sites/default/files/2020-12/ www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-
https://www.stateoftheapes.com/volu Virunga%20Report.pdf international-stateless/2021/03/f66b92
me-4-killing-capture-trade/ 6f-destruction_certified_09_03_21.pdf
Commission de recherche sur les
archives françaises relatives au The Economics of Biodiversity: The
Rwanda et au génocide des Tutsi Dasgupta Review. London, February
La France, le Rwanda et le génocide 2021. 606 pages. ISBN 978-1-911680-
des Tutsi (1990–1994). Rapport remis 29-1. Download PDF (26.7 MB): https://
au Président de la République. Paris, www.gov.uk/government/publications/
26 mars 2021. 992 pages. final-report-the-economics-of-biodiver
Download PDF (3.67 MB): https:// sity-the-dasgupta-review
www.vie-publique.fr/sites/default/files/
rapport/pdf/279186_0.pdf The Legacy Landscapes Fund
(LLF) is an ambitious new financing
UN Security Council instrument aimed at protecting the
Midterm report of the Group of world’s most outstanding natural
Experts on the Democratic Republic places and closing the funding gap for
of the Congo, 23 December 2020, biodiversity conservation in the Global
S/2020/1283. 201 pages. Download South. It is a joint initiative by the
PDF (13.8 MB): https://www.undocs. German Federal Ministry for Economic
org/S/2020/1283 Cooperation and Development (BMZ),
KfW Development Bank (KfW),
United Nations Organization Agence Française de Développement
Stabilization Mission in the (AFD), Campaign for Nature (CfN),
Michela Wrong Democratic Republic of the Congo Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS), the
Do Not Disturb: The Story of a Political Report of the Secretary-General, 18 International Union for Conservation
Murder and an African Regime Gone March 2021, S/2021/274. 18 pages. of Nature (IUCN), the UNESCO World
Bad. New York (Public Affairs) 2021. Download PDF (667 kB): https://www. Heritage Centre, and the World Wide
512 pages. ISBN 978-1610398428 undocs.org/en/S/2021/274 Fund for Nature (WWF).
https://legacylandscapes.org/projects/
Patrick de Saint-Exupéry Pacheco, P., Mo, K., Dudley, N., explore/
La traversée. Une odyssée au cœur Shapiro, A., Aguilar-Amuchastegui,
de l’Afrique. Paris (Les Arènes) 2021. N., Ling, P.Y., Anderson, C. and
317 pages. ISBN 979-1037502865 Marx, A.
Deforestation Fronts. Drivers and
responses in a changing worlds. Gland
New on the Internet (WWF) 2021. 125 pages. https://wwf.
panda.org/discover/our_focus/forests_
The IUCN SSC Primate Specialist practice/deforestation_fronts_/
Group, Section on Great Apes has Download PDF (42.1 MB): https://
its own website now: https://www. wwfint.awsassets.panda.org/downlo
iucngreatapes.org/ ads/deforestation_fronts___drivers_
and_responses_in_a_changing_
Judith Verweijen, Saidi Kubuya, world___full_report_1.pdf
Evariste Mahamba, Esther Marijnen,
14 Gorilla Journal 62, June 2021BERGGORILLA & REGENWALD DIREKTHILFE
Finances Gaby Bitomsky, Martin Bliefernicht, Neuhaus, Jeannine Neukamm, Ulrich
Bonhoeffer-Gemeinde, Heinz and Lie Neumeister, Christel Niemand, Ilke-
Income in 2020 sel Bremer, Matthias Brey, Andreas Susann Noelte, Norddeutsche Draht,
Subscriptions 24,885.00 euro Bruck, Karl-Heinz Buder, Sigrid Burris, Dennis Novak, Ossenberg & Grefe
Donations 155,436.94 euro Achim Christen and Rita Christen- GmbH, Pfingsten Feuerverzinkung,
Sales 35.00 euro Stuttgen, Claudia Clementi, Contravis, Anne Pfisterer, Pieternella Pols Fonds,
Penalties 19,000.00 euro Andrea Daum, Sabine Dehlwes, An Pro Bericht, Raiffeisenbank Kempten-
Refund meeting 36.00 euro gelika Dickmann, Manuel Diez, Rüdiger Oberallgäu, Miriam Raneburger, Jane
Total 199,132.94 euro Dmoch, Drahtseilwerk Hemer, Manuel Rasmussen-Dewar, Rathgeber GmbH,
Ehlert, Melanie Enders, Michael En Reinhard Rehberger, Birgit Reime,
Expenses in 2020 ders, Heinrich Engert GmbH, Robert Erwin Reisch, Hans-Joachim Reuter,
Administration 2,289.51 euro Epp, Andre Erhardt, Michael Esken, Andreas and Kerstin Richter, Carsten
Gorilla Journal 2,085.40 euro GBR Max Ewers, Barbara Faber, Eva and Britta Richter, Hans Richter, Heidi
Website 459.43 euro Fackelmann, Beatrice Faust, Kurt Peter-Rocher, Daniela Rogge, Al
Currency differences 130.00 euro Ferner, Pascal Fliegner, Ursula Fritz, fred Roszyk, Jens Rothemeyer, Jens
Postage 2,288.95 euro Katharina Fürstner, Peter Gamon, Rottacker and Sybille Eck, Erika Rü
Pay/top-ups 9,600.00 euro Daniela Geigele, Guiseppina Geisel, ge, R&R Management, Petra Sal
Sarambwe Sonja Geisendorf, Gesellschaft der ver
moser, Sigrid Schacht, Rainer
Support of trackers and kitchen Freunde und Förderer des Zoo Rostock, Schenk, Elisabeth Schiller, Holger
personnel, equipment, community H. Giese GmbH, Brigitte Gößling, Su Schmidbaur, Franziska Schmidt, Kers
projects, rice project, rehabilitation san Goetsch, Gorilla Gym Hamburg, tin Schmidt, Dieter Peter Schmitz,
of ranger post 46,906.00 euro Monika Greipl, Gerhard Griese family, Ralf Schonenberg, Dieter and Brigitte
Mt. Tshiaberimu Annett and Michael Größer, Annett Schröder, Gernot/Cornelia Schröer,
Tracker top-ups, equipment, Große, Nicolas Hagenbach, Martina Birgit Schüssler, Stephanie Schu len
water supply well, potato growing, Hager, Margit Handrich, Karin Heide, berg, Wibke Schumann, Gisela Schup
efficient stoves 30,550.00 euro Marcel Heller, Hans Michael Henkst, pen, Schwabenpark Kaisersbach, Mo
Itombwe Heinz and Magdalena Hertle, Birgit nika Schweiger, Eva Schweikart, Elke
Ranger top-ups, office rent, street Höfer, Julia Holzberg, Hornbostel Seeger, Frank Seibicke, Seilflechter
lighting, CoCoSi 36,520.00 euro GmbH, Manfred Huck GmbH, Helga Tauwerk, Andrea Sell, Meke Anja Sen
Maiko Innerhofer, Michael Jähde, Werner senbrenner, Simone Sie be
cker, Hei
Patrol rations, support park Jahn, Marko Jankov, Rebecca Johnen, ke and Hans Juergen Skaba, Ja
management, canteen for Andrea Kaesting, Stephan Kahl, na Skoda, Stephanie Skolik, Tosca
population, street lighting, Elke Kasten, Sarah Kaufmann, Götz Som mer, Herm. Sprenger Me tallwa
CoCoSi, community patrol Kauschka, Christian Kiefer, Christian renfabrik, Hartmut Stade, Pat rick
training 26,300.00 euro Kleineidam, Freeyourself, Hartmann Stahnke, Rolf Stojic, Patrick Störck,
Bwindi Knorr, Dennis König, Sandra Kolberg, Frank Stöckel, Beatrice Stock, Re
Gorilla research 9,600.00 euro Harald Kranz, Dirk Kronwald, Kreatura, gina Stoschus, Ulrike Straub, Ste
ITFC employees 10,000.00 euro Kunne-Gruppe, Tatjana Kupczyk, Eli fan Striebinger, Hans-Christian Strö
SaveBwindi 2,000.00 euro sa
beth Labes, Daniela Lachmund, bele, Andreas Strohmaier, Jolanda
Virunga Conservation Area Renee Läßig, Dorothea Langenbach, Suelberg, Suthner & Schon GmbH,
Gorilla Doctors 4,618.51 euro Randolf Ledeboer, Bettina Lenz, Tho Gabriele Tekath, The Second Chance
Protection (COVID-19) 6,215.59 euro mas Lesemann, Frank Leyser, Rein Foundation, Ernst Thomas GmbH, Filip
Total 180,363.39 euro hard Lindenhahn, Stefan Lindner, Trottenberg, Sabine Tschürtz, TSSB
Christian Lobert, Catherine Lodge, Kai architekten, Steve Tyler, Manfred Vo
Sofia Loth, Charlotte Lustig, Harald gel GmbH, Albert Vogg, Björn and
Our Donors Lydorf, Nicola Maier-Menzel, Lore Katrin Wagner, H. Waltermann GmbH
From November 2021 to April 2021 we Marholdt, Peter Martenka, Dirk-Ulrich & Co. KG, Hann-Jörg Walther, Andreas
received major donations by 3senses, Mende, Hannelore Merker, Milwaukee Warntjes, Rüdiger Weis, Dirk Wendl,
Susanne Aduba, Peter Ambrus, Ed County Zoo, Ingo Müller, Tina Ann Westdeutscher Drahtseil-Verkauf Dole,
win Artho, Fredrik Bakels, Monika and Gerd Peter Myrdal, Claudia Renate Westerdorf, Jörg-Dietrich von
Bannas, Anke Bentmann, Marc Beyer, Nemetz, Sylvia Nerlich-Griegel, Ralf Weyhe, Christof Wiedemair, Wilhelma,
15 Gorilla Journal 62, June 2021BERGGORILLA & REGENWALD DIREKTHILFE
der Zoologisch-Botanische Garten
Stuttgart, Norbert Wimmer, Willi Win
ner, Frigga Wirths, Hans Wittmann,
Benjamin Wochner, Claudia Woede,
Maximilian Wolf, Ingo Wolfeneck, Tim
Wolters, Brigitte Wullert, Heinz Zaruba,
Zimmermann-Bau, Rebecca Zindler,
Zoo Krefeld and Zoo Saarbrücken.
Many thanks ro everybody including
those whom we could not list here!
We do not only receive donations in
euros or dollars, but also mobile
phones for recycling. The number
of phones sent to us ranges from 1
to 500; some people start appeals
in their companies. The large
parcels in the photo above were
sent by Daimler TSS, for example.
Burkhard Bröcker took over the
coordination.
Photos: Burkhard Bröcker
Subscription to the Gorilla Journal
If you become a member, you will receive the journal regularly. If you want to receive the printed journal without
becoming a member, we would be grateful if you could make a donation to cover our costs. The costs to send the
journal overseas are about US$ 20 per year.
If you do not need the printed version, we can include your email address in our mailing list and you will be informed
as soon as the PDF files are available (contact: meder@berggorilla.org).
You can download this issue at:
www.berggorilla.org/fileadmin/user_upload/pdf/journal/journal-en/gorilla-journal-62-english.pdf
as well as the German issue:
www.berggorilla.org/fileadmin/user_upload/pdf/journal/gorilla-journal-62-deutsch.pdf
and the French issue:
www.berggorilla.org/fileadmin/user_upload/pdf/journal/journal-fr/gorilla-journal-62-francais.pdf
Our website www.berggorilla.org is full of interesting information. Enjoy visiting it!
16 Gorilla Journal 62, June 2021You can also read
