Nov 29 2007
Raising Awareness in Communities about Mountain Gorillas
This is Jean Bosco. As you know I am the Community Conservation Officer for the southern sector of Virunga National Park.
After the massacre of the Rugendo family in July we carried out a project in communities to raise awareness about protecting Mountain Gorillas, through the use of films and talks. We did this in schools, churches and the military camps of the 9th brigade. In our team there was of course Director Norbert Mushenzi, my boss, and 3 guys from WWF including Grand-pere (which means Grandfather in English), Gerard and Modogo.
Director Norbert Mushenzi opened the talks. The first session took place near the military camp at Rumangabo.
I also participated in each session. This one is in a church.
People listened.
By watching the film and listening to our talks the communities were able to better understand the importance of gorillas as part of our national heritage. We talked about the way of life of gorillas, and how they behave in the family unit. Mountain Gorillas are different to other animals for us.
These are children at a school who live near the Gorilla Sector.
Grand-pere from WWF spoke. He also spoke in Lingala at this military camp because many of the military here are from the west of the country.
Here again are members of the military and their wives. They enjoyed the films and asked us to come back.
And this one is at a church in Buvunga, 2km north of Rumangabo park station.
Justin, a trainee, talks to the congregation.
The people who took part and watched the films all condemned the July killings.
Jean Bosco
Technorati : congo, drc, iccn, wildlifedirect
Daily news from the conservation frontline by Innocent and Diddy, and other Congolese rangers risking their lives to save mountain gorillas of the Virunga National Park in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Great News. Thank you for this insight, thank god you guys are there still fighting for the gorillas! Hopefully education holds the key, once people realise they are worth a lot more dead than alive, this will help with your daily battles! Good luck with spreading the word.
Definitely the locals and the people whom the gorillas belong to have to realize what they mean to the world! Even the smallest to biggest group that “gets it” means attitudes can change and the killing and bushmeat trade can be stopped or monitored better! Thank you so much and the pics are captivating.
Dear Jean,
Thank you for your incredible work there with the local communities. As you’ve said, education is key to helping save the gorillas. How much does tourist industry income contribute to the local communities welfare and do the locals understand the connection to the welfare of the gorillas? Is there funding for solutions to bushmeat and charcoal burning problems from the tourist industry? Also, who are the poachers and who are the buyers for black market gorillas? Are infant gorillas taken live to be sold live to individuals? The gorillas are one of the world’s most valued treasures but it is really in the hands of the local communities to protect them. Thank you for this. And helping me understand the issues there in your part of the world. Judy
Jean—Very impressed with what you are doing. That is where it begins. With awareness. Unfortuately, a lot of people really don’t know the seriousness of this and unless someone informs them they really don’t know. Good luck with your work and hopefully the situation calms down
over there. All stay safe. Take care.
It’s nice to see a community come together for the cause of conservation…especially the young children, they will have to grow up in a world adults leave behind. Hopefully it will be a world that includes those beautiful ‘living’ Mountain Gorillas!
Wow! Hopefully the locals will do their part in protecting these magnificent creatures! It is really nice to see all the teachings going on ….I just read an article in the paper of a lady who is in jail here in the states for illegally bringing monkey parts over…she and her husband thought nothing was wrong with it..say it is a custom to eat bush meat…I really hope people will realize especially with critically endangered animals such as gorillas and other primates that this type of thing should not be going on!! Thank you Jean!
Really impressive work, Jean. I hope you’re continuing your community outreach even though these are terrible times for people in that part of Congo.
s.
Sheryl in Washington DC… I hope you see this message. I am in Wash DC as well and was hoping to talk to you more about this cause. My name is Chris and you can see my past postings… I am the person who donated the truck to the rangers a few months ago.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7119567.stm
Have just read this story on BBC website, about 11 month child raped by a soldier who died the following day. This is just completely wrong when are our countries going to step in and do some more to help. This is not just for the Gorillas. Have had a response from the MP, but am going to be writing again, as this needs to stop! We need to more to stop this madness. All the while there are people out there capable of this then all will not be right, they need to be stopped!
Hi Chris. Contact me at nothoney@gmail.com
BTW, the Bonobos are losing at SearchKindly! C’mon people! Tell all your friends and family to vote every eight hours for the bonobos!
s.
some good news about gorillas:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7120497.stm
This was my “quote of the day”. Very appropriate and I thought I would share it:
“Every creature is better alive than dead, men and moose and pine trees, and he who understands it aright will rather preserve its life than destroy it.”
Henry David Thoreau
Louise, I read the BBC article. It just disturbs me to the bone that more is not being done to stop such horrendous acts of brutality. I pray for this poor little babies family and for all the people displaced and victimized by this insane fighting. Lisa
I am late to this blog, but I still need to type my comment :O)
Jean Bosco, I commend your efforts and everyone else who is putting forth this education program about the gorillas. This is absolutely the best thing that could happen. Ultimately, the future of the Mountain Gorillas will depend on the people living in the area. If only the program could reach all of the armies and rebel troops as well… Now, we need to have these programs in schools all around the world in an effort to save all wildlife and the planet.
~Mary