36
to ensure protection of bonobos and their habitat are inadequate (weak capacity for PA manage-
ment and almost nonexistent management and protection of biodiversity outside PAs).
The objectives of this intervention strategy focus on significantly reducing poaching and traffick-
ing of bonobos and other protected species, better control over the illegal circulation of guns and
ammunition, and strengthening biodiversity conservation in PAs and forest concessions.
Strategy 1: Strengthening institutional capacity
Strategic objectives Priority actions
Priority level
Moderate
ê
High
êê
Very high
êêê
S1/O1
By 2022, poaching
within PAs is
significantly reduced
and bonobo densities
are stable or
increasing, compared
to baseline surveys*
Strengthening capacities of PA staff for more effective
antipoaching. This will include:
• training
• provision of equipment and infrastructure
• establishment of effective, adaptive and targeted
actions within PAs (patrols, intelligence network) and
surrounding areas (intelligence network, road and river
mobile patrols)
• provision of motivating working conditions
• auditing of implementation to ensure compliance by
antipoaching staff (LEM)
êêê
Establish system to ensure that poachers, traffickers, and
gun and ammunition suppliers (see also S1/O4 below) are
properly sanctioned by the judiciary system:
• train, equip and motivate political and administrative
authorities
• ensure coordination and synergies between relevant
authorities (administration, police, military, justice)
• ensure follow-up of cases
• ensure wide media coverage of all cases leading to
arrest and sentencing of wildlife criminals
êêê
S1/O2
By 2022, the PA
network shelters
90% of bonobos**
and the full range
of their ecological
diversity
Support completion of the administrative process for
gazetting of the proposed national park within the ‘Eastern
block’
êêê
Conduct the necessary surveys and scientific research
that underlie and guide decisions on the best placement,
size, design, habitat and ecological context of PAs so that
bonobos have long-term access to the full spectrum of
ecological needs for a self-sustaining population
êêê
Assess where new PAs would be most effective in terms
of (i) absolute size of additional bonobo population
protected (ii) connectivity to existing PAs containing
significant numbers of bonobos and (iii) probability of new
PAs being effective over a timescale of 100 years into the
future
êêê
When priority areas for bonobos have been identified,
initiate consultation and participatory processes with local
(neighbouring communities, traditional and administrative
authorities) and national stakeholders to achieve
recognition and formalization of the legal status of new PAs
êêê
S1/O3
By 2016, measures
to control and
monitor the illegal
bushmeat trade
in priority bonobo
areas*** have been
established and
are showing a
steady decline in
the occurrence of
bonobos in the trade
Support relevant local authorities (police, army, MECNT)
to a) effectively combat poaching and commerce of
protected species and illegal bushmeat; b) ensure judicial
follow-up of cases where authorities are involved in
wildlife-related crime
êêê
Support effective law enforcement activities targeting
transport networks for bushmeat, arms, munitions and
sale of illegal hunting tools
êêê
Produce reliable baseline data on bonobo occurrence in
the bushmeat trade and monitor trends over time
êêê
Table, Strategy 1, continued on next page
37
Strategic objectives Priority actions
Priority level
Moderate
ê
High
êê
Very high
êêê
S1/O4
By 2018, the illegal
circulation of guns
and ammunition in
PAs and their buffer
zones is eliminated
Support mixed operations (FARDC, ANR, PNC, ICCN) to
recover guns and ammunition held illegally and dispose
of them appropriately so that they cannot be used for
poaching; support the law enforcement efforts needed
to apprehend illegal holders and the judicial process to
secure effective prosecution of cases
êêê
Undertake sensitisation and lobbying campaigns for
effective enforcement of legislation regarding the carrying
of firearms and ammunition (see also Strategy 3),
including supporting efforts to census legal holders of
hunting weapons
êê
Organise sensitisation campaigns for voluntary
handover of illegally-held weapons and ammunition, and
compliance with regulations for shotguns
êê
S1/O5
By 2016, logging
companies in the
bonobo range
are implementing
management plans
that secure effective
protection of
bonobos and other
protected species
Identify both legal and illegal logging companies operating
in the bonobo range and assess their activity status; lobby
for immediate halt of illegal activities
êêê
Ensure that measures identified for wildlife management
and conservation of protected species in the forest
management plans of logging companies are clearly
stated in specific internal company regulations, are
applicable, implemented and effective
êêê
Support MECNT Conservation Department to implement
sustainable forest management plans (financial support
from logging companies, technical support from NGOs)
êêê
Provide technical expertise to logging companies to
ensure adequate baseline data collection and follow-up
surveys to monitor the impacts of logging operations on
bonobos within concessions
êêê
* preferably carried out between 2008 and 2015
** as identified by the modelling group and eventually found in other areas identified as having suitable condi-
tions for bonobos
*** across the four strongholds, giving priority to the trade of bushmeat originating from protected areas
4.5.2 Strategy 2 Consultation and Collaboration with Local Actors
Local actors are the people and their traditional and governmental representatives living close
to bonobos. These are key actors with whom it is essential to engage, since many of the threats
identified result from their activities (poaching, bushmeat trade, forest clearance). This strategy
should target interventions that encourage local actors to support bonobo conservation within the
framework of sustainable development initiatives. Clearly this strategy cuts across all interventions
whose success can only be achieved if they are developed in consultation and collaboration with
the local actors.
Although it is beyond the scope of this plan to resolve the socioeconomic problems of local com-
munities living in the bonobo’s range, it is nevertheless possible to design targeted interventions
in collaboration with local actors that will reconcile local issues and bonobo conservation. Land-
use and zoning plans are important first steps and will set the framework for initiatives such as
improved agricultural techniques, sustainable use of NTFPs and the development of alternative
sustainable activities to encourage bonobo protection.
Another important actor with a considerable impact on conservation is the Congolese army. It
is widely known that there is military involvement in the circulation of weapons and commercial
poaching in DRC. Consultation and collaboration with this actor (also treated under Strategy S1/
O4) is crucial to restore the enforcement of national laws. At the same time, advocacy at the highest
levels is needed so that sanctions will be imposed upon those implicated in commercial poaching.
Table, Strategy 1, continued from previous page