40
Strategic objectives Priority actions
Priority level
Moderate
ê
High
êê
Very high
êêê
S3/O5
By 2016,
implementation
of the strategy
targeting private
investors operating
in the bonobo
range† results in
implementation of
wildlife regulations,
leading to effective
bonobo protection‡
• Establish partnerships for implementation of activities in
accordance with S3/O1
• Support implementation of activities including
development of appropriate materials for target
audience (copies of relevant legal texts, workshops on
best practice, media campaigns against companies
operating illegally, etc.)
• Monitor results: trends in companies having adequate
management plans concerning wildlife regulations,
implementation rates, impact on bonobos within
concessions, and so on
êêê
* Demonstrated by a decrease in bonobos on bushmeat markets and other indicators defined in the strategy
** Demonstrated by decreases in demand for bonobo meat, presence in urban markets, and other indicators
defined in the strategy
*** Demonstrated by decrease in involvement of public officials in illegal trafficking of bonobos and other
protected species, increase in convictions of public officials involved with wildlife crime, an increase in efforts
to curb illegal trafficking of bonobos and other protected species, and other indicators defined in the strategy
† Number of operators, location of their activities and size of the area under their management to be defined
in the strategy
‡ Demonstrated by stable bonobo populations within private concessions of complying operators
4.5.4 Strategy 4 Research and Monitoring Activities
Research and monitoring are integral to most activities defined in this plan and, therefore, the
strategies detailed above. The three key components of conservation monitoring are (i) monitoring
the conservation target (in this case, bonobo populations and distribution), (ii) monitoring threats
(especially hunting, habitat loss and infectious disease) and (iii) monitoring interventions (such as
law enforcement). Analysis of the relationships between these components (such as the effort and
spatial distribution of antipoaching) should indicate whether specific management strategies are
working or not, and which ones are more effective. In addition, decisions on the best location, size,
design, habitat type and ecological context of PAs should be informed by scientifically-validated
information on bonobo ecology and their response to human impacts. Additionally, awareness and
lobbying programmes must include monitoring of their effectiveness, both in terms of measurable
Training park guards to moni-
tor bonobo populations in SNP;
Etate Patrol Post and Research
Station. © Gay Reinartz/ZSM
Table, Strategy 3, continued from previous page
41
increases in awareness/change of attitudes and, if possible, on how those changes impact bono-
bos. Finally, research and monitoring needs to include ways of prevention, early detection and
containment of infectious diseases, identified as a potentially serious threat to bonobos.
Strategy 4: Research and Monitoring Activities
A detailed monitoring plan will need to be drawn up with measurable targets (quantity/extent/time) for each
of the activities.
Strategic objectives
Priority actions
Priority level
Moderate
ê
High
êê
Very high
êêê
S4/O1
By 2015, analyses of
trends in bonobo pop-
ulations are produced
every 4–5 years and
analyses of distribu-
tion every 2 years
• Monitor bonobo population density and distribution
in PAs, buffer zones and logging concessions in the
bonobo range (c.f. Kühl et al. 2008)
• Produce regular reports with maps showing trends in
the above, both at site level and for the whole range
êêê
S4/O2
By 2013, analyses of
trends in threats to
bonobos are carried
out annually
• Monitor no. of bonobos killed or captured
• Monitor habitat loss (village-level agriculture, other
activities causing habitat destruction)
• Monitor potential habitat loss (planned industrial oil
palm, rubber, other crop plantation plans, and mining
plans) and establish rapid response to mitigate their
impacts on bonobos
êêê
S4/O3
By 2013,
effectiveness of
law enforcement is
tracked across entire
bonobo range
• Monitor law enforcement activities (patrol number,
composition, time spent, etc.)
• Monitor judiciary follow through
• Assess effectiveness by comparing effort of law
enforcement and judiciary follow through with seizure,
arrest and prosecution rates
êêê
S4/O4
By 2014, logging
concessions are
monitored for
compliance with
wildlife law
• Regular checks on whether companies have
management plans that include appropriate internal
regulations for fauna protection
• Reporting on the proportion of companies that have
these regulations
• Name and shame those that do not
êêê
S4/O5
By 2016, a sound
health monitoring and
disease prevention
plan is developed
and implemented,
focusing on the
prevention of human-
bonobo disease
spread, having the
potential to address
eventual disease
outbreaks among
bonobos and
contributing to the
well-being of local
communities living
around PAs
In consultation with all relevant actors (Ministry of Health,
other health agencies, local and regional health workers,
research institutions and conservation NGOs), elaborate
a bonobo health monitoring and disease prevention plan.
The plan should identify:
• targets
• objectives for each target
• intervention methods for each target
• implementing partners
• a budget
• a monitoring plan to measure impacts of the interventions
êê
Establish partnerships for the implementation of activities,
including:
• training field teams on early detection, prevention, first
aid, sample storage, health education (as defined in the
plan)
• where needed (as defined in the plan) support local
health programmes focusing on prevention of human-
bonobo disease transmission
• regular screening and sample analysis (to assess
current health status and enable early detection of
anomalies) and interpretation of results
• support the establishment of an ‘emergency
intervention plan’ (with funds restricted to emergency
use only) to define a clear chain of actions to be
followed during eventual outbreaks
êê
A strict disease prevention and monitoring plan must be
developed for former-captive bonobos being released into
natural habitats. Release programmes must follow IUCN
guidelines for re-introduction
êê