Tshiaberimu

Category: Communities, Gorillas, Tshiaberimu, Uncategorized, Virunga National Park | Date: Oct 29 2008 | By: tshiaberimu

Hello, this is Jean Claude. Sorry for the delay in my post, last week I was in Kampala, Uganda for the Gorilla Organization’s annual strategy meeting.

I have some sad news. On Thursday October 23 2008, Mwami Kalemire II, head of the chiefdom of Bashu, departed this world after a month in hospital.

Mwami Kalemire was a valiant fighter for ICCN, he was a man of value, peace and reconciliation. Mwami Kalemire, Grand Chief of Nande, was also the leader who controls Mount Tshiaberimu. He has championed the cause of the Virunga National Park and in particular Mont Tshiaberimu.

I attended the burial ceremony along with a huge gathering of Mwami Kalemire’s supporters including the Governor and a strong delegation from Kinshasa, Goma, Masisi, Walikale and Uganda.

Mwami Kalemire, a great supporter of gorilla conservation did not die alone. The same day the wife of late conservator Mesi’s father and Madame Scheidegger of Flora Fauna International also passed away. It was difficult for me to represent ICCN and the Gorilla Organization at all of ceremonies Thursday on Sunday 26 October, it was a very sad day. But it was important for me to say goodbye to them all and I succeeded to be everywhere. May missing souls depart in peace ….

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Category: Communities, Gorillas, Tshiaberimu, Virunga National Park | Date: Oct 02 2008 | By: tshiaberimu

Hello, this is Jean Claude. On 18 September, as we traveled from Mulango Patrol Post to Burusi Patrol Post, we received a phone call alerting us to the presence of a lion in the Nguli valley towards Vihyo village.

The local population at Nguli had heard the roar of the lion and in the morning awoke to find that 13 goats had been killed. The community called the head of the Mount Tshiaberimu patrol post and also contacted the army to register the case.

Following the call I contacted ICCN’s Director Mushenzi, to ask for advice and he agreed with our suggestion to chase the lion away by firing shots in to the air.

We had to inform the whole population before we took action to ensure that they were not alarmed by the gunshots and to avoid panic.

Unfortunately this operation did not work as the lion resisted.

The next day one man Mr Kamuda was injured as the lion bit him in the leg. He was treated at the local health centre. In addition four of Mr Dokoro’s goats were found dead and three belonging to Mr Shiriki were also killed - totaling 20 all together.

The following day we again tried to drive out the animal with the help of the army. On the fourth gunshot the lion jumped on a soldier, but as the solider fell to the ground he retaliated and shot the lion. The lion became enraged but eventually, after the seventh shot, the lion succumbed and was carried away by the local people.

We did our best to move the lion safely without killing it, and it is sad that the animal lost its life. We are working hard with the communities in this area to improve their livelihoods and reduce encroachment on the forest so that they are able to protect the forest and the animals living there.

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Category: Communities, Tshiaberimu, Uncategorized, Virunga National Park | Date: Jul 30 2008 | By: tshiaberimu

Hello this is Jean Claude. Working with the local communities living around Mount Tshiaberimu is an extremely important part of our work to protect the gorillas and the forest. We help to build the capacity of the local people so that they can live in harmony with the forest and protect the habitat for the gorillas.

I frequently visit local villages to keep them informed of our conservation work and raise awareness for the protection of the forest. Last week I visited the village of Kasundi not far from the ranger patrol post at Burusi and on this occasion I was able to deliver 30 iron roofing sheets to help the village construct a health clinic.

The population of Kasundi is very much involved with the protection of the forest and appreciative of the conservation work that we are doing. When we arrived last week with the new roofing sheets the population welcomed us with dances to thank us for our work.

I will write again soon with an update on the health of the gorillas.

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