Eastern Lowland Gorilla
Projects
The eastern lowland gorilla is only found in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), but it is estimated that more than 50% of the population disappeared during the last war. The stronghold of the species is in Kahuzi-Biega National Park, a World Heritage Site in eastern DRC where WWF has a field project.
There, WWF works with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to:
© Sandra MBANEFO OBIAGO / WWF-Canon
- Carry out surveys: These contribute to the review and update of the park’s existing Management Plan.
- Train staff from the Congolese Institute for Nature (ICCN) to monitor gorillas and chimpanzees: Biological data, gorilla and chimpanzee locations, forest cover distribution, park boundaries as well as fragile habitat are being recorded. Socio-economic data is also being captured.
- Build the capacity of ICCN to reduce poaching: WWF supports the training of park guards in anti-poaching and effective law enforcement practices.
- Rehabilitate key infrastructures in the lowland sector of the park: Patrol posts are being rehabilitated and park boundaries clearly separated.
