Wild places | WCS Congo Blog

Re-enforcing Ndoki’s Rangers

Posted on April 19, 2018

Twenty-two Congolese men and women stand lined-up in a clearing surrounded by dense rainforest. To their left, Unit Leader Frank Moutengue, marches forward and raises the Congolese flag beneath the blazing sun. The national anthem echoes through the trees that encircle the training facility. These brave individuals are the Nouabale-Ndoki National Park’s on-the-ground defence against a wave of poaching that threatens northern Congo’s wildlife. ...

Introducing Tembo

Posted on April 16, 2018

by Zanne Labuschagne

Last month we shared with you amazing footage captured by the Mondika Gorilla Project team of a day-old baby western lowland gorilla. We are very excited to share this video update on the little fellow, who has now been named Tembo. He is strong and healthy and growing up fast!...

Meet Christelle Nguizi, a ranger on a mission to protect Congo’s wildlife

Posted on March 8, 2018

by Ben Evans

Soaked to the shoulders, Christelle Nguizi, ranger, pulls herself through another reed-filled marsh. Ten days into a patrol in the south of Lac Tele Community Reserve, she’s lead a team of five men through flooded forest and across vast wetlands by boat, canoe and, when these can’t pass through, by foot. Their mission is to survey key elephant poaching hotspots in the south of the...

New baby gorilla born in Kingo’s group

Posted on March 1, 2018

by Ivonne Kienast

Last week Saturday when the Mondika Gorilla Project team headed out to Kingo’s group through the misty, morning forest they were met with an exciting surprise. Mekome, one of the females in the group, came climbing down some lianas from the tree canopy. Her five-year-old infant was waiting for her on the ground, and when she reached him the team heard a soft whining noise...

Anti-poaching operation leads to five-year conviction for three poachers

Posted on February 23, 2018

by Zanne Labuschagne

OUESSO, Republic of Congo (February 23, 2018) – Three poachers responsible for slaughtering eleven elephants in and around Nouabale-Ndoki National Park in January were convicted to five years’ imprisonment by the local district court last week, according to WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society). The poachers, who had ventured deep into the remote Ndoki forest and spent three weeks killing elephants for their ivory, walked into an...

Kingo turns 40

Posted on January 6, 2018

by Ivonne Kienast

Out of the thick forest, a loud grunt signals the presence Kingo, a 200 kg silverback gorilla, sitting on the forest floor calling to his group. Kingo Ya Bole, which means “The Loud Voice”, calls constantly to his group, but when agitated he inflates his chest and builds up a hooting crescendo delivered with a chest beat which can travel for hundreds of meters. ...

Sustainable fisheries moving forward in Lac Tele

Posted on December 28, 2017

by Ben Evans

Roger Mombongo is wet again. Returning from a month on a boat, ranging up and down winding rivers which slide in and out of thick rainforest, he’s used to it now - but he’s still looking forward to a night at home. During this trip, he visited thirteen villages in the south of Lac Tele Community Reserve, to work with families who rely on fish...

Second chance for young Fishing Owl

Posted on December 23, 2017

by Zanne Labuschagne

This young Pel’s fishing owl (Scotopelia peli) has had a rough couple of weeks. The chick, estimated to be about three to four weeks old, was seized at a road block on the periphery of the Nouabale-Ndoki National Park. Defined as integrally protected in the Republic of Congo, the country’s wildlife laws place this species in the same category of protection status as elephants, chimpanzees...

A passion for wildlife

Posted on December 20, 2017

by Zanne Labuschagne

Talk to Gaston Abea about wildlife and you will see his face light up. He exudes enthusiasm in every task he tackles and it is quickly clear that he is extremely passionate about his conservation work in the Nouabale-Ndoki National Park. Abea has been part of several projects working to protect northern Congo’s wildlife over the past 17 years. Born in the village of Bomassa,...

Elusive Congolese Poacher Sentenced to Five Years in Jail

Posted on December 18, 2017

by Zanne Labuschagne

OUESSO, Republic of Congo (December 15, 2017) – A local court sentenced a notorious elephant poacher and ivory trafficker to five years in prison and a fine of 1,200,000 XAF (~2100 US$). The sentencing, which took place yesterday, is an indication that Congolese government is becoming increasingly serious about dealing with criminals that threaten the country’s natural heritage. Over the last 12 years, Benjamin Mbondo,...