RDCongo +243 973 998 396
Rwanda +250 788 640 986
info@gorillahealth.org
Donate

Improving the effectiveness of protected areas

Protected areas with targeted wildlife conservation efforts.

The Virunga massif is divided in the Virunga National Park in DRC, the Volcanoes National park in Rwanda and the Mgahinga Gorilla National park in Uganda, rich in different animals and plants species including the famous mountain gorilla. For its protection, we reinforce the knowledge and receive the great support of park rangers. They are on the front line in the fight to protect wildlife. In their honor, on each 31st July, the OHAC/ Gorilla Health with the word celebrate the World Ranger Day. Opportunity to offer a chance in supporting their vital work, which ranges from environmental campaigning, species assessment to education. The day is also an opportunity to pay tribute to rangers who have lost their lives in the line of duty especially in DRC where more than 150 park ranger lost their life protecting wildlife animals

We train for years, rangers and future conservationists in the Volcanoes and the Nyungwe Nationals parks on wildlife disease surveillance, reporting and communication with veterinarians. Knowledge adds to their skills, preparing each of them for protecting all living species in their natural environment. With colleagues, we took care of great apes orphans before sending them to DRCongo sanctuaries. And the facilitation of his working on wildlife animals with the great support of experimented caregivers from the regions.

Unfortunately, DRC’ Virunga ranger faces different from unidentified and innumerable rebel groups including the famous Rwanda FDRL and local Mai Mai who change name and reason of creating insecurity and illegal activities reducing the government effort in the conservation. Those different armed groups in the center of Virunga have dramatically stepped up efforts to poach for ivory, and bushmeat, looting the local population and producing charcoal in the middle of this DRC world heritage site, cutting trees and invading wild animal’s territories.

We recently supported the FAO One Health training for East African Expert through the Virtual Learning Center (VCL). The training delivery approach will aim to break professional silos, providing interaction and collaboration opportunities between trainees from different regions and backgrounds (Human, Animal and Environment sectors).

Identified national parks and reserves earmarked for urgent assistance

Virunga Massif (Mountain gorilla)

Virunga Massif (Mountain gorilla)

The Virunga massif s divided among three countries: the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The Volcanoes National Park covers a 160 sqkm area in the northern part of Rwanda. The OHAC - Gorilla Health has been deeply involved in training veterinarians, trackers, and conservationists within the park, focusing on wildlife disease surveillance, reporting, and communication with veterinarians. The park is home to buffaloes, elephants, black-fronted duikers and bushbucks.
Bwindi Forest (Mountain gorilla)

Bwindi Forest (Mountain gorilla)

The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda along the border with the DRC, is renowned for its mountain gorilla population. Covering 321 sq km of montane and lowland forest, the park is also home to colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, and a diverse array of bird species. While our OHAC - Gorilla Health 's research primarily focuses on the gorilla population in Virunga National Park, we collaborate with partners to conduct community engagement, conservation training, and research activities in Bwindi and beyond.
Kahuzi Biega (Lowland gorilla)

Kahuzi Biega (Lowland gorilla)

The Kahuzi-Biega National Park is a vital habitat for eastern lowland gorillas (Gorilla berengei graueri), covers over 600,000 hectares, encompassing dense lowland rainforests, Afro-montane forests, bamboo forests, and sub-alpine prairies. The park protects 136 mammal species, including the eastern lowland gorilla and 13 other primates. The OHAC - Gorilla Healht provides support for tracker and field staff training as part of our capacity-building program. This is very crucial as the park are not receiving enough attention like support receive for the famous mountain gorilla
Nyungwe National Park

Nyungwe National Park

The Nyungwe National Park is one of Africa's oldest rainforests, sprawls across 1,019 sq km of dense Afromontane forests, bamboo-covered slopes, grasslands, and wetlands. Home to a wealth of biodiversity, Nyungwe harbors a small population of chimpanzees and 12 other primate species, including the L’Hoest’s monkey endemic to the Albertine Rift. The OHAC - Gorilla Health contributes to education and training initiatives on Natural Resources, Ecotourism, Epidemiology, and the One Health concept at universities in Rwanda and Senegal, including the Nyungwe KCCEM conservation Center.
Gishwati Mukura National Park

Gishwati Mukura National Park

Gishwati Mukura National Park, Rwanda’s fourth national park, comprises the Gishwati and Mukura forests, totaling 34 sq km along with a buffer zone. Situated on the ridge dividing the Congo and Nile water catchment areas, these forests are part of the biodiverse Albertine Rift. Gishwati is inhabited by a group of 20 chimpanzees, along with golden monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and Blue Monkeys. The park is also a haven for birdlife, with 232 species observed in Gishwati and 163 in Mukura.While the chimpanzees of Gishwati forests undoubtedly attract visitors to the national park, there are numerous other captivating activities to explore within its boundaries.
Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park

The Akagera National Park is located in eastern Rwanda, spans 1,122 sq km along the international border with Tanzania. Established in 1934, it encompasses savannah, montane, and swamp habitats. Through a partnership between the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and the African Parks Network, Akagera is jointly managed under a renewable 20-year agreement. A major draw of Akagera National Park is its Big 5, which includes lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos. The park's landscape features vast plains dominated by grass and various woodlands, maintaining Rwanda’s characteristic terrain.
Salonga National Park

Salonga National Park

Salonga National Park is at the heart of the central basin of the River Congo, Salonga National Park is the largest protected area of dense rainforest on the African continent (when considering the two disjointed sectors of the Park). Very isolated and only accessible by water transport, this vast Park (3,600,000 ha) contains the important evolution of both species and communities in a forest area still relatively intact. Playing also the fundamental role for the climate regulation and the sequestration of carbon, it constitutes the habitat of numerous threatened species such as the pygmy chimpanzee (or bonobo), the bush elephant and the Congo peacock. relating to nature conservation. It has six administrative sectors: Monkoto, Mondjoku, Washikengo, Yoketelu, Anga and Mundja. OHAC - Gorilla Health train parks staffs and intend to conduct different study in collaboration with the Institut pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN). Thanks to its rich biodiversity and pristine forests, the park's ecosystems and water systems remain unaltered and fully functional.
Maiko National Park

Maiko National Park

Maiko National Park, situated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is a vast expanse of wilderness spanning 10,885 km2 (4,203 sq mi). Nestled within one of the most remote forest regions of the country, the park is divided into three sectors, crossing the territories of Nord Kivu, Province Orientale, and Maniema. Renowned for its remarkable biodiversity, Maiko is home to three of the Congo's awe-inspiring endemic species: the Grauer's gorilla, the elusive okapi, and the vibrant Congo peafowl. Furthermore, the park serves as a crucial sanctuary for the conservation of the African forest elephant, eastern chimpanzee, and the endemic aquatic genet."Maiko National Park boasts a rich array of endemic wildlife, including the majestic Grauer's gorilla, the elusive okapi, and the vibrant Congo peafowl, making it a sanctuary for these unique species within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. OHAC - Gorilla Health intend to train park staff and to conduct different study in collaboration with the Institut pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN).
Lomami National Park

Lomami National Park

Lomami National Park, nestled within the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa, is a testament to the country's commitment to conservation. Situated along the middle basin of the Lomami River, it straddles the provinces of Tshopo and Maniema, extending into the forests of the Tshuapa and Lualaba river basins. Officially established on 7 July 2016, it stands as the 9th national park in the nation and the first to be designated since 1992.Encompassing a sprawling expanse of 8,879 km2 (887,900 hectares), Lomami National Park is a haven of biodiversity, featuring tropical lowland rainforests adorned with savanna islands in the south and rolling hills in the west. Its pristine habitat shelters a plethora of nationally endemic species, including the iconic Bonobo, the elusive Okapi, the resplendent Congo peafowl, and the recently discovered primate species known as Lesula. OHAC - Gorilla Health intend to train park staff and to conduct different study in collaboration with the Institut pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN).