Camp Bukima Challenge
Camp Bukima is unique...
 |
| As the name suggests, rangers are based in tents for some weeks at a time, taking rations and equipment with them. |
In Virunga National Park, there are several ranger stations located around the edge of the Mikeno gorilla sector, from where the rangers leave on patrol each day, but Camp Bukima is different.
The camp is set up deep in the heart of mountain gorilla territory and will enable 24hr, 365 days a year protection and monitoring of the habituated gorilla groups.
There is a camp manager and around 10 rangers based at the isolated camp. G4G has pledged to support 5 of the rangers there, each and every month, enabling their work to continue.
The Virunga team (gorilla.cd) and Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) provide the camp itself and support the other rangers.
 |
| The camp is in a stunning location and if the weather is good, you can see 5 different volcanoes: Nyamulagira, Nyiragongo, Mikeno, Karisimbi, and Visoke. |
The camp was set up in direct response to the unprecedented execution of 10 mountain gorillas during 2007 in Virunga National Park.
The decision was taken to set up camp, close to the gorilla groups.
There has not been a permanent ranger presence in the vast Virunga forest, since Dian Fossey was forced to flee to Rwanda in 1973.
 |
| The volcano, Mikeno, in the centre of the picture, from which the gorilla sector takes its name. |
 |
| The wooden structure is a 'payotte' under construction. Rangers will rest here and have their meals. |
How to help
A regular donation of £10 a month will give sustained, ongoing support to the rangers, from the UK.
£500 a month is needed to provide the salaries, small pension, medical supplies, basic equipment and daily rations for the 5 rangers.
Through becoming a 'Camp Bukima Custodian' you can provide vital assistance on the front line of mountain gorilla protection, at the sharp end.
Every penny of your £10 will be sent to support the rangers, as G4G pays the small bank transfer charge each month.
Just print off the Standing Order below, complete and take to your bank.
 |
Standing Order PDF (click here to open and then select "print" or select "Ctrl & P" to print). |
Ensure we know you are a new 'Custodian' on linda@g4g.co.uk to receive a photograph of your 5 rangers, a Camp Bukima Custodian certificate and a copy of the 'G-Bulletin' four times a year.
Your rangers
For operational reasons, the rangers are on a rota at Camp Bukima. Your photograph will be representative of the rangers based there and include Augustin, Jean-Marie, Cyril, Frederic and Gerome.
| All supplies and equipment have to be carried to the camp and villagers regularly help out. | ||
|
|
||
| As manager, Kasereka Kavusa has been in charge of setting up the camp, organising supplies and generally ensuring everything is always ready for the rangers. |
Kasereka tells us about his life as a ranger:
"I have been a Ranger since 1996 - but soon after I joined ICCN
the civil war kicked off and then spread throughout the province of
North Kivu and I was forced to flee. I was afraid that rebel forces
would make me fight with them, as happened with so many of my friends
and colleagues at that time.
But in 1997 the situation around here improved slightly and I was able to re-join the ranks of ICCN. I enrolled in several training schemes in Mutsora and Ishango to improve my patrolling and anti-poaching skills. It was a difficult time as poaching was very much on the rise due to the general increase in insecurity. As you know poaching remains one of our main challenges today.
I have worked all over Virunga National Park, including in the Nyamulagira sector in the south where we have the illegal charcoal threat.
I am very much supported by my wife and we have 5 children - 1 girl and 4 boys."
