About what they need
“I write this appeal two days after an attack on Lulimbi, a park station in the Eastern sector of Virunga National Park.
Their communication system is down and we have learnt that the area is still heavily surrounded by militia. My sincere hope is that most of the 94 rangers and their families have successfully crossed the river and taken refuge in
Uganda, but they are likely to have lost all their clothes, food and equipment. The park rangers desperately need your help and Gearing up for Gorillas is working actively with the Frankfurt Zoological Society to provide real practical support where it matters most – directly to the rangers.”
Robert Muir - Frankfurt
Zoological Society
About what they need
Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) has a base in Goma, eastern DRC
and Robert Muir works with the Congolese rangers, assisting them in a practical way with training and equipment – but there are severe shortages.
G4G now works closely with Robert and the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) to prioritise their needs:
Toyota Hilux pick up trucks
Far and away the most common ‘workhorse’ in Africa, the Hilux is renowned for keeping going in the toughest of terrain and conditions. It is important that ranger’s vehicles are all the same, to help with the practicalities of spares and ongoing maintenance.
Toyota Hilux spares, fuel and maintenance training
There’s no chance of nipping to the nearest supplier for a new tyre, air filter or batteries. If a vehicle breaks down, it’s likely to be left on the
side of the road. Hilux maintenance training is crucial and the rangers are eager to learn. Fuel is readily available and cheap – but funds are in short supply.
Motorola GP 340 hand held radio system (or something compatible), batteries and solar panels for charging Communication is the key – ranger patrols need to track and report animal movements, warn each other of militia activity or call for help. FZS has recently installed a mast in Uganda allowing these radios to work throughout eastern DRC. Now all they need are the radios themselves, together with spare batteries. Charging takes place via solar panels very efficiently and quickly – these would be much cheaper to buy through Robert, from South Africa
Mountain bikes and spares
Again, it’s a matter of transport and safety. Although Hilux pick-ups are truly vital, there are times when individual rangers need to get to a village for supplies, help or reach a patrol group in the bush. Rangers on foot are so very vulnerable.
Ranger uniforms
They are simply not recognised as National Park rangers. A uniform is extremely important to bind men together as a unified force. Currently, rangers use their own clothes or use military style clothing readily available. They can, fatally, be mistaken for rebels. Flak jackets would also be ideal.
Binoculars
Observing gorilla groups and behaviour is crucially important - monitoring from a distance. Binoculars are also simple yet potentially life-saving items of equipment. Scanning ahead whilst on patrol, would mean rangers can spot trouble before walking into it. A few lightweight telescopes would help too, particularly at the ranger stations.
Night vision
Recent troubles in eastern DRC have proven that the use of night vision, infrared monocles (or goggles) are of enormous advantage to the Advance Force rangers, in particular. They have been able to see much more than their opponent militia groups during the hours of darkness and take the initiative. These would need to be purchased and they are not cheap.
2/3 man light weight tents, sleeping bags & general camping equipment
Rangers are on patrol for several days or weeks at a time. Although
a hot country, DRC has two wet seasons a year and it can be very
cold at night, at any time. Presently, rangers take shelter at night in
undergrowth. Lightweight tents, sleeping bags and basic cooking
utensils would help keep them warm and dry.
Laptop computers
Again, mobile communications are absolutely vital in DRC. Rangers may even gain the upper hand and be able to thwart attacks on both wildlife and themselves. Laptops can operate in the bush and at remote ranger stations. Solar charged batteries provide the power. Laptops would negate the current need for dangerous travel to and from HQ, with hand written reports. Email would communicate messages and reports at the push of a button, allowing so much more time for other duties.
Digital cameras
Recording gorilla behaviour is an essential part of the rangers work. They can take photographs on patrol and send them via email when they return to a suitable location.
Desktop computers / printers / scanners / consumables (G4G currently has sufficient working desktops, printers etc until Robert of FZS requests more – although consumables are always useful eg. print cartridges, paper, CDs etc)
Ranger stations are not secure enough for desktop computers to be
installed at the present time. The headquarters of the Congolese
Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) in Goma, could make very
good use of desktop computers. Office based staff are as short
of equipment as the rangers. A modem for email is essential. The long years of war have left the rangers with little by means of structured training programmes. Training will be reintroduced at a centre perhaps at Lulimbi or Goma and the desktops will be vital tools.
Training
The long years of war have left the rangers with little by means of structured training programmes. Different types of training are needed as many rangers have joined the service with little or no background knowledge. They need classroom based instruction and practical, security, anti-poacher training
- Classroom based training in topics such as wildlife identification and site management planning, will be reintroduced at a centre perhaps at Lulimbi or Goma. These are the items most needed:
- desktop computers + consumables (sufficient desktops held at present)
- 2 x powerpoint projectors + spare bulbs/leads
- 2 x lightweight, portable screens
- flip charts + pads + markers
- overhead projector + transparencies + spare bulbs
- reams of A4 paper for printers
- wildlife identification books for East Africa, in French
- Practical, security, anti-poacher training. This training takes place (see Advance Force) at Ishango Training Centre. They will need similar equipment to that listed above but also additional assistance:
- Funds to buy basic tools – machetes etc
- Funds to buy vehicle maintenance tools/equipment – spanners, socket sets, wheel braces, air pump etc
- Funds to provide rations – Ishango is isolated and the rangers are there for months at a time. Daily food rations need to be provided.
Fund raising
Although much of this equipment could be donated, some may need to be bought. Some items such as radios, uniform and tools can be more easily purchased, for example, in South Africa much cheaper than here, through Robert in DRC. G4G has a charity account here in England.
Find out more in ‘About how you can help’.
Getting it there
Normal modes of transport are prohibitively costly. In an area such as eastern DRC, they would also be, at best, difficult to undertake or track without extensive experience and knowledge.
FZS, already based in Goma, works routinely with the United Nation forces on duty there and other charities. They are very experienced and have secure financial arrangements in place. G4G can organise the transfer of funds to enable Robert to purchase items on our behalf.
Currently, the transportation of equipment to DRC is being priced via shipment and overland transport by lorry.
