About The Advance Force
Training the ‘Advance Force’
Robert Muir of Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS), with support from the London Zoological Society, the European Union, the US Fish and Wildlife Service and UNESCO, has coordinated a ranger training programme which will strengthen the ability of the ICCN (Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature). A ranger training school has been built on the banks of the Semliki River at Ishango and has been home to hundreds of park guards who have been put through basic ranger training and selection.
All hands to the deck - the tents arrive to be assembled and
the ‘classroom’ and overnight accommodation take shape…
Over two months, a total of 479 rangers passed through Ishango, allowing the ICCN and international instructors to assess their mental and physical acuity through a series of standardised assessments.
The basic training comprised theory and practical lessons including fire drill and security, sentry duties, drill, security of weapons, weapons cleaning, preparing weapons for firing, weapon firing, patrolling, defensive manoeuvres, running, PT, upper body circuits, knowledge of Virunga wildlife, wildlife law and basic law enforcement.
In addition to drill and this demanding physical regime, the training included specific modules in anti-poaching, conservation, staff discipline and conduct, first aid and hygiene, firearm safety and competency, the art of shooting, communications and map reading, conflict resolution, judicial procedures, human rights, international wildlife law, criminal evidence gathering, intelligence and information
management.
Other less objective assessments were also made based on the individual’s character and the instructors were looking for individuals who demonstrated self discipline, tenacity, motivation and those that had teamwork and leadership qualities.
Individual profiles helped the ICCN and team of instructors make the difficult decision as to who should attend the three months advanced training. Those selected received new uniforms and their salaries doubled over night. Most importantly of all though for these rangers was the pride they felt for being chosen to attend the advanced course with a shot at being a member of the first ever elite, rapid reaction anti-poaching unit.
Two pick up trucks and a motorbike were provided. Also, two Pirogues with 15cc outboard engines (motorised canoes) were taken to Ishango. These would facilitate both land and river patrols as well as providing vital logistical support to the programme.
The ‘Advance Force’ training camp at Ishango on the banks of the Semliki river
Following the basic training, 14 ICCN trainers from DRC’s five World Heritage Sites travelled to Ishango to undergo training specifically designed to enhance their capacity as instructors. These men also received uniforms and a salary and benefited from some of the best training available from our team of ex-British military instructors, all of whom spoke either French or Swahili.
On completion of the course, the ICCN trainers would be retained by the programme to work alongside the British Instructors and deliver an advanced training package to the park’s top fifty rangers who would go on to form a rapid reaction anti-poaching unit.
Frankfurt Zoological Society has recently acquired air support for the Virunga National Park and it is hoped that monitoring and surveillance carried out from the Cessna 206 (Robert calls it their ‘flying zebra’) will provide critical information to patrols on the ground.
Through combined air and ground operations, the ICCN might once again be able to regain control of the park and ensure the long-term protection of its endangered wildlife populations, while at the same time ensuring better protection for themselves and their families who inhabit one of the world’s most dangerous parks.
