Gorilla Tourism in Dzanga Sangha:

Transcription

1 Gorilla Tourism in Dzanga Sangha: A 17-year story that continues Terence Fuh Technical Officer/WWF Primate Habituation Programme Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas Presentation to WWF US 9-Nov-15 / 1

2 Presentation outline Introduction of Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas (DSPA) Biodiversity of the DSPA DSPA administration/activities Primate Habituation Programme (PHP) Habituation process Achievements Major challenges Perspectives Presentation to WWF US 9-Nov-15 / 2

3 Location of DSPA in CAR Presentation to WWF US 9-Nov-15 / 3

4 Reserve km 2 Pre park Community hunting zone National Park km 2 Presentation to WWF US 9-Nov-15 / 4

5 Rich biodiversity of DSPA Presentation to Company name 9-Nov-15 / 5

6 The indigenous people of DSPA Presentation to WWF US 6

7 Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas administration Biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of natural resources MEFCP MDTA 9-Nov-15 / 7

8 Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas administration Conservation Tourism Integral protection of NP Assure sustainable use of resources in reserve Valorization of natural and cultural resources Generate revenue Create employment Sustainable development Develop strategies/ Integrated development measures for conservation of biodiversity and management of natural resources Forest and data Follow up forest concessions Assure concessions respect conventions and laws Presentation to WWF US 9-Nov-15 / 8

9 Anti-poaching Daily patrols by anti-poaching units Jan-Jun man/day First quarter 2015 seizures: Presentation to WWF US 9-Nov-15 / 9

10 Tourism in Dzanga-Sangha Presentation to WWF US 9-Nov-15 / 10

11 Distribution of gorillas in Africa Western Lowland Gorillas Critically endangered in DSPA Principal Threats: Poaching Loss of habitat Disease Presentation to WWF US 9-Nov-15 / 11

12 The Primate Habituation Programme (PHP) Objectives: TOURISM RESEARCH CONSERVATION Presentation to WWF US 9-Nov-15 / 12

13 The Primate Habituation Programme (PHP) What is habituation: Presentation to WWF US 9-Nov-15 / 13

14 The Primate Habituation Programme (PHP) Gorilla habituation: what it takes 4 7 years required Difficult trail Skilled trackers Good trail system Daily follows of groups Repeated contacts Gradual change in reactions Dense forest Fear Aggression Curiosity Ignore Presentation to WWF US 9-Nov-15 / 14

15 Aggression 15

16 Curiosity 16

17 Close approaches 17

18 Ignore 18

19 The Primate Habituation Programme (PHP) Identification of individuals Presentation to WWF US 9-Nov-15 / 19

20 The Primate Habituation Programme (PHP) The road so far: 2 camps (Bai Hokou and Mongambe) Solar panel energy system Over 60 employees 2 habituated gorilla groups open to tourism (Makumba and Mayele) 2 groups under habituation (Mata and Wonga) Presentation to WWF US 9-Nov-15 / 20

21 The Primate Habituation Programme (PHP) MAKUMBA group: today N = 4 9-Nov-15 / 21

22 The Primate Habituation Programme (PHP) MAYELE group: today N = 10 9-Nov-15 / 22

23 The Primate Habituation Programme (PHP) The road so far: Over 3000 tourists/media Sensitization through the media Increase information through research Over 45 published articles PhD and Master theses Almost attained self-sustainability Presentation to WWF US 9-Nov-15 / 23

24 The Primate Habituation Programme (PHP) Preventing disease transmission: Great ape and human health monitoring Improved Hygiene Rules & Measures Routine Health Monitoring Regular collection & preservation of biological samples Regular observations & recording of observational health data Standard Employee Health Programme (EHP) Presentation to WWF US 9-Nov-15 / 24

25 Importance of gorilla tourism to DSPA 2010 DSPA tourism revenue: Presentation to WWF US 9-Nov-15 / 25

26 Importance of gorilla tourism to DSPA 2011 DSPA tourism revenue: Presentation to WWF US 9-Nov-15 / 26

27 The Primate Habituation Programme (PHP) Major challenges: Political instability Global financial crisis Coup d état Election Coup d état Presentation to WWF US 9-Nov-15 / 27

28 The Primate Habituation Programme (PHP) Major challenges: The March 2013 coup d'état 9-Nov-15 / 28

29 The Primate Habituation Programme (PHP) Major challenges: Effects of the March 2013 coup d'état Looting of project headquarter Suspension of tourism Insecurity in the region Zero tourism revenue Evacuation of expat staff Need for emergency funding Influx of villagers into NP Self-sustainability delayed Presentation to WWF US 9-Nov-15 / 29

30 The Primate Habituation Programme (PHP) Perspectives Continue to habituate gorillas with minimum impact Continue ecological and behavioral research Implementation of Health Monitoring Program Capacity building of local guides, guards, tour operators Develop landscape-level gorilla-tourism Presentation to WWF US 9-Nov-15 / 30

31 Acknowledgment Great commitment of WWF US to DSPA Grants: ex. USFWS and Sacharuna Active leadership of ex-apds staff: Allard Blom, Lisa Steel, Richard Carroll Support to AfGAP by WWF US species team Presentation to WWF US 31

32 Thank you!! Tel: (+236) Facebook page: Bai Hokou For more info: Presentation to WWF US 9-Nov-15 / 32