Ranger Based Monitoring in the Virunga–Bwindi Region of East-Central Africa: A Simple Data Collection Tool for Park Management

Abstract

Abstract. Effective management of protected areas is dependent on information on the illegal and legal use of the habitat by people, the ecological and behavioural needs of key species, and trends in resource availability and ecological processes. The International Gorilla Conservation Programme working with the protected area authorities in Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo has developed a ranger based monitoring system, using basic protocols for data collection that guide protected area staff in park management. This programme is a key management tool for the three park authorities responsible for the conservation of the mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) in the Virunga and Bwindi forest blocks. The programme was initiated in 1997 and has enabled the gathering of extensive information on illegal activities, key species of fauna and flora, and habituated and unhabituated groups of gorillas. Ranger based monitoring is a simple and cost effective tool that can be sustained in the parks in the Virunga-Bwindi region with limited external support. It provides park managers with information that prompts appropriate responses to threats to the ecosystem. For example information on the distribution of illegal activities determines targeted patrol coverage to address specific threats. The bottom-up approach of ranger based monitoring includes a strong capacity building component and empowers field staff in park management activities.

Birding for and with People: Integrating Local Participation in Avian Monitoring Programs within High Biodiversity Areas in Southern Mexico

“…In fact, monitors have taken the initiative to employ their new birding skills to perform other types of productive activities by becoming bird guides in archaeological sites, sponsors of bird conservation by giving conferences at local schools, and integrating themselves into ecotourism projects. In this way, training local people to perform bird monitoring activities could be implemented not only for the assessment of productive activities or for gathering scientific information, but also to aid in social cohesion and provide local communities with alternate means to generate additional economic inputs [35,47,48].…”

Understanding the co-existence of conflict and cooperation: Transboundary ecosystem management in the Virunga Massif

“…This involved improved communication and information sharing between PAA staff, including regional training programmes and the inception of regional meetings of staff from headquarters and field offices of the 3 countries, and meetings between PAAs and NGOs to initiate a process of strategic planning. Ranger-based monitoring was developed and adopted as harmonized practice which contributed to information sharing (Gray & Kalpers, 2005), as did the introduction of joint and then coordinated patrols, collaborative gorillas censuses and anti-poaching activities.…”

Long-term research and conservation of the Virunga mountain gorillas

“…Ranger-based monitoring has been developed and implemented as a data collection tool for Park managers (Gray and Kalpers, 2005). It is simple and systematic, and has been applied to all gorilla groups habituated for tourism, greatly expanding our overall knowledge of gorilla demography and habitat use throughout the Virungas.…”