The following, in Jean Pierre’s own words, is a description of how he began his career, the effect of the volcanic eruption in 2002 and a short note about gorillas.

THE FUTURE OF OUR RESERVES IS IN DANGER

My name is Jean Pierre Mirindi Jobogo; I am 39 old, father of 3 children (Patrick 10, Nicholas 8 and Benite 3). I was born in Katana near the Lake Kivu in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. I started my primary school in a catholic missionary school and the secondary, at an official school before I join the science studies in Goma. After one year at the University, I could not carry on, as my father passed away and school fees were a problem.

How did I develop my career?

During my childhood, I used to admire flowers and butterflies. At home, the cat and our dog Boby were my best friends. However, I used to crush insects and millipedes and I detest snakes. It is only in the future that I will realise their importance and the role they are playing in the ecosystem.

At primary school a white father, Roger De Vloo,, recruits me to join the scout movement; there I learned a lot and during the camping in the bush we were taught to love plants and animals, as the founder Lord Baden Powell did. After leaving the university my cousin invited me for holidays in the park, he was a cooker at the park lodge. I took time to visit colourful birds and monkeys jumping on the trees. At the same period the park was recruiting rangers to for paramilitary training; no time to lose, I went as a volunteer and lucky enough I passed the exam, the park warden to appoint me as an interpreter to tourists, as I could speak both English and French. I was always smart with my uniform and my Green Beret.

Sitting in the office was not a pleasure for me, as I loved to be in the field. Six month later, I signed my contract and I was confirmed as a Senior Ranger Officer in charge of anti-poaching operation, but some time to give a hand to escort teams of tourists watching birds. I took that opportunity to learn also with some German teams and sometime assist to the scenario of the lion hunting.

In 1993 I was elevated at a rank of full ranger officer but since I was again in the office as a Tourism Information Officer and some time in the field. Later in 1995 I was commanding a patrol and we came across a serious ambush where I received a shot in the foot during fire exchange with poachers. I was taken to the hospital for two weeks and after one year was the beginning of troubles in the Great Lakes region in Rwanda 1994 and in DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) 1996, the fall of Mobutu.

In 1994, the Rwandese refugees came in our country and weapon holding was uncontrolled in the neighbouring villages. Poaching was intensive and during the same period six Italians tourists were killed in the park.

Another team of park rangers to fall in an ambush of armed poachers who kidnapped the ranger Gerard Kipasula and injure him seriously. Rebels were everywhere in the park and the park HQ was looted.

22 rangers to be shot as they were stopping rebels from shooting on game. Many gorillas to be killed while capturing youngs for export. A minimum activity was encouraged by the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP). In 1998 I went to Tanzania for training in a wildlife school near to the Kilimanjaro mountain. After my certificate course, I went to South Africa to complete in 2000 my two years diploma. Coming back in the field, I was promoted as a Senior Warden in charge of anti-poaching and monitoring. It was a pleasure to meet my fellow rangers and young gorillas that had survived.

More than 80 widows are still waiting in the camp at the HQ for the government compensation as their partners who were killed during exercise. Are they going to succeed while the political crisis is still on?

The Nyiragongo volcano eruption

It was on 17th Jan 2002, Thursday evening, when the local radio announced the eruption - many people left their home to cross the border to Gisenyi in the neighbour Rwanda. We saw suddenly the town covered with dark smoke and a repetition of heavy earth quick. Some weeks before, the scientists stated that the underground reservoir was full of 20.000 cubic meters of magma and the danger was unforeseeable. It was unfortunately that the local politicians did not report to the people to prevent eventual loss of properties.

The lava did not come out from the crater but throughout four openings on the foot of the Nyiragongo. The people, who flew in Rwanda, were obliged to go back to their homeland in Congo, despite the situation. They were not well handled by the Rwandese. ‘’ Rather die home’’ the Congolese said while coming back to their land. On Friday, the half of the town was covered with field lava; many people lost their home.

Impact on conservation

The Nyiragongo volcano is part of the southern sector of the Virunga National Park, it is therefore evident that all kind of life was affected, include gorillas and their habitat. The air was polluted and toxic gas from underground killing lives with lack of oxygen.

Social lives of the people were also affected indirectly. Shops, banks, market and offices were buried the same day. About six kilometres of field lava took the direction to the park, burying the entire habitat.

Social situation of the community after the eruption

When the eruption began, the looters were ready to operate after the people have gone - anger, water and shelter are still a major problem. However, some associations came in help to the people and ngos (Non-Governmental Organisations) to assist their partners locally. Many people who lost their properties are still affected morally. On the government side it was difficult as the country divided into two factions due to the current political crisis, the capital Kinshasa had no access to Goma and could not come in to rescue directly.

Short notes on gorillas

The DRC, with its largest tropical rainforest, is the only country that protects both species: the Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla beringei) and the Plain gorillas (Gorilla gorilla graueri) The distribution of these apes is mainly in the Eastern region of the DRC; in the Kahuzi Biega National Park in the south and Virunga Park bordering Rwanda and Uganda.

In the north, 18 gorillas are daily monitored by park rangers in the Mt. Tshavirimu, supported by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund / Europe project. In Lubero a new gorilla reserve is also created with the community initiative. The threats to conservation of these apes are mainly the loss of the habitat and commercial movement witnessed of live gorilla captures. Rare case of crops raiding is registered.

In the Kahuzi Biega National Park, the park authority is controlling about 10% and the 90% used illegally for coltan mining. Two families of gorillas can be visited but due to the general situation, tourism remains closed.

Despite the situation the rangers are determined in their mission in both Virunga and Kahuzi Biega Park, but are they going to wait for the end of the war to save the entire ecosystem? No. Joint efforts are needed for effective conservation before it gets too late.

Jean Pierre Jobogo Mirindi

2001