I received a report from an inspector that soldiers stationed at Kasindi, on the western shore of Lake Edward, were involved in illegal activities. Allegedly they were burning charcoal from trees cut from within the park. 

I contacted the local administration representative and the regional captain of the army, and together we went to Kasindi to see for ourselves. Immediately we discovered several soldiers with charcoal ovens burning near their barracks.

Thanks to the presence of the captain and the local representative, we were able to force the soldiers to destroy the ovens. I will be keeping a close eye to make sure they don’t start doing it again…

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 The other evening we heard lions roaring not far from our station. Ishango has become suitable to carnivores now that animals such as antelope and buffalos have come back to the area.

The day after we heard the lions, we went on patrol and found the remains of a Ugandan Kob, which is the antelope species found here. It was clear that it had become the dinner of the lions we had heard the night before… 

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This is Godefroid. I have been pleased to notice that buffalos are back in large numbers in Ishango. There is a herd of 35-40 that hangs around the Ishango airstrip, and last week while I was on my motorbike I encountered a herd of more than 100!   

Buffalos are what I call a cosmopolitan species because they are not restricted to one habitat, alternating between woodland, grassland, etc. Ishango has an immense potential for these grazers, with water from both Lake Edward and the Semliki River, as well as the availability of evergreen pasture. 

Thankfully, buffalos are aggressive and well-known for attacking and killing hunters, so I expect poachers will stay clear from them! We will of course continue to patrol.

On Patrol

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This is Godefroid. As you may have heard, I am now in charge of the Ishango Station, where I hope to continue Atamato’s great work at this important site. I will of course keep you updated.

The View 

On the evening of my second day in Ishango, a group of 5 elephants came within 100 meters of the station. It felt like they had come to welcome me to this beautiful place. It was great to see them walking majestically and assured of themselves.

 I wondered if these elephants had survived the war, or if they had come over from across the border in Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda. Perhaps they had fled there and have come back now that peace has returned to the north of Virunga National Park?  

In any case, I was very happy to meet with my new neighbors!

My New Home 

Surveying the Territory

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The mountainous area is full of millepede, probably because of a lot of leaf litter found in the area. I am not sure if you have millipedes where you live, which is why I want to show you this photo.

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A big thank you to each and every one of you who read my blog and are
interested in what i am doing. To everybody who has made donations on my blog since i started up to now in order to protect and promote long term conservation of the Ruwenzori moutain biodiversity and the transboundary management in the northern-sector of the great Virunga National Park.

I would like to assure you that you have had a huge impact on my life. Without you i am sure 2007 would have been extremely boring. From my side, I wish you a wonderful festive season filled with loving wishes and bautifull thougths. May 2008 mark the beginning of a tidal wave of love, happiness and bright futures full of hope, productive and prosperous new year. And I do promise this year to provide my reader with a picture from the field of the Ruwenzori chimps.

Merry christmas and happy new year 2008!

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