Okapi Wildlife Reserve

The Okapi Wildlife Reserve is located in the Ituri forest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is large, occupying about one-fifth of the Ituri forest. The Reserve is home to numerous species including the Okapi, primates, birds, and elephants. They live amongst the various forests that make up the reserve. Unfortunately, the Okapi Wildlife Reserve is under “attack.” It has been placed on the list World Heritage in Danger. There are numerous threats to the reserve that are endangering the survival of not only the inhabitants but the forests as well. The reserve is understaffed and short on resources which only serve to further worsen the problem as they are undermanned to deal with all of the threats to the reserve. While there are other reserves that may need funding, the Okapi Reserve is home to approximately 5000 Okapi, of the approximate 30,000 remaining. and needs funding in order to preserve them, as well as other endangered species on the reserve.

Biodiversity

The Okapi Reserve is a beautiful sanctuary for the Okapi. It is fairly large in that its size is 1,372,625ha. It sits amidst 4 types of forests which include both primary and secondary forests as well as mixed and swamp forests. These forest types are all located in and around the reserve creating a sight to behold. There are a couple of endangered cycads, known as Encephalartos marunguensis and E.schmitzii in the area. According to the United Nations Environment Programme website, “…in 9.1ha of mixed forest, 302 species of trees, including understorey trees, and 130 species of lianas were recorded; and in 40ha area of forest, 670 woody plant species were identifiedвЂ¦Ð²Ð‚Ñœ These lands are home to the mammals, birds and plant life that the reserve attempts to protect.

The forests of the reserve are home to many species. These species include the Okapi, for whom the reserve is named. The Okapi resemble a giraffe with a short neck. These creatures have long ears and a long tongue that is used to not only strip leaves from trees when eating but also to clean their bodies. They are known as a very clean forest animal.

In addition to the Okapi, the reserve is also home to over “4,000 elephants, 2,000 leopards, 13 primate species including chimpanzees, three species of crocodile, and may other rainforest species such as forest buffalo, water chevrotain, and a wide variety of birds and insects.” (Gilman International Conservation, n.d.) Adding to the various mammals and reptiles there are over 375 species of birds located in the forests. Some of these include the long-tailed hawk and spot-breasted ibis.

Threats

The Okapi Reserve was listed as an endangered site due to the threats that it faces day in and day out. Whether it’s illegal logging, mining or poaching, the forests as well as the inhabitants are under siege.

Areas are being disturbed and threatened by the illegal mining. Diamond, Colton and gold are all being mined illegally with little regard to the damage it is doing to the area. The influx of humans into the area disturbs an ecosystem that struggles to survive. “Every day, operations conducted in the southern sectors of the Okapi Wildlife reserve end by arresting some illegal miners who are transferred to Epulu for prosecution.” (Wildlifedirect.org, 2007).

Illegal logging is also taking its toll. The forests are being reduced by the illegal removal of trees. The damage to the ecosystem is obviously very concerning.. “This process is well advanced at the southeastern edge of the Landscape, demonstrating what must absolutely be avoided if the Landscape is to retain its biological value and its importance for the traditional peoples of the forest.” (Ituri-Epulu-Aru Landscape. n.d.)

These illegal operations, mining and logging, add to an already serious problem plaguing the reserve: poaching. Poaching is already a problem with “hunters” killing the elephants for their ivory tusks. The influx of people that came with the mining and logging camps stressed even more an already stressful situation. According to Planet Ark, “The miners brought a huge demand for bush meat, triggering an upsurge in the poaching of monkeys, the occasional elephant and duikers, small forest antelopes.”

Protections

The protections offered to the reserve are lacking. Several protections are in place but more is needed. As mentioned, the reserve has been placed on the list World Heritage in Danger. While it does identify the area as an endangered site, that in and of itself does not stop the onslaught. It does raise awareness to the seriousness of the situation at the reserve but does not actually stop the menaces that plague the reserve. The reserve employs approximately 80 guards. These rangers patrol the area however the area to cover is large and the devastation to the land continues.

The reserve also employs approximately 100 staff in addition to the guards. The staff holds skilled positions and are responsible for education, research and day to day management of the reserve including training of the guards as well as providing equipment. They attempt to educate the local population how to use the resources available to them wisely. “The Education team travels throughout the Reserve to remote villages giving environmental workshops, lectures and audio-visual presentations on the importance of biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of forest resources.” (Wildlife Conservation Network. n.d) The staff also provides a breeding program for