Bonobo (Pan paniscus) Conservation Strategy 2012–2022

36

to ensure protection of bonobos and their habitat are inadequate (weak capacity for PA manage-

ment and almost nonexistent management and protection of biodiversity outside PAs).

The objectives of this intervention strategy focus on significantly reducing poaching and traffick-

ing of bonobos and other protected species, better control over the illegal circulation of guns and 

ammunition, and strengthening biodiversity conservation in PAs and forest concessions.

Strategy 1: Strengthening institutional capacity

Strategic objectives Priority actions

Priority level 

Moderate

 ê

High 

 

êê

Very high

 êêê

S1/O1

By 2022, poaching 

within PAs is 

significantly reduced 

and bonobo densities 

are stable or 

increasing, compared 

to baseline surveys*

Strengthening capacities of PA staff for more effective 

antipoaching. This will include:

•  training

•  provision of equipment and infrastructure

•  establishment of effective, adaptive and targeted 

actions within PAs (patrols, intelligence network) and 

surrounding areas (intelligence network, road and river 

mobile patrols) 

•  provision of motivating working conditions

•  auditing of implementation to ensure compliance by 

antipoaching staff (LEM)

êêê

Establish system to ensure that poachers, traffickers, and 

gun and ammunition suppliers (see also S1/O4 below) are 

properly sanctioned by the judiciary system:

•  train, equip and motivate political and administrative 

authorities

•  ensure coordination and synergies between relevant 

authorities (administration, police, military, justice)

•  ensure follow-up of cases

•  ensure wide media coverage of all cases leading to 

arrest and sentencing of wildlife criminals

êêê

S1/O2

By 2022, the PA 

network shelters 

90% of bonobos** 

and the full range 

of their ecological 

diversity

Support completion of the administrative process for 

gazetting of the proposed national park within the ‘Eastern 

block’

êêê

Conduct the necessary surveys and scientific research 

that underlie and guide decisions on the best placement, 

size, design, habitat and ecological context of PAs so that 

bonobos have long-term access to the full spectrum of 

ecological needs for a self-sustaining population

êêê

Assess where new PAs would be most effective in terms 

of (i) absolute size of additional bonobo population 

protected (ii) connectivity to existing PAs containing 

significant numbers of bonobos and (iii) probability of new 

PAs being effective over a timescale of 100 years into the 

future

êêê

When priority areas for bonobos have been identified, 

initiate consultation and participatory processes with local 

(neighbouring communities, traditional and administrative 

authorities) and national stakeholders to achieve 

recognition and formalization of the legal status of new PAs

êêê

S1/O3

By 2016, measures 

to control and 

monitor the illegal 

bushmeat trade 

in priority bonobo 

areas*** have been 

established and 

are showing a 

steady decline in 

the occurrence of 

bonobos in the trade

Support relevant local authorities (police, army, MECNT) 

to a) effectively combat poaching and commerce of 

protected species and illegal bushmeat; b) ensure judicial 

follow-up of cases where authorities are involved in 

wildlife-related crime

êêê

Support effective law enforcement activities targeting 

transport networks for bushmeat, arms, munitions and 

sale of illegal hunting tools

êêê

Produce reliable baseline data on bonobo occurrence in 

the bushmeat trade and monitor trends over time

êêê

Table, Strategy 1, continued on next page

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37

Strategic objectives Priority actions

Priority level 

Moderate

 ê

High 

 

êê

Very high

 êêê

S1/O4

By 2018, the illegal 

circulation of guns 

and ammunition in 

PAs and their buffer 

zones is eliminated

Support mixed operations (FARDC, ANR, PNC, ICCN) to 

recover guns and ammunition held illegally and dispose 

of them appropriately so that they cannot be used for 

poaching; support the law enforcement efforts needed 

to apprehend illegal holders and the judicial process to 

secure effective prosecution of cases

êêê

Undertake sensitisation and lobbying campaigns for 

effective enforcement of legislation regarding the carrying 

of firearms and ammunition (see also Strategy 3), 

including supporting efforts to census legal holders of 

hunting weapons

êê

Organise sensitisation campaigns for voluntary 

handover of illegally-held weapons and ammunition, and 

compliance with regulations for shotguns

êê

S1/O5

By 2016, logging 

companies in the 

bonobo range 

are implementing 

management plans 

that secure effective 

protection of 

bonobos and other 

protected species

Identify both legal and illegal logging companies operating 

in the bonobo range and assess their activity status; lobby 

for immediate halt of illegal activities

êêê

Ensure that measures identified for wildlife management 

and conservation of protected species in the forest 

management plans of logging companies are clearly 

stated in specific internal company regulations, are 

applicable, implemented and effective

êêê

Support MECNT Conservation Department to implement 

sustainable forest management plans (financial support 

from logging companies, technical support from NGOs)

êêê

Provide technical expertise to logging companies to 

ensure adequate baseline data collection and follow-up 

surveys to monitor the impacts of logging operations on 

bonobos within concessions

êêê

* preferably carried out between 2008 and 2015

** as identified by the modelling group and eventually found in other areas identified as having suitable condi-

tions for bonobos

*** across the four strongholds, giving priority to the trade of bushmeat originating from protected areas

4.5.2 Strategy 2 Consultation and Collaboration with Local Actors 

Local actors are the people and their traditional and governmental representatives living close 

to bonobos. These are key actors with whom it is essential to engage, since many of the threats 

identified result from their activities (poaching, bushmeat trade, forest clearance). This strategy 

should target interventions that encourage local actors to support bonobo conservation within the 

framework of sustainable development initiatives. Clearly this strategy cuts across all interventions 

whose success can only be achieved if they are developed in consultation and collaboration with 

the local actors.

Although it is beyond the scope of this plan to resolve the socioeconomic problems of local com-

munities living in the bonobo’s range, it is nevertheless possible to design targeted interventions 

in collaboration with local actors that will reconcile local issues and bonobo conservation. Land-

use and zoning plans are important first steps and will set the framework for initiatives such as 

improved agricultural techniques, sustainable use of NTFPs and the development of alternative 

sustainable activities to encourage bonobo protection.

Another important actor with a considerable impact on conservation is the Congolese army. It 

is widely known that there is military involvement in the circulation of weapons and commercial 

poaching in DRC. Consultation and collaboration with this actor (also treated under Strategy S1/

O4) is crucial to restore the enforcement of national laws. At the same time, advocacy at the highest 

levels is needed so that sanctions will be imposed upon those implicated in commercial poaching.

Table, Strategy 1, continued from previous page

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