SyR-AP Activities for Pangolins

Synergie Rurale - Action Paysanne

(SyR-AP)  

Rural Synergy – Peasant Action

- (RSy-PA)

No Government Organization for the conservation of the nature and development 

Goal to reach: conservation of the nature and community development

Mission: to act for maintaining the environment and the local development through the conservation of the organic diversity and the management of natural resources

Quarterly report

July – august – September

2016

Sensibilization	Research	Training

Coordination

Rural Synergy – Peasant Action, RSy-PA (NGO) Phone: +243810694811, Email: keboyclaudeagmail.com

Blog: http://synergieruraleactionpaysanne.blogspot.com/

Democratic Republic of Congo

                                                        Introduction

        The Democratic Republic of Congo doesn’t have any specific plan for Pangolin, but during three months that is July – august – September, Rural Synergy – Peasant Action  has organized  an awareness campaign for the protection  especially of giant pangolins (Manis gigantea) and other species of small pangolins in the territorial district of Batere which is his area of action.

The coordination had firstly mobilized to reduce recurrent threats on giant pangolins and secondly to involve local populations in the conservation through these activities of sensibilization, formation and research to obtain a very large involvement of these populations. Our objective is to act in the protection of pangolins and in the management of natural resources.

For this, RSy-PA goes by international texts and rules such as the Red List of International Union for the Conservation of the nature (IUCN), the Conservation on Organic Diversity (COD) and Attached of the Convention on the international trade of wild fauna and flora species which is endangered species (CITES) with international recommendations of organizations like Species Survival Commission – Group of specialists of pangolins of the IUCN, Africa Pangolin Working Group (APWG), International Institute for Environment and development (IIED), the wildlife trade monitoring network (TRAFFIC), Partnership for forests of Congo’s basin and others.

Provided by the coordinator and the leader of the basis, his activities have been realized with material, technical and financial contributions of some of our members and partnerships.

For that purpose, we immensely thank Madame Carly Waterman of Species Survival Commission (SSC) and Pangolin Specialist Group (PSG) of the International Union for the conservation of the nature (IUCN) for their encouragements directions and Africa Pangolin Work Group (APWG) though the professor Ray Janssen who supplied us an example of identification index card (Standardized pangolin data sampling sheet) for the species of small pangolins with a view to classifying those who are in our area of action.

We also thank the members of RSy-PA who contributed each one according to his way for the sequence of activities in a planed time. Mr. Paty Iflankoy of Toulouse in France who brought a considerable financial contribution for the success of this mission, RSy-PA is grateful to him.

RSy-PA pays also tribute to Mr. Manuel Melaw, representative and traditional chief of Melaw Groupment in the territorial district of Batere, who not only gave us a warm welcome, but he took a judicious and historic decision to involve him-self with all his people in the conservation of giant pangolin, totem species, symbol of his power. His involvement is translated by the commitment letter on which he put his signature to prove his oath to everybody. This fact encourages and put us, actors of the conservation mind at rest.

We are also grateful to patrol men, formerly called hunter, chose by chief Melow and agree to abandon hunting for working to do something for the protection of giant pangolins and to struggle against his trade. This involvement had given us strength in our work.

At last, we give thanks to our actors of area as it is Mr. Christian Mungul, chief of basis in charge of program in RSy-PA and to Mr. Iyemone our administrative assistant who always positioned his time, his strength and his intelligence for accompanying us during these three months of activities.

We are convinced that this first session will find a favourable response nearby the community of national and international conservation.

Our thanks

Activities

Sensibilization

Area

The first stage of this campaign of sensibilization has concerned the riverside villages of the wide forest of Mukaw in his eastside, villages which are at north of the forest Lekaa and those of east of the forest Isabla and Djook. These are sides which have more villages and people having pressure on the fauna and the flora. There are villages like: Mbaan, Nsemoyou, Nsemakere, Ndojime, Mbanda 1, Mbanda 2, Miaka, Nsemazaa, and Kebina.

Topic

The topic which was worked is « no hunt, no eat, no sell pangolins » Our agents of the area had adopted for struggling against the crime of the wildlife and antienvironmental practices which are recurrent as it is the hunting, the poach, wildfire, destruction of forests and the consumption of wild meats as well as the opening of new market for the trade of pangolin’s shell by people from Kinshasa and Brazzaville.

The topic has been approached in this way:

·         Do not hunt: In the territorial district of Batere, the giant pangolin is a totem, a sacred species which represent the chief’s power. It is prohibited to kill giant pangolin in fear of being evicted from

the village or seeing his house on mysterious fire. This banning was used, reminded and strengthen;

·         Do not eat: According to the way and the custom of this community, it is not banned to eat giant or small pangolin’s meat. This sensibilization is based by international rules which are against the consumption of wild meat. Like in DRC there is not yet a specific rule on pangolins, the red list from IUCN, the CDB, CITES’s attached and TRAFFIC’s recommendation was important documents.

·         Do not sell: During an exchange of information, we had to explain to the local community the international rule for struggle against the illegal and illicit trade of pangolins as well as his derivatives. Recommendations of TRAFFIC organization and of CITES attached has been worked. Some cases of arrest and seizure through the world have been exhibited to show the extent of this fight and penalties.

Objectif

The objective we pursue in this sensibilization was to explain to this ignorant local population laws and rules for the protection of pangolins, that the poaching, the consumption, the hunting and pangolins trade (all species) was prohibited by the international community through laws, recommendations and rules

It is also about to make peasants know in despair conditions in which live pangolins as well as the importance and the usefulness to manage their natural resources and exactly to promote giant pangolins as local resource and treasur of the community.

Methodology

Because of lack of material to display and to project, we have carried out to exchanges of worries. Many meetings were organized with hunters, traditional chiefs, peasants of villages and notables.

The coordinator or chief of basis exhibits on each aspect of our theme, then people ask questions.  Finally, we start discussing for leading to the common compromised of protection which will respect the custom and will conform to the national and international rules

From this compromised, web ring out two important acts, that is to say the signature of declaration for the involvement of big chief of the grouping, Mr. Samuel Melaw (see annex 1) and the designation by this chief of some good hunters from different riverside villages of areas of the conservation, among them, there are owners of land in his grouping.

Target

The specific categories concerned for this stage are the traditional chiefs, notables and hunters. The choice of these categories of persons is justified; chiefs have responsibility to involve the community and to be obvious to the population while notables represent the public power, it is the representative of the state who is capable of judging local problems and transferring recalcitrants to higher authorities of security. A last, the hunters are biggest predatories of pangolins. The peasants also were in public meetings and have been sensibilized.

In all, more or less 700 persons were immediately affected and more than 2000 will indirectly affected by this campaign of sensibilization

Result 

Although the sensibilization results are not always immediately perceptible, but our activity has produced some good results.

Activities	Results
Remind of traditional banning to kill giant pangolins (respect of taboo and traditional banning)	-          Written involvement of chief of grouping -          7 persons, hunters and some owners of lands were transformed to patrol men
Sensibilization to fight against the illegal and illicit trade of pangolins and their products	-          Shells of pangolins kept for sale were shown and given to the coordinator -          Some traders of pangolin’s shells were denounced

 

                                From left to right: confiscated shells, trader women of wildlife

Research

The research for us at this stage consist to discover signs as well as new holes, track of movement and pasture for giant pangolins, to identify species of small pangolins. It was matter to undertake by collecting pangolin’s characteristics to establish a data base. This collection of data was not effective because of lack of scientific experience and difficulties found in the expedition of elements for collection of data promised by one of our partnerships. This is just a part given. The second campaign sensibilization for the year 2017 will think about it. Although realized at half, we could take small pangolin’s characteristics in waiting scientific observations and directions who will read our activities. Our patrol men have also started to remove traps in the forests.

Research of signs of giant pangolins and flushing out of traps

Patrol men were useful for walking in bushy and prickly forests. They told us that giant pangolin is difficult to be watched because of his nocturnal habits and the time he stays underground shelter. His excrements are less visible because they are eaten by other species like birds and rodents.

The most visible signs are holes and broken ant hill with track of pangolin’s tail.

Some signs like these were identified: that is to say holes, broken ant hill and tracks.

Seven (7) patrol men for the moment, each one keeps a eye on 5 holes at least. This board shows the detail of this work.

N°	Patrol men names	Number of Watched holes	Bush names	Connected riverside villages	Steam names
1	Kebungu Trésor	5	Mukaw	Semoyou et Mbanda 1	Mukaw
2	Mopila Ruffin Saidi	6	Mukaw	Nsemakere	Mukaw
3	Moju Franklin Osso	5	Lilibi	Mbaan	Lilibi
4	Iyelekay Alida	6	Mekier Meepe	Mbaan et Semoyou	Mukaw
5	Mabanga Godé	5	Djook	Kebina et Mdojime	Djook
6	Iyembay Elo	6	Lekaa	Mdojime	Lekaa
7	Saio Modiki	6	Lekaa	Nsemakere	Lekaa

Seven patrol men of RSy-PA All holes are on the edge of Rivers and generally near water, under the roots of big trees, besides rocks. All this, in the mountainous slope and in a shrub ecosystem.  From the first  to the last picture, patrol man verifies the hole, giant pangolin’s track of the tail, broken ant hill, Since 2010, the situation of holes appears like this: Period Discovered holes holes under watch Banned holes Removed traps 2010 - 2012 4 4 0 3 2013 - 2015 17 13 4 13 2016 - 26 22 4 21 Total 47 39 8 37 Holes pictures Identification of small pangolins In our areas, Lekaa, Isabla and Mukaw forest, there are two species that the signs correspond to Manis tricuspis, with small shells similar to Manis tetradactyla, only arboricol (those who live the trees) who are very spread in the region have been identified. It is about of small brown pangolins and black one with white belly. All samples of small pangolins we got alive for identification were back in the forest by patrol men. According to our patrol men, black small pangolins were all found in streams and near rivers while small brown pangolins were found in the bush and savannah. It is important to make known that there are many Manis tetradactyla, small black pangolins in forests were we our activities. According to the patrol men, as long as savannah is burned, small black pangolins are captured, burned and hunted. On the other hand small black pangolins live in under flood forests and bush which are difficult to seep into. Getting characteristics GIANT PANGOLINS According to our patrol men, the giant pangolin is a rare and difficult species to capture in dry season and as it is not possible to hunt him, we have waited more than three months to observe without a single tool of watch like camera. Only signs we found, no species no species itself. Although signs are visibles, patrol men, according to them, during dry season, giant pangolin may stay one mounth in is shelter without moving out, that is why it was not easy to watch this species. And it was exactly the period of our activitiy. We need time and modern material for watching. SMALL BLACK PANGOLIN (LIVING TREE) Two species have been identified in the area. It is about of small black pangolin with white belly and of small brown pangolin. Eight samples have been shown to us and were put back in forest. The getting of characteristics has concerned a sample by species of small pangolin: Date : 23/08/2016 Habitat : Fleed forest of Isabla Colour: Black with white belly Kind: Probably Manis tetradactyla Size: 88 cm Tail size: 53 cm Weight: 2, 7 kg Sex: M Particular signs: ------ Formation                                                                                      PATROL MEN (GUARD) Our seven (7) guards have received a formation in situ for the watch of holes and the getting of data. From the coordinator, they got: ·         human and environmental behavior to watch in the forest -        Never smoke -        to dig a hole before making filth -        do not spit out, and do not throw away an undegrading object ·         Creation of leads -        Never cut alive trees -        Keep watch over to join leads -        Mark indicative signs on trees ·         Arrangements to take to the discovery of new hole  -        take immediatly GPS coordinats -        to take photo of hole and his surrounding area -        research of other indications like excrements and footprints -        to search and to take of all ambush at the entrance of hole and surrounding area  ·         Methods to Watch holes ; -        to identify and to name each hole. It is about to write on a wood to put up (initial of guard/initial of forest’s name/hole’s number according to the order of discovery/GPS coordonat), for example: OM/MK/1/18o39’07.42’’ E which means OSSO Melaw/Mukaw/the first discovered hole/GPS coordonat. This system allow find easily the hole and especially to value what guards are doing; -        Always visit holes after each two days, the first visit will be the morning and the second one will be afternoon and so on. His objective (the guard) is to prevent hunters to install traps and to verify how holes are still frequented by pangolins. ·         The reportage Slips technical reports have been conceived to make the reportage easier and to adapt it (Annex 3&4). At the end of the formation, these missions were intrusted to the guards: Missions Tasks Patrol Research of holes and traps Inspection To discover hunters, poachers and to remove traps Watch To protect, to Watch over and to guard holes A patrol man is inspecting the forest LOCAL AGENTS Local agents have learned to write reports, to organize sessions of sensibilization and to assure the speech for defenses. Conclusion Today RSy-PA can be happy for the work done in the ground. It is true that there is lack of technical and scientific expertise, while the little experience we have in the conservation helped us to get ahead with the protection of giant pangolins. We are also delighted with the involvement of the community of Batere in this action of conservation.  The last term of the year 2016 will be for us the year of global estimate to measure results of activities done during the year. It is also about to measure the impact of the sensibilization and the level of supervision of holes.   Prospects After this campaign, RSy-PA plan to put on a technical system very specialized for watch of shelters and of pangolins in the forest. She suggest to create in the future, local community forests (LCF) in need of associating local community to the management of his natural resources and to reassure him for his involvement. RSy-PA will put on a planning of activities and will look for financing to: -          Strengthen capacities of his team patrol men by a very professional formation; -          Take care of patrol men to maintain them in the action of conservation; -          Give them materials for the watch of holes; -          Organize missions for researches of other areas and of biological inventory; -          Put on development activities in order to reassure and to support the efforts of involvement of riverside local populations of forests of conservation; -          Strengthen activities of sensibilization trough a tool of communication of the community in order to broadcast largely informations; -          Begin the process of creation of local community forests (LCF) In addition, RSy-PA must create local structures for the exchange of information in each riverside village of forests of protection. The coordination will work to : -          Speech for the defense next to the politico-administrative authorities of the Democratic Republic of Congo in order to get an urgency plan to save giant pangolins in danger; -          Sensibilize local services of security (the police, direction of migrations and of informations) in order to collaborate and to get their involvement in the struggle against the crime of pangolins; -          Put on local committees of conservation in all riverside villages of forests which will have like mission to assure the environmental and to coordinate activities of development. DIFFICULTIES We have met some difficulties as lack of materials of communication and of movement. Especially GPS to get data, professional photo devices for appropriate pictures, computers for the reportage and the communication, video projector for the sensibilization as well as motorbike for trips. SUGGESTION At the end of our activities, the communities have shown us some suggestions for allowing to go ahead in the conservation on the local plan. RSy-PA co-opted these suggestions as           recommendations from the campaign of sensibilization. In need reduce the consumption of pangolins, the local community has recommended: §  Alternative activities, as it is the small livestock farming and poultry in villages; §  To support the community through the development of school, sanitary and road facilities for the transport of farm products ; §  The commitment of local authorities  to the fight; §  Application of lows which are relatives to the protection of the fauna and the flora; §  The maintaining of the sensibilization besides populations RSy-PA thanks all those who took part to these activities. Annex 1: commitment letter of big chief of groupment Melaw Annex 2 : interview of chief of groupment Melaw Coordinator: Good morning sir, can you introduce yourself? Chief: my name is Samuel Melaw, I am the customary chief of groupment Melaw, the biggest of three groupment which constitute the territorial district of Batere. Coordinator: how many village you have in your groupment? Chief: all the territorial district of Batere has 64 villages, my groupment has more than 25, I manage 22 chiefs of lands Coordinator: Do you accept the ngo RSy-PA, how do you find his work on ground? Chief: I appreciate the activity of this ngo because it is the first in this way in our territorial district and in my groupment. Is basis chief has convinced by his work and his presence in the place of work. My family and my descendants who at little have studied explained that it is something good for our groupment, because the animals we keep in our tradition will bring us development. We were looking for an organization which can renovate our schools, sanitary centers and build bridges. RSy-PA has reassured us that it is possible if we get involved to protect pangolins. That is why I involved my community by the signature of a commitment letter which gives my forests up to the conservation. Coordinator: Tell us about giant pangolins, which value has this animal in your tradition? Chief: In our custom, the giant pangolin is a totem; it is reserved only for the customary chief. we eat it, but it is prohibited to kill it. For killing, I have myself to designate the one who will kill, this is to receive host. In case that a hunter kills giant pangolin, he must bring the entire animal to me, so that I will get my dues and to make the ceremony of breaking the spell on the hunter. This last (hunter) will get only the half of a quarter and all the rest is distributed to the members of chief’s family and notables of the village. Coordinator: Is there some penalties for those who forge?  Chief: Of course, on customary level, the hunter may notice some cases of death in his family or seeing his house being mysteriously burned. Normally, he can be chased away of village, even of groupment. He will go to live in another groupement or somewhere else. He must pay fine if not he will be subjected to penalties. Our unique regret is that the government does not help us in these penalties, and we apply our customary principles to punish them.    Coordinator: Like you are now involved, what are you waiting from RSy-PA and from those who required you to protect pangolins? Chief: Thank you, do you know that you’re the first to inform us about the protection of giant pangolins? The government has never told us this. Besides, our custom ipso facto protects giant pangolins, without knowing that one day the government will ban. Then you are our interlocutor and interface. There is need to tell to these persons that we are waiting for the development of our groupment and territorial district. Come to build schools, hospitals and bridge for us. Come to create jobs for our children. We are very poor, we are incompetents to treat our self, to move and our children sit on ground at school and these schools are in thatches and can collapse if there is violent wind. Coordinator: What’s your last word? Chief: I thank you for bringing us this ngo and we help each one of us. We wish you to be brave and you have our support.   Annex 3 :  Report form for patrol man Form for getting of data Name/ Village:……………………………………………. :………………………………………………………………………       Area/ Village: …………………………… …………….:……………………………………………………………………………  Identity of hole GPS coordonates of hole GPS coordonates of the area The state of the hole  Signs of pangolins  New discoveredd holes Observation Annex 4 : Monthly report form for the Chief of Basis TECHNICAL FORM/ MONTHLY REPORT Patrol men’s name Village Area of work GPS coordonates of area Number of discovered hole Number of hole under watch Observation (particular signs of holes)