Primate Expertise

From degraded lands to a thriving forest 🌳 We're excited to share an update on nature’s resilience in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Six years ago, our partner Primate Expertise (PEx) and community members planted seedlings from the Ape Trees™ project in degraded areas around Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Today, these trees have transformed the area into a small forest. Even more exciting, the PEx team has observed wildlife returning to this newly planted forest, highlighting the success of restoration efforts. This demonstration field in Maziba village has become a symbol of hope for the community. Their efforts show how a small area can make a big impact on people and nature, inspiring other communities and the next generation. 🌍✨ 📷: Primate Expertise #Reforestation #HabitatRestoration

Pendant trois jours, les étudiants de la Synergie des Écologistes pour l’Environnement et le Développement (SEED) appuyé par Primate Expertise ont collecté 845 kg de déchets non biodégradables dans l’habitat du gorille de Grauer au Parc National de Kahuzi-Biega (PNKB). Cette initiative s’inscrit dans le cadre de la campagne « Zéro déchet dans l’habitat du gorille de Grauer » que Primate Expertise mène depuis 2020 en vue d’assainir le Parc. lire plus: https://lnkd.in/dif8WPPz

https://lnkd.in/gQUTY6zr #WorldEnvironmentDay #WorldEnvironmentDay2024

Ce jeudi 30 mai, Primate Expertise a remis 45 tables et 45 bancs à l'Université du Cinquantenaire de Lwiro / UNI50-Lwiro , située à 5 kilomètres du Parc National de Kahuzi à l’Est de la République Démocratique du Congo. Ce geste vise à améliorer les conditions d'apprentissage des étudiants et à renforcer la sensibilisation à la protection des primates non humains. En travaillant main dans la main avec les écoles et les universités locales, nous formons une nouvelle génération de leaders environnementaux, prêts à s'engager pour la recherche et la conservation des primates non humains et des autres biodiversités. Les autorités universitaires ont exprimé leur gratitude, soulignant l'importance de ce soutien pour améliorer l'expérience éducative et renforcer les capacités de l'université à offrir une éducation de qualité. Wild Earth Allies #Conservation #educationenvironnementale #PrimateExpertise #UNI50Lwiro

À La rencontre des Babouins de Nyangezi au sud kivu à l’Est de la république démocratique du Congo. Dans les escarpements du groupement de Nyangezi, à l’est de la République Démocratique du Congo, le long de la rivière Ruzizi au Sud-Kivu, vit une communauté unique de babouins (Papio anubis). Leur habitat, bien que dénudé et érodé, est leur refuge. Ces babouins se répartissent en deux groupes de 40 individus chacun. Pour survivre, ils maraudent les cultures des paysans locaux, ce qui intensifie les conflits entre l'homme et la faune. Les prairies, autrefois leur sanctuaire, sont désormais des pâturages pour le bétail. Lire la suite pour en savoir plus sur ces babouins et les défis auxquels ils font face : https://lnkd.in/g-D7rE3r #biodiversite #nature #conservation #nyangezi

À La rencontre des Babouins de Nyangezi au sud kivu à l’Est de la république démocratique du Congo. Dans les escarpements du groupement de Nyangezi, à l’est de la République Démocratique du Congo, le long de la rivière Ruzizi au Sud-Kivu, vit une communauté unique de babouins (Papio anubis). Leur habitat, bien que dénudé et érodé, est leur refuge. Ces babouins se répartissent en deux groupes de 40 individus chacun. Pour survivre, ils maraudent les cultures des paysans locaux, ce qui intensifie les conflits entre l'homme et la faune. Les prairies, autrefois leur sanctuaire, sont désormais des pâturages pour le bétail. Lire la suite pour en savoir plus sur ces babouins et les défis auxquels ils font face : https://lnkd.in/g-D7rE3r #biodiversite #nature #conservation #nyangezi

It’s been an incredible week celebrating community-based conservation! Thanks to all who joined us in Washington, D.C. as we honored Augustin K. Basabose and MICHAEL Baraka NYAKABEJI of our partner Primate Expertise in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Eugene Rutagarama and Joelle Rutagarama, our team members in Rwanda. Together, we shone a light on the importance of grassroots efforts in combating global biodiversity loss. Their extraordinary work safeguards endangered primates while positively impacting communities. More to come soon on their inspiring stories! #CommunityConservation #WildlifeConservation

To conserve for future generations, we must act upstream by instilling conservation concepts in young people. With this in mind, Primate Expertise and its partner, Wildlife Earth Allies, commemorate International Forest Day happening on March 21 every year. To commemorate the event, 75 members of Friends of Nature Children's Clubs, including 60 schoolchildren and 15 supervisors from schools adjacent to Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP), visited areas reforested by Primate Expertise in the villages of Maziba and Kafurumaye.  This activity is part of our environmental education project, currently involving 15 schools, including 12 around the KBNP, where we are reinforcing the conservation of Grauer's gorilla, and 3 around the Idjwi-Nyamusisi Nature Reserve, where we are working to conserve Schouteden's blue monkey. During this visit, the students were delighted to explore the experimental fields of Ape trees and medicinal plants located in the neighborhood of KBNP. Simultaneously, they interacted with our permaculture demonstration field in Kashanja, where they learned about soil fertility and erosion management strategies. Additionally, they learned about the importance of the forest and its various benefits to the ecosystem. The day was a memorable experience for the young people involved in the conservation of natural resources in general, and the Grauer gorillas in particular.

Restoring Forests for Grauer's Gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park Kahuzi-Biega National Park and surrounding community forested areas are home to the world’s largest remaining population of Grauer’s gorillas. Eastern Areas around the Park are also among the most densely populated in the country – with population densities of up to 400 inhabitants per square kilometer. Subsistence agriculture, firewood collection, and other illegal activities have significantly contributed to escalating deforestation over the years. In the vicinity of Kahuzi-Biega National Park, all native forests have been completely cleared. This has pushed people to encroach on the park’s natural resources, collecting firewood, timber, honey, mushrooms, caterpillars, medicinal plants, etc. In response to this environmental crisis, Primate Expertise engaged in the restoration of degraded and fragmented forests around Kahuzi-Biega National Park. To achieve this goal, the organization has established four nurseries located in the villages of Lwiro, Kafurumaye, Tshivanga, and Kalulu. These nurseries produced seedlings grown from seeds collected in great apes' dungs.

On Sunday, February 25th, 2024, together with our partner Wild Earth Allies, we organized a workshop in Kavumu. Thirty-six passionate supervisors representing 13 schools neighboring Kahuzi Biega National Park and PEx local partners came together for an enriching training session. The focus? Building their capacity to lead Nature School Clubs with excellence. During this empowering session, these dedicated supervisors delved into the intricacies of school club management methodology, uncovering the socio-economic and medicinal values of Ape trees, along with their planting techniques. The enthusiasm in the room was palpable as they shared insights and suggestions for enhancing the club management module. What truly warmed our hearts as Primate Expertise was witnessing their genuine eagerness to incorporate Ape trees into their school environments, recognizing the myriad of values these remarkable trees bring. From environmental benefits to medicinal properties, the supervisors were inspired to integrate Ape trees into their educational journey. As a tangible demonstration of their newfound knowledge, a symbolic moment unfolded as Ape trees were planted in the serene confines of Madre Elena Grammar School's nuns' garden. It stood as a testament to the commitment of these supervisors towards sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. We are immensely proud to facilitate such transformative experiences, empowering educators to instill a love for nature and conservation in the hearts of future generations. Together, we're nurturing a generation of eco-conscious leaders who will champion the cause of biodiversity conservation.