The purpose of this 3-year project is to maintain the positive growth trend in mountain gorilla populations by protecting ~25% of the Virunga population and their habitat in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. Activities include: 1) conducting regular anti-poaching patrols with the national parks service, recording illegal activity, and removing wire snares; 2) providing passive protection by maintaining a daily physical presence with the research population; 3) maintaining a long-term monitoring program and collecting essential data used to inform conservation management; 4) contributing data to the national Ranger-Based Monitoring Program; 5) collecting standardized health data and fecal samples used for veterinary management; and 6) building local capacity through training of Rwandan staff, collaborators, and Rwandan students from both the University of Rwanda and the Kitabi College of Conservation and Environmental Management.
Ensuring continued Growth of the Virunga Mountain Gorilla Population through Protection, Monitoring and Research
