Hunting is still a main activity around Maiko National Park, particularly for bushmeat to supply the markets of Lubutu, Bahwasende and Mangrezipa. Poaching of protected species aims to capture and sell monkeys, baby gorillas and chimpanzees.
In 2020, the provinces of Maniema and Tsopo launched a campaign to collect hunting weapons, in particular 12-gauge shotguns, the main locally manufactured weapon. They are mainly used for hunting, income and food supply. The population has voluntarily given up 265 of these weapons, but people suffer from food shortages and lack of income. Alternative livelihoods were created for those who gave up their guns. This was initiated by his ICCN (Congo Institute for Conservation of Nature) and supported by his partners Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe. These funded projects are:
An initiative for the rehabilitation and construction of a fishpond in the southern part of the park between Lubutu and Osso (or Osso). There, people are provided with funds, materials for development and fry. Water recovery projects in Obassa, Uyug and Tingi Tinggi. A cassava mill in Osso, Southern Sector. Oil, rice mill and cassava factory projects in her Manguredjipa in the northern sector run by women's unions.
Chimpanzee in Kyambura Gorge
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