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* Conservation activities reported include different types of patrolling, e.g., for surveillance, demarcation, wildlife/threat research and ecotourism.
* Conservation activities reported include different types of patrolling, e.g., for surveillance, demarcation, wildlife/threat research and ecotourism.
* Kahuzi-Biega National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1980.
* Kahuzi-Biega National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1980.




= Site characteristics =
= Site characteristics =


Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP) is located in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, close to the border with Rwanda. KBNP holds an exceptional diversity of flora and fauna, making it one of the most important sites in the Albertine Rift Valley. The park is named after two dormant volcanoes, Mount Kahuzi (3,308 m) and Mount Biega (2,790 m) ([https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/137/ UNESCO]). In 1970, Kahuzi-Biega National Park was created and in 1975 its area was extended to 6,000 sq. km. Since then, the park comprises two sectors, the low and high altitude sectors, which are linked by an ecological corridor ([https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/137/ UNESCO]). In 1980, the site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. KBNP is special in that the faunal and floral transition from low to highlands can be observed. With at least 1,178 plant species recorded in the highland sector, KBNP was designated as a centre of diversity for plants by IUCN and WWF in 1994 ([https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/137/ UNESCO]). KBNP is home to a large proportion of the endangered Grauer's gorilla population; in fact, KBNP and Maiko National Park support the most important Grauer's gorilla populations (Plumptre et al. 2015, Spira et al. 2016).
Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP) is located in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, close to the border with Rwanda. KBNP holds an exceptional diversity of flora and fauna, making it one of the most important sites in the Albertine Rift Valley. The park is named after two dormant volcanoes, Mount Kahuzi (3,308 m) and Mount Biega (2,790 m) ([https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/137/ UNESCO]). In 1970, Kahuzi-Biega National Park was created and in 1975 its area was extended to 6,000 sq. km. Since then, the park comprises two sectors, the low and high altitude sectors, which are linked by an ecological corridor ([https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/137/ UNESCO]). In 1980, the site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. KBNP is special in that the faunal and floral transition from low to highlands can be observed. With at least 1,178 plant species recorded in the highland sector, KBNP was designated as a centre of diversity for plants by IUCN and WWF in 1994 ([https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/137/ UNESCO]). KBNP is home to a large proportion of the endangered Grauer's gorilla population; in fact, KBNP and Maiko National Park support the most important Grauer's gorilla populations ([[#R00808|Plumptre et al. 2015]], [[#R00812|Spira et al. 2016]]).


'''Table 1. Basic site information for Kahuzi-Biega National Park'''
'''Table 1. Basic site information for Kahuzi-Biega National Park'''
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= Ape status =
= Ape status =


Between 1996 and 2000, it has been estimated that the highland gorilla population of KNBP decreased by almost 40%; the lowland population also experienced a decline during this time, and the forest corridor connecting the two populations was severed (Maldonado et al. 2012). Thanks to transect surveys conducted between 2015 and 2019 that could cover larger portions of the park, more accurate estimates could be derived (Plumptre et al. 2021). The Grauer's gorilla population is estimated to have declined by 80% in KBNP since the mid-1990s, whereas the chimpanzee population was estimated to have remained stable (Plumptre et al. 2021).
Between 1996 and 2000, it has been estimated that the highland gorilla population of KNBP decreased by almost 40%; the lowland population also experienced a decline during this time, and the forest corridor connecting the two populations was severed ([[#R00806|Maldonado et al. 2012]]). Thanks to transect surveys conducted between 2015 and 2019 that could cover larger portions of the park, more accurate estimates could be derived ([[#R00809|Plumptre et al. 2021]]). The Grauer's gorilla population is estimated to have declined by 80% in KBNP since the mid-1990s, whereas the chimpanzee population was estimated to have remained stable ([[#R00809|Plumptre et al. 2021]]).


'''Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for Kahuzi-Biega National Park'''
'''Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for Kahuzi-Biega National Park'''
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|-
|-
|''Gorilla beringei graueri''
|''Gorilla beringei graueri''
|1978-1979
|2015
|
|
|
|
|0.37
|0.79
|223.0
|325.0
|Kahuzi-Biega National Park
|Kahuzi-Biega National Park highland sector
|Full count
|Line transects
|
|Murnyak 1981
|
|
|WCS and ICCN, as cited by [[#R00812|Spira et al. 2016]]
|
|
|COD0036, COD0063<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="+12 more" data-collapsetext="less">COD0064, COD0065, COD0066, COD0068, COD0070, COD0071, COD0072, COD0073, COD0074, COD0075, COD0083, COD0085</div>
|-
|-
|''Gorilla beringei graueri''
|''Gorilla beringei graueri''
|1990
|2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|258.0
|213.0
|Kahuzi-Biega National Park
|Kahuzi-Biega National Park highland sector
|Full count
|Reconnaissance walk
|
|Yamagiwa et al. 1993
|
|
|
|[[#R00812|Spira et al. 2016]]
|abundance estimate is a minimum
|COD0036, COD0063<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="+12 more" data-collapsetext="less">COD0064, COD0065, COD0066, COD0068, COD0070, COD0071, COD0072, COD0073, COD0074, COD0075, COD0083, COD0085</div>
|-
|-
|''Gorilla beringei graueri''
|''Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii''
|2015
|2011-2019
|
|
|
|
|0.79
|325.0
|Kahuzi-Biega National Park highland sector
|Line transects
|
|
|WCS and ICCN, as cited by Spira et al. 2016
|2,500 (1,804-3,462)
|Kahuzi-Biega National Park
|Line transects & recces
|
|
|[[#R00809|Plumptre et al. 2021]]
|
|
|COD0036, COD0064<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="+21 more" data-collapsetext="less">COD0065, COD0066, COD0068, COD0070, COD0071, COD0072, COD0074, COD0075, COD0080, COD0081, COD0082, COD0083, COD0084, COD0085, COD0086, COD0088, COD0122, COD0144, COD0158, COD0159, COD0162</div>
|-
|-
|''Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii''
|''Gorilla beringei graueri''
|2011-2019
|2011-2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|2,500 (1,804-3,462)
|1,571 (824-2,993)
|Kahuzi-Biega National Park
|Kahuzi-Biega National Park
|Line transects & recces
|Line transects & recces
|
|
|Plumptre et al. 2021
|[[#R00809|Plumptre et al. 2021]]
|
|
|
|COD0036, COD0064<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="+21 more" data-collapsetext="less">COD0065, COD0066, COD0068, COD0070, COD0071, COD0072, COD0074, COD0075, COD0080, COD0081, COD0082, COD0083, COD0084, COD0085, COD0086, COD0088, COD0122, COD0144, COD0158, COD0159, COD0162</div>
|-
|-
|''Gorilla beringei graueri''
|''Gorilla beringei graueri''
|2011-2019
|1990
|
|
|
|
|
|
|1,571 (824-2,993)
|258.0
|Kahuzi-Biega National Park
|Kahuzi-Biega National Park
|Line transects & recces
|Full count
|
|
|Plumptre et al. 2021
|[[#R00813|Yamagiwa et al. 1993]]
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|''Gorilla beringei graueri''
|''Gorilla beringei graueri''
|2015
|1978-1979
|
|
|
|
|0.37
|223.0
|Kahuzi-Biega National Park
|Full count
|
|
|213.0
|[[#R00807|Murnyak 1981]]
|Kahuzi-Biega National Park highland sector
|Reconnaissance walk
|
|
|Spira et al. 2016
|abundance estimate is a minimum
|
|
|}
|}
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= Threats =
= Threats =


With the onset of civil war in 1996, armed groups settled within the boundaries of the park, as the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN), the Congolese wildlife authority, had lost control of the park. This exacerbated natural resource extraction from within the park, including hunting of wildlife for subsistence and trade (Spira et al. 2016). In a 2014 survey of local miners surrounding the site, almost all the interviewed miners stated that they consumed bushmeat regularly because of the lack of alternatives. Most of the respondents also believed that bushmeat hunting had caused declines and local extinctions of some mammals, including great apes (Spira et al. 2019).
With the onset of civil war in 1996, armed groups settled within the boundaries of the park, as the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN), the Congolese wildlife authority, had lost control of the park. This exacerbated natural resource extraction from within the park, including hunting of wildlife for subsistence and trade ([[#R00812|Spira et al. 2016]]). In a 2014 survey of local miners surrounding the site, almost all the interviewed miners stated that they consumed bushmeat regularly because of the lack of alternatives. Most of the respondents also believed that bushmeat hunting had caused declines and local extinctions of some mammals, including great apes ([[#R00810|Spira et al. 2019]]).


'''Table 3. Threats to apes reported for Kahuzi-Biega National Park'''
'''Table 3. Threats to apes reported for Kahuzi-Biega National Park'''
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!Description
!Description
!Year of threat
!Year of threat
|-
|6 Human intrusions & disturbance
|6.2 War, civil unrest & military exercises
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|Breakdown of government control with the onset of civil war in 1996. The Congolese wildlife authority lost control of the park; armed groups settled within its boundaries and unregulated extraction of minerals continue to fuel civil conflict in the region (Plumptre et al. 2015).
|1996-2003
|-
|-
|3 Energy production & mining
|3 Energy production & mining
|3.2 Mining & quarrying
|3.2 Mining & quarrying
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|Artisanal mining. Unregulated extraction of gold, tin (cassiterite), tungsten, diamond and coltan. Numerous active mining sites are present in the park. Many mines are controlled by armed militia (Plumptre et al. 2015; Spira et al. 2019).
|Artisanal mining. Unregulated extraction of gold, tin (cassiterite), tungsten, diamond and coltan. Numerous active mining sites are present in the park. Many mines are controlled by armed militia ([[#R00808|Plumptre et al. 2015]]; [[#R00810|Spira et al. 2019]]).
|2015-Ongoing (2019)
|2015-Ongoing (2019)
|-
|-
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|5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals
|5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|High levels of subsistence hunting and bushmeat extraction, linked to mining activities in and around the site (Spira et al. 2019).
|High levels of subsistence hunting and bushmeat extraction, linked to mining activities in and around the site ([[#R00810|Spira et al. 2019]]).
|Ongoing (2019)
|Ongoing (2019)
|-
|6 Human intrusions & disturbance
|6.2 War, civil unrest & military exercises
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|Breakdown of government control with the onset of civil war in 1996. The Congolese wildlife authority lost control of the park; armed groups settled within its boundaries and unregulated extraction of minerals continue to fuel civil conflict in the region ([[#R00808|Plumptre et al. 2015]]).
|1996-2003
|}
|}


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= Conservation activities =
= Conservation activities =


KBNP is managed by the Congolese wildlife authority, Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN), which employs rangers (Spira, Kirkby & Plumptre 2019).
KBNP is managed by the Congolese wildlife authority, Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN), which employs rangers ([[#R00811|Spira, Kirkby & Plumptre 2019]]).


'''Table 4. Conservation activities reported for Kahuzi-Biega National Park'''
'''Table 4. Conservation activities reported for Kahuzi-Biega National Park'''
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!Implementing organization(s)
!Implementing organization(s)
!Year of activity
!Year of activity
|-
|5 Protection & restoration
|5.2 Legally protect ape habitat
|The site is a National Park.
|
|1970-Ongoing (2023)
|-
|-
|2 Counter-wildlife crime
|2 Counter-wildlife crime
|2.11 Implement monitoring surveillance strategies (e.g., SMART) or use monitoring data to improve effectiveness of patrols
|2.11 Implement monitoring surveillance strategies (e.g., SMART) or use monitoring data to improve effectiveness of patrols
|Since 2014 rangers in Kahuzi–Biega National Park have been using SMART (Spira, Kirkby & Plumptre 2019).
|Since 2014 rangers in Kahuzi–Biega National Park have been using SMART ([[#R00811|Spira, Kirkby & Plumptre 2019]]).
|
|
|2014-Ongoing (2019)
|2014-Ongoing (2019)
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|2 Counter-wildlife crime
|2 Counter-wildlife crime
|2.3 Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols
|2.3 Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols
|The park employs several rangers who conduct surveillance, demarcation, and threat research patrols (Spira, Kirkby & Plumptre 2019).
|The park employs several rangers who conduct surveillance, demarcation, and threat research patrols ([[#R00811|Spira, Kirkby & Plumptre 2019]]).
|
|
|Ongoing (2019)
|Ongoing (2019)
|-
|5 Protection & restoration
|5.2 Legally protect ape habitat
|The site is a National Park.
|
|1970-Ongoing (2026)
|}
|}


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= Challenges =
= Challenges =


The most urgent need is to demilitarise artisanal mines in and around KBNP to reduce poaching and enable the ICCN to enforce conservation laws (Spira et al. 2016).  Based on a 2015-2016 interview survey of rangers in KBNP, ranger job satisfaction could improve with higher salaries, more promotion opportunities and recognition from the government, positive performance incentives, better security, improved living conditions in remote patrol posts and more support from the judicial system (Spira, Kirkby & Plumptre 2019).
The most urgent need is to demilitarise artisanal mines in and around KBNP to reduce poaching and enable the ICCN to enforce conservation laws ([[#R00812|Spira et al. 2016]]).  Based on a 2015-2016 interview survey of rangers in KBNP, ranger job satisfaction could improve with higher salaries, more promotion opportunities and recognition from the government, positive performance incentives, better security, improved living conditions in remote patrol posts and more support from the judicial system ([[#R00811|Spira, Kirkby & Plumptre 2019]]).


'''Table 5. Challenges reported for Kahuzi-Biega National Park'''
'''Table 5. Challenges reported for Kahuzi-Biega National Park'''
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!Source
!Source
!Year(s)
!Year(s)
|-
|4 Institutional support
|4.1 Lack of law enforcement
|[[#R00808|Plumptre et al. 2015]]; [[#R00811|Spira, Kirkby & Plumptre 2019]]
|
|-
|-
|6 Safety and stability
|6 Safety and stability
|6.3 Civil unrest/war
|6.3 Civil unrest/war
|Plumptre et al. 2015; Spira, Kirkby & Plumptre 2019
|[[#R00808|Plumptre et al. 2015]]; [[#R00811|Spira, Kirkby & Plumptre 2019]]
|
|-
|4 Institutional support
|4.1 Lack of law enforcement
|Plumptre et al. 2015; Spira, Kirkby & Plumptre 2019
|
|
|}
|}
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= Exposure to climate change impacts =
= Exposure to climate change impacts =


As part of a study on the exposure of African great ape sites to climate change impacts, Kiribou et al. subm. extracted climate data and data on projected extreme climate impact events for the site. Climatological characteristics were derived from observation-based climate data provided by the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISIMIP, www.isimip.org). Parameters were calculated as the average across each 30-year period. For 1981-2010, the EWEMBI dataset from ISIMIP2a was used. For the two future periods (2021-2050 and 2071-2099) ISIMIP2b climate data based on four CMIP5 global climate models were used. For future projections, two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) were used. RCP 2.6 is a scenario with strong mitigation measures in which global temperatures would likely rise below 2C. RCP 6.0 is a scenario with medium emissions in which global temperatures would likely rise up to 3C by 2100. For the number of days with heavy precipitation events, the 98th percentile of all precipitation days (>1mm/d) was calculated for the 1979-2013 reference period as a threshold for a heavy precipitation event. Then, for each year, the number of days above that threshold was derived. The figures on temperature and precipitation anomaly show the deviation from the mean temperature and mean precipitation for the 1979-2013 reference period.
As part of a study on the exposure of African great ape sites to climate change impacts, [[#R02219|Kiribou et al. (2024)]] extracted climate data and data on projected extreme climate impact events for the site. Climatological characteristics were derived from observation-based climate data provided by the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISIMIP, www.isimip.org). Parameters were calculated as the average across each 30-year period. For 1981-2010, the EWEMBI dataset from ISIMIP2a was used. For the two future periods (2021-2050 and 2071-2099) ISIMIP2b climate data based on four CMIP5 global climate models were used. For future projections, two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) were used. RCP 2.6 is a scenario with strong mitigation measures in which global temperatures would likely rise below 2C. RCP 6.0 is a scenario with medium emissions in which global temperatures would likely rise up to 3C by 2100. For the number of days with heavy precipitation events, the 98th percentile of all precipitation days (>1mm/d) was calculated for the 1979-2013 reference period as a threshold for a heavy precipitation event. Then, for each year, the number of days above that threshold was derived. The figures on temperature and precipitation anomaly show the deviation from the mean temperature and mean precipitation for the 1979-2013 reference period.


The estimated exposure to future extreme climate impact events (crop failure, drought, river flood, wildfire, tropical cyclone, and heatwave) is based on a published dataset by Lange et al. 2020 derived from ISIMIP2b data. The same global climate models and RCPs as described above were used. Within each 30-year period, the number of years with an extreme event and the average proportion of the site affected were calculated (see Kiribou et al. subm. for details).
The estimated exposure to future extreme climate impact events (crop failure, drought, river flood, wildfire, tropical cyclone, and heatwave) is based on a published dataset by Lange et al. 2020 derived from ISIMIP2b data. The same global climate models and RCPs as described above were used. Within each 30-year period, the number of years with an extreme event and the average proportion of the site affected were calculated ([[#R02219|Kiribou et al. 2024]]).


'''Table 8. Estimated past and projected climatological characteristics in Kahuzi-Biega National Park'''
'''Table 8. Estimated past and projected climatological characteristics in Kahuzi-Biega National Park'''
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<div><ul><li style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: top;"> [[File:PrecipAnomaly_Kahuzi-Biega_NP.png| 450px | thumb| none | Precipitation anomaly inKahuzi-Biega National Park]] </li><li style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: top;"> [[File:TempAnomaly_Kahuzi-Biega_NP.png | 450px | thumb| none | Temperature anomaly inKahuzi-Biega National Park]] </li></ul></div>
<div><ul><li style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: top;"> [[File:PrecipAnomaly_Kahuzi-Biega_NP.png| 450px | thumb| none | Precipitation anomaly in Kahuzi-Biega National Park]] </li><li style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: top;"> [[File:TempAnomaly_Kahuzi-Biega_NP.png | 450px | thumb| none | Temperature anomaly in Kahuzi-Biega National Park]] </li></ul></div>


= External links =
= External links =
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= References =
= References =


Spira, C., Mitamba, G., Kirkby, A., Kalikunguba, T., Nishuli, R. and Plumptre,A. (2016) Grauer’s Gorilla Numbers Increasing in Kahuzi-Biega National Park Highlands: 2015 Census in Tshivanga Sector. Unpublished report by the Wildlife Conservation Society.
<span id="R00806"></span>Maldonado, O., Aveling, C., Cox, D., Nixon, S., Nishuli, R., Merlo, D., Pintea, L. & Williamson, E.A. (2012). Grauer’s Gorillas and Chimpanzees in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (Kahuzi-Biega, Maiko, Tayna and Itombwe Landscape): Conservation Action Plan 2012–2022. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group, Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation & Tourism, Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature & the Jane Goodall Institute. 66pp. [http://www.primate-sg.org/storage/pdf/Eastern_DRC_CAP.pdf link]
 
<span id="R00807"></span>Murnyak, D. F. (1981). Censusing the gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park. ''Biological Conservation'', 21(3), 163-176. [https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-3207(81)90089-6 doi:10.1016/0006-3207(81)90089-6]


Spira, C., Kirkby, A., Kujirakwinja, D., & Plumptre, A. J. (2019). The socio-economics of artisanal mining and bushmeat hunting around protected areas: Kahuzi–Biega National Park and Itombwe Nature Reserve, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Oryx, 53(1), 136-144.
<span id="R00808"></span>Plumptre, A. J., Nixon, S., Critchlow, R., Vieilledent, G., Nishuli, R., Kirkby, A., …, & Kujirakwinja, D. (2015). Status of Grauer's Gorilla and Chimpanzees in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: Historical and Current Distribution and Abundance. Wildlife Conservation Society. [https://doi.org/10.19121/2015.report.dmx3094100000 doi:10.19121/2015.report.dmx3094100000]


Spira, C., Kirkby, A., & Plumptre, A. (2019). Understanding ranger motivation and job satisfaction to improve wildlife protection in Kahuzi–Biega National Park, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Oryx, 53(3), 460-468. doi:10.1017/S0030605318000856
<span id="R00809"></span>Plumptre, A. J., Kirkby, A., Spira, C., Kivono, J., Mitamba, G., Ngoy, E., …, & Kujirakwinja, D. (2021). Changes in Grauer's gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri) and other primate populations in the Kahuzi‐Biega National Park and Oku Community Reserve, the heart of Grauer's gorilla global range. ''American Journal of Primatology'', 83(7), e23288. [https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.23288 doi:10.1002/ajp.23288]


Plumptre, A.J., Nixon, S., Critchlow, R., Vieilledent, G., Nishuli, R., Kirkby, A., Williamson, E.A., Hall, J.S. & Kujirakwinja, D. (2015). Status of Grauer’s gorilla and chimpanzees in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: Historical and current distribution and abundance. Unpublished report to Arcus Foundation, USAID and US Fish and Wildlife Service.
<span id="R00810"></span>Spira, C., Kirkby, A., Kujirakwinja, D., & Plumptre, A. J. (2019). The socio-economics of artisanal mining and bushmeat hunting around protected areas: Kahuzi–Biega National Park and Itombwe Nature Reserve, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Oryx, 53(1), 136-144. [https://doi.org/10.1017/s003060531600171x doi:10.1017/s003060531600171x]


Plumptre, A. J., Kirkby, A., Spira, C., Kivono, J., Mitamba, G., Ngoy, E., ... & Kujirakwinja, D. (2021). Changes in Grauer's gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri) and other primate populations in the Kahuzi‐Biega National Park and Oku Community Reserve, the heart of Grauer's gorilla global range. American Journal of Primatology, 83(7), e23288.
<span id="R00811"></span>Spira, C., Kirkby, A. E., & Plumptre, A. J. (2019). Understanding ranger motivation and job satisfaction to improve wildlife protection in Kahuzi–Biega National Park, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. ''Oryx'', 53(3), 460-468. [https://doi.org/10.1017/s0030605318000856 doi:10.1017/s0030605318000856]


Maldonado, O., Aveling, C., Cox, D., Nixon, S., Nishuli, R., Merlo, D., Pintea, L. & Williamson, E.A. (2012). Grauer’s Gorillas and Chimpanzees in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (Kahuzi-Biega, Maiko, Tayna and Itombwe Landscape): Conservation Action Plan 2012–2022. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group, Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation & Tourism, Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature & the Jane Goodall Institute. 66pp.
<span id="R00812"></span>Spira, C., Mitamba, G., Kirkby, A., Kalikunguba, T., Nishuli, R. and Plumptre,A. (2016) Grauer’s Gorilla Numbers Increasing in Kahuzi-Biega National Park Highlands: 2015 Census in Tshivanga Sector. Unpublished report by the Wildlife Conservation Society.


Murnyak, D. F. (1981). Censusing the gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Biol. Conservl, 21, 163-76.
<span id="R00813"></span>Yamagiwa, J., Mwanza, N., Spangenberg, A., Maruhashi, T., Yumoto, T., Fischer, A., & Steinhauer-Burkart, B. (1993). A census of the eastern lowland gorillas Gorilla gorilla graueri in Kahuzi-Biega National Park with reference to mountain gorillas G. g. beringei in the Virunga Region, Zaire. ''Biological Conservation'', 64(1), 83-89. [https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-3207(93)90386-f doi:10.1016/0006-3207(93)90386-f]


Yamagiwa, J., Mwanza, N., Spangenberg, A., Maruhashi, T., Yumoto, T., Fischer, A. & Steinhauer, B.B. (1993). A census of the eastern lowland gorillas Gorilla gorilla graueri in Kahuzi-Biega National Park with reference to mountain gorillas G.g. beringei in the Virunga region, Zaire. Biol Conserv 64, 83–89.
<span id="R02219"></span>Kiribou, R., Tehoda, P., Chukwu, O., Bempah, G., Kühl, H. S., Ferreira, J., …, & Heinicke, S. (2024). Exposure of African ape sites to climate change impacts. ''PLOS Climate'', 3(2), e0000345. [https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000345 doi:10.1371/journal.pclm.0000345]






'''Page created by: '''APES Atlas Team''' Date:''' 2023-11-23
'''Page created by: '''APES Atlas Team''' Date:''' 2023-11-23

Latest revision as of 17:53, 15 October 2026

Central Africa > Democratic Republic of the Congo > Kahuzi-Biega National Park

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Summary

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  • Eastern chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) & Grauer's gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri) are present in Kahuzi-Biega National Park.
  • The gorilla population in the park has been estimated at 1,571 (95% CI 824–2,993) individuals; the chimpanzee population at 2,500 (95% CI: 1,804–3,462) individuals.
  • The site has a total size of 6,000 km².
  • Poaching linked to mining activities is a key threat to great apes at the site.
  • Conservation activities reported include different types of patrolling, e.g., for surveillance, demarcation, wildlife/threat research and ecotourism.
  • Kahuzi-Biega National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1980.


Site characteristics

Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP) is located in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, close to the border with Rwanda. KBNP holds an exceptional diversity of flora and fauna, making it one of the most important sites in the Albertine Rift Valley. The park is named after two dormant volcanoes, Mount Kahuzi (3,308 m) and Mount Biega (2,790 m) (UNESCO). In 1970, Kahuzi-Biega National Park was created and in 1975 its area was extended to 6,000 sq. km. Since then, the park comprises two sectors, the low and high altitude sectors, which are linked by an ecological corridor (UNESCO). In 1980, the site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. KBNP is special in that the faunal and floral transition from low to highlands can be observed. With at least 1,178 plant species recorded in the highland sector, KBNP was designated as a centre of diversity for plants by IUCN and WWF in 1994 (UNESCO). KBNP is home to a large proportion of the endangered Grauer's gorilla population; in fact, KBNP and Maiko National Park support the most important Grauer's gorilla populations (Plumptre et al. 2015, Spira et al. 2016).

Table 1. Basic site information for Kahuzi-Biega National Park

Species Gorilla beringei graueri, Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii
Area 6,000 km²
Coordinates Lat: -2.223171 , Lon: 28.389500
Type of site Protected area (National Park)
Habitat types Subtropical/tropical moist montane forest
Type of governance

Types of sites Governance types Habitat types

Ape status

Between 1996 and 2000, it has been estimated that the highland gorilla population of KNBP decreased by almost 40%; the lowland population also experienced a decline during this time, and the forest corridor connecting the two populations was severed (Maldonado et al. 2012). Thanks to transect surveys conducted between 2015 and 2019 that could cover larger portions of the park, more accurate estimates could be derived (Plumptre et al. 2021). The Grauer's gorilla population is estimated to have declined by 80% in KBNP since the mid-1990s, whereas the chimpanzee population was estimated to have remained stable (Plumptre et al. 2021).

Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for Kahuzi-Biega National Park

Species Year Occurrence Encounter or vistation rate (nests/km; ind/day) Density estimate [ind./ km²] (95% CI) Abundance estimate (95% CI) Survey area Sampling method Analytical framework Source Comments A.P.E.S. database ID
Gorilla beringei graueri 2015 0.79 325.0 Kahuzi-Biega National Park highland sector Line transects WCS and ICCN, as cited by Spira et al. 2016 COD0036, COD0063
COD0064, COD0065, COD0066, COD0068, COD0070, COD0071, COD0072, COD0073, COD0074, COD0075, COD0083, COD0085
Gorilla beringei graueri 2015 213.0 Kahuzi-Biega National Park highland sector Reconnaissance walk Spira et al. 2016 abundance estimate is a minimum COD0036, COD0063
COD0064, COD0065, COD0066, COD0068, COD0070, COD0071, COD0072, COD0073, COD0074, COD0075, COD0083, COD0085
Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii 2011-2019 2,500 (1,804-3,462) Kahuzi-Biega National Park Line transects & recces Plumptre et al. 2021 COD0036, COD0064
COD0065, COD0066, COD0068, COD0070, COD0071, COD0072, COD0074, COD0075, COD0080, COD0081, COD0082, COD0083, COD0084, COD0085, COD0086, COD0088, COD0122, COD0144, COD0158, COD0159, COD0162
Gorilla beringei graueri 2011-2019 1,571 (824-2,993) Kahuzi-Biega National Park Line transects & recces Plumptre et al. 2021 COD0036, COD0064
COD0065, COD0066, COD0068, COD0070, COD0071, COD0072, COD0074, COD0075, COD0080, COD0081, COD0082, COD0083, COD0084, COD0085, COD0086, COD0088, COD0122, COD0144, COD0158, COD0159, COD0162
Gorilla beringei graueri 1990 258.0 Kahuzi-Biega National Park Full count Yamagiwa et al. 1993
Gorilla beringei graueri 1978-1979 0.37 223.0 Kahuzi-Biega National Park Full count Murnyak 1981

Sampling methods Analytical frameworks

Threats

With the onset of civil war in 1996, armed groups settled within the boundaries of the park, as the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN), the Congolese wildlife authority, had lost control of the park. This exacerbated natural resource extraction from within the park, including hunting of wildlife for subsistence and trade (Spira et al. 2016). In a 2014 survey of local miners surrounding the site, almost all the interviewed miners stated that they consumed bushmeat regularly because of the lack of alternatives. Most of the respondents also believed that bushmeat hunting had caused declines and local extinctions of some mammals, including great apes (Spira et al. 2019).

Table 3. Threats to apes reported for Kahuzi-Biega National Park

Category Specific threats Threat level Description Year of threat
3 Energy production & mining 3.2 Mining & quarrying High (more than 70% of population affected) Artisanal mining. Unregulated extraction of gold, tin (cassiterite), tungsten, diamond and coltan. Numerous active mining sites are present in the park. Many mines are controlled by armed militia (Plumptre et al. 2015; Spira et al. 2019). 2015-Ongoing (2019)
5 Biological resource use 5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals High (more than 70% of population affected) High levels of subsistence hunting and bushmeat extraction, linked to mining activities in and around the site (Spira et al. 2019). Ongoing (2019)
6 Human intrusions & disturbance 6.2 War, civil unrest & military exercises High (more than 70% of population affected) Breakdown of government control with the onset of civil war in 1996. The Congolese wildlife authority lost control of the park; armed groups settled within its boundaries and unregulated extraction of minerals continue to fuel civil conflict in the region (Plumptre et al. 2015). 1996-2003

Threats

Conservation activities

KBNP is managed by the Congolese wildlife authority, Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN), which employs rangers (Spira, Kirkby & Plumptre 2019).

Table 4. Conservation activities reported for Kahuzi-Biega National Park

Category Specific activity Description Implementing organization(s) Year of activity
2 Counter-wildlife crime 2.11 Implement monitoring surveillance strategies (e.g., SMART) or use monitoring data to improve effectiveness of patrols Since 2014 rangers in Kahuzi–Biega National Park have been using SMART (Spira, Kirkby & Plumptre 2019). 2014-Ongoing (2019)
2 Counter-wildlife crime 2.3 Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols The park employs several rangers who conduct surveillance, demarcation, and threat research patrols (Spira, Kirkby & Plumptre 2019). Ongoing (2019)
5 Protection & restoration 5.2 Legally protect ape habitat The site is a National Park. 1970-Ongoing (2026)

Conservation activities

Challenges

The most urgent need is to demilitarise artisanal mines in and around KBNP to reduce poaching and enable the ICCN to enforce conservation laws (Spira et al. 2016). Based on a 2015-2016 interview survey of rangers in KBNP, ranger job satisfaction could improve with higher salaries, more promotion opportunities and recognition from the government, positive performance incentives, better security, improved living conditions in remote patrol posts and more support from the judicial system (Spira, Kirkby & Plumptre 2019).

Table 5. Challenges reported for Kahuzi-Biega National Park

Challenges Specific challenges Source Year(s)
4 Institutional support 4.1 Lack of law enforcement Plumptre et al. 2015; Spira, Kirkby & Plumptre 2019
6 Safety and stability 6.3 Civil unrest/war Plumptre et al. 2015; Spira, Kirkby & Plumptre 2019

Challenges

Enablers

Table 6. Enablers reported for Kahuzi-Biega National Park

Enablers Specific enablers Source Year(s)
1 Site management
2 Resources and capacity
3 Engaged community
4 Institutional support
5 Ecological context
6 Safety and stability

Enablers

Research activities

Documented behaviours

Table 7. Behaviours documented for Kahuzi-Biega National Park

Category Behavior Observation type Prevalence Observation dates Source Habituation Species Comment
Not reported

Behaviours

Exposure to climate change impacts

As part of a study on the exposure of African great ape sites to climate change impacts, Kiribou et al. (2024) extracted climate data and data on projected extreme climate impact events for the site. Climatological characteristics were derived from observation-based climate data provided by the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISIMIP, www.isimip.org). Parameters were calculated as the average across each 30-year period. For 1981-2010, the EWEMBI dataset from ISIMIP2a was used. For the two future periods (2021-2050 and 2071-2099) ISIMIP2b climate data based on four CMIP5 global climate models were used. For future projections, two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) were used. RCP 2.6 is a scenario with strong mitigation measures in which global temperatures would likely rise below 2C. RCP 6.0 is a scenario with medium emissions in which global temperatures would likely rise up to 3C by 2100. For the number of days with heavy precipitation events, the 98th percentile of all precipitation days (>1mm/d) was calculated for the 1979-2013 reference period as a threshold for a heavy precipitation event. Then, for each year, the number of days above that threshold was derived. The figures on temperature and precipitation anomaly show the deviation from the mean temperature and mean precipitation for the 1979-2013 reference period.

The estimated exposure to future extreme climate impact events (crop failure, drought, river flood, wildfire, tropical cyclone, and heatwave) is based on a published dataset by Lange et al. 2020 derived from ISIMIP2b data. The same global climate models and RCPs as described above were used. Within each 30-year period, the number of years with an extreme event and the average proportion of the site affected were calculated (Kiribou et al. 2024).

Table 8. Estimated past and projected climatological characteristics in Kahuzi-Biega National Park

Value 1981-2010 2021-2050, RCP 2.6 2021-2050, RCP 6.0 2071-2099, RCP 2.6 2071-2099, RCP 6.0
Mean temperature [C] 20.7 21.9 21.6 22 23.2
Annual precipitation [mm] 1788 1791 1836 1769 1854
Max no. consecutive dry days (per year) 11.8 33.8 30 39.7 31.4
No. days with heavy precipitation (per year) 7.3 7.1 7.2 6.7 10.7


Table 9. Projected exposure of apes to extreme climate impact events in Kahuzi-Biega National Park

Type No. of years with event (2021-2050, RCP 2.6) % of site exposed (2021-2050, RCP 2.6) No. of years with event (2021-2050, RCP 6.0) % of site exposed (2021-2050, RCP 6.0) No. of years with event (2070-2099, RCP 2.6) % of site exposed (2070-2099, RCP 2.6) No. of years with event (2070-2099, RCP 6.0) % of site exposed (2070-2099, RCP 6.0)
Crop failure 7 0.03 3.5 0.01 6 0.04 11 0.05
Drought 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Heatwave 0 0 0.5 16.67 0.5 16.67 5.5 35.42
River flood 4.25 1.62 6 2.59 5 0.75 11.25 1.4
Tropical cyclone 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Wildfire 30 0.79 30 0.76 29 0.85 29 0.73


  • Precipitation anomaly in Kahuzi-Biega National Park
  • Temperature anomaly in Kahuzi-Biega National Park

External links

UNESCO World Heritage - Kahuzi-Biega National Park

References

Maldonado, O., Aveling, C., Cox, D., Nixon, S., Nishuli, R., Merlo, D., Pintea, L. & Williamson, E.A. (2012). Grauer’s Gorillas and Chimpanzees in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (Kahuzi-Biega, Maiko, Tayna and Itombwe Landscape): Conservation Action Plan 2012–2022. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group, Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation & Tourism, Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature & the Jane Goodall Institute. 66pp. link

Murnyak, D. F. (1981). Censusing the gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Biological Conservation, 21(3), 163-176. doi:10.1016/0006-3207(81)90089-6

Plumptre, A. J., Nixon, S., Critchlow, R., Vieilledent, G., Nishuli, R., Kirkby, A., …, & Kujirakwinja, D. (2015). Status of Grauer's Gorilla and Chimpanzees in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: Historical and Current Distribution and Abundance. Wildlife Conservation Society. doi:10.19121/2015.report.dmx3094100000

Plumptre, A. J., Kirkby, A., Spira, C., Kivono, J., Mitamba, G., Ngoy, E., …, & Kujirakwinja, D. (2021). Changes in Grauer's gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri) and other primate populations in the Kahuzi‐Biega National Park and Oku Community Reserve, the heart of Grauer's gorilla global range. American Journal of Primatology, 83(7), e23288. doi:10.1002/ajp.23288

Spira, C., Kirkby, A., Kujirakwinja, D., & Plumptre, A. J. (2019). The socio-economics of artisanal mining and bushmeat hunting around protected areas: Kahuzi–Biega National Park and Itombwe Nature Reserve, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Oryx, 53(1), 136-144. doi:10.1017/s003060531600171x

Spira, C., Kirkby, A. E., & Plumptre, A. J. (2019). Understanding ranger motivation and job satisfaction to improve wildlife protection in Kahuzi–Biega National Park, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Oryx, 53(3), 460-468. doi:10.1017/s0030605318000856

Spira, C., Mitamba, G., Kirkby, A., Kalikunguba, T., Nishuli, R. and Plumptre,A. (2016) Grauer’s Gorilla Numbers Increasing in Kahuzi-Biega National Park Highlands: 2015 Census in Tshivanga Sector. Unpublished report by the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Yamagiwa, J., Mwanza, N., Spangenberg, A., Maruhashi, T., Yumoto, T., Fischer, A., & Steinhauer-Burkart, B. (1993). A census of the eastern lowland gorillas Gorilla gorilla graueri in Kahuzi-Biega National Park with reference to mountain gorillas G. g. beringei in the Virunga Region, Zaire. Biological Conservation, 64(1), 83-89. doi:10.1016/0006-3207(93)90386-f

Kiribou, R., Tehoda, P., Chukwu, O., Bempah, G., Kühl, H. S., Ferreira, J., …, & Heinicke, S. (2024). Exposure of African ape sites to climate change impacts. PLOS Climate, 3(2), e0000345. doi:10.1371/journal.pclm.0000345


Page created by: APES Atlas Team Date: 2023-11-23

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