View source for Okapi Wildlife Reserve

{{short description|World Heritage Site}}
{{Infobox Protected area
| name = Okapi Wildlife Reserve
| iucn_category = II
| photo = Epulu Okapi Reserve.jpg
| photo_caption = [[Epulu River]] in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve
| location = [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]
| nearest_city = [[Isiro]]
| embedded1 = 
  {{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site
  |child = yes
  |Criteria = Natural: x
  |ID = 718
  |Year = 1996
  |Danger = 1997 -
  }}
| map = Democratic Republic of the Congo
| relief = 1
| coordinates = {{coord|02|00|00|N|28|30|00|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| area_km2 = 13726.25
| area_ref = <ref>INSTITUT CONGOLAIS POUR LA CONSERVATION DE LA NATURE. [http://www.iccnrdc.cd/okapi.htm Okapi] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050118123924/http://www.iccnrdc.cd/okapi.htm |date=2005-01-18 }}</ref>
| established = 1992<ref>[http://www.wcmc.org.uk/protected_areas/data/wh/okapi.htm Okapi] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970710093031/http://www.wcmc.org.uk/protected_areas/data/wh/okapi.htm |date=1997-07-10 }}</ref>
| visitation_num = 
| visitation_year = 
| governing_body = [https://web.archive.org/web/20060504212701/http://www.iccnrdc.cd/index.htm l'Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN)]
}}
The '''Okapi Wildlife Reserve''' ({{Langx|fr|Réserve de faune à okapis}}) is a wildlife reserve in the [[Ituri Forest]] in the north-east of the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], near the borders with [[South Sudan]] and [[Uganda]].<ref>{{cite news|title=21 World Heritage Sites you have probably never heard of|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=4 February 2016|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/10999939/21-World-Heritage-Sites-you-have-probably-never-heard-of.html|publisher=Daily Telegraph}}</ref> At approximately 14,000&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, it covers approximately one-fifth of the area of the forest. In 1996, the Okapi Wildlife Reserve was designated a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]], due to its large population of endangered [[okapi]]s and its high overall biodiversity.<ref name = "unesco">{{cite web |url = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/718 |title = Okapi Wildlife Refuge |website = UNESCO World Heritage Centre |publisher = United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization |access-date = 13 June 2021}}</ref>

==Ecology==
The wildlife reserve makes up roughly one-fifth of the total area of the [[Ituri Forest]]. As a [[Pleistocene]] [[Refugium (population biology)|refugium]], the forest contains dense evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, dominated by ''Mbau'' trees (''[[Gilbertiodendron dewevrei]]'').<ref name = "unesco" /> The [[Nepoko River|Nepoko]], [[Ituri River|Ituri]], and [[Epulu River|Epulu]] rivers flow through the reserve, surrounded by swamp forests.<ref name = "unesco"/> Granite outcrops in the north of the reserve protect critical habitat for ''[[Encephalartos ituriensis]]'', a threatened species of [[cycad]].<ref name = "unesco"/>

Because of its relatively stable climate during the repeated [[ice ages]], the wildlife reserve, and the Ituri Forest as a whole, protects a unique biological community. As its name implies, the Okapi Wildlife Reserve is home to many [[okapi]]s. As of 1996, the number was estimated at 3900&ndash;6350, out of a global population of around 10,000&ndash;20,000.<ref name = "unesco"/> In 1996, there were roughly 7,500 [[African forest elephant|elephants]] and 7,500 [[chimpanzee]]s within the reserve,<ref name = "unesco"/> although those numbers have likely declined significantly in recent years due to poaching and political instability.<ref name="SomersBeyers2011">{{cite journal|last1=Somers|first1=Michael|last2=Beyers|first2=Rene L.|last3=Hart|first3=John A.|last4=Sinclair|first4=Anthony R. E.|last5=Grossmann|first5=Falk|last6=Klinkenberg|first6=Brian|last7=Dino|first7=Simeon|title=Resource Wars and Conflict Ivory: The Impact of Civil Conflict on Elephants in the Democratic Republic of Congo - The Case of the Okapi Reserve|journal=PLOS ONE|volume=6|issue=11|year=2011|article-number=e27129|issn=1932-6203|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0027129|pmid=22096529|pmc=3212536|bibcode=2011PLoSO...627129B|doi-access=free}}</ref>

Other mammals identified within the reserve include the [[leopard]], [[forest buffalo]], [[water chevrotain]], [[bongo (animal)|bongo]], [[Bates's pygmy antelope]], and [[giant forest hog]].<ref name = "unesco" /> The Ituri Forest is home to 17 primate species, the most of any African forest.<ref name = "unesco"/>

The reserve has over 370 species of bird, and is one of the most important sites for bird conservation in mainland Africa.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.guideforafrica.com/congo-drc/okapi-wildlife-reserve.html
 |title=Okapi Wildlife Reserve
 |work=Guide for Africa
 |access-date=2011-10-25}}</ref> Many of the bird species found in the reserve are [[endemic]] to the Congo Basin, including the endangered [[Congo peafowl]].<ref name = "unesco"/>

The imposing [[Mbiya Mountain]] overlooks the [[Epulu]] village, and nomadic [[Mbuti]] pygmies and [[Bantu peoples|Bantu]] farmers also live within the reserve.

==History==
The Okapi Wildlife Reserve was created with the help of the [[Okapi Conservation Project]] in 1992. The project continues to support the reserve by training and equipping wildlife guards and by providing assistance to improve the lives of neighboring communities.<ref>{{cite web
 |url = http://wildlifeconservationnetwork.org/wildlife/okapi2.html#conservationist
 |title = Okapi Conservation Project 
 |publisher = Wildlife Conservation Network}}</ref> The Okapi Wildlife Reserve was added to the list of World Heritage Sites in danger in 1997. Threats include the [[deforestation]] caused by [[slash and burn]] agriculture, and commercial hunting for the sale of [[bushmeat]]. [[Gold mining]] has also been problematic. As of 2005, the fighting in the eastern part of the country entered the reserve, causing its staff to flee or be evacuated.  Lack of funding due to the poor political and economic conditions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has also been problematic. It is hoped that [[eco-tourism]] to the area can be developed, leading to both increased funding and improved public awareness.

==Conservation==
The wildlife reserve is home to the Epulu Conservation and Research Center on the [[Epulu River]]. This facility dates back to 1928 when the camp was founded by American [[anthropologist]] [[Patrick Putnam]] as a capture station, where wild okapis were captured before being sent to American and European [[zoo]]s. Until 2012 it remained a capture station, though it no longer exports okapis. In 2012 a rebel attack killed the facility's captive okapis. Consequently, it chose to prioritize focus exclusively on preserving the wild okapis in the reserve, pending the cessation of hostilities.<ref name=MBay9Sept/> The center conducts much important research and conservation work.

==Gold mining==
As of 2015 there was a gold [[artisanal mining]] camp at Muchacha within the reserve employing about 8,000 people. The mine was run by a loosely organized rebel faction, [[Mai-Mai]] Simba, who aimed to liberate the local population from the reserve's land use restrictions. The warden of the reserve, Colonel Lucien Gedeon Lokumu announced operation {{lang|sw|Safisha}} to clear the reserve of rebel forces and mining operations.<ref>{{cite web | last=Stokes | first=Elaisha | title=Saving Okapi in the Democratic Republic of Congo | website=Al Jazeera America | date=2015-02-23 | url=https://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/2/23/The-struggle-to-save-the-Congolese-unicorn.html | access-date=2022-10-29}}</ref>

A June 2021 report from the United Nations Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo raised concerns about the presence of semi-industrialized [[dredging]] operations within the reserve, operating 12 kilometers south of Bandegaido. Mining took place within the Muchacha Ming Complex (MMC) which held a permit from the official DRC Mining Cadastre, held by the Chinese businessman Kong Maohuai's MCC Resources. The company Kimia Mining Investment Sarl was operating at the mine.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-10 |title=Chinese gold mining threatens a protected UN heritage site in Congo |url=https://apnews.com/article/congo-world-heritage-site-gold-mining-china-5e9499fd939c3c2d798a6165f3fc487b |access-date=2024-12-10 |website=[[Associated Press]] |language=en}}</ref> Mining is illegal in the reserve, and [[Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo|FARDC]] troops were guarding the mining site illegally.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.undocs.org/en/S/2021/560|title=S/2021/560|publisher=United Nations Security Council|date=2021-06-10|access-date=2022-10-27|author=Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo}}</ref>

Later that month, Congolese authorities announced the seizure of 31&nbsp;kg of gold (about $1.9 million) from this Muchaha mine.<ref>{{cite web | last=Holland | first=Hereward | title=Congo seizes gold worth $1.9 million in Okapi wildlife reserve | website=Reuters | date=2021-06-22 | url=https://www.reuters.com/world/congo-seizes-gold-worth-19-million-okapi-wildlife-reserve-2021-06-22/ | access-date=2022-10-28}}</ref> As of 2022, non-governmental organizations such as the Council for Environmental Defense through Legality and Traceability (CODELT) and Alerte Congolaise pour l'Environnement et les Droits de l'Homme (ACEDH) blame mining operations for destroying pristine rainforest within the reserve.<ref>{{cite web | last=Kambale | first=Erikas Mwisi | title=Congolese NGOs decry mining in main refuge of 'Africa's unicorn' | website=Reuters | date=2022-10-19 | url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/congolese-ngos-decry-mining-main-refuge-africas-unicorn-2022-10-18/ | access-date=2022-10-28}}</ref>

==Rebel attacks==
[[File:Okapi-Wald1.png|thumb|[[Okapi]]]]
On 24 June 2012, the Epulu Conservation and Research Center was attacked, looted and burned by a group of [[Mai-Mai]] rebels, led by [[Paul Sadala]] (AKA Morgan) consisting of [[African forest elephant|elephant]] poachers and illegal miners.<ref name=MBay9Sept/><ref name=attack>Okapi Conservation Project (28 June 2012).''[http://www.okapiconservation.org/news/okapi-conservation-project-epulu-update-june-28-2012/ Okapi Conservation Project, Epulu Update – June 28, 2012] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904160518/http://www.okapiconservation.org/news/okapi-conservation-project-epulu-update-june-28-2012/ |date=September 4, 2012 }}.'' Retrieved 15 September 2012</ref> During the attack, 13 of 14 okapis at the center were killed immediately, the last later dying of its injuries. Six people, including two wildlife rangers, were also killed.<ref name=attack/> Many locals, including children, were abducted, but all were released later.<ref name=MBay9Sept>Mongobay (9 September 2013).''[https://news.mongabay.com/2013/09/a-year-after-devastating-attack-security-returns-to-the-okapi-wildlife-reserve-photos/ A year after devastating attack, security returns to the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (photos)].'' Retrieved 16 July 2017.</ref> In early August, the security situation had improved due to [[Military of the Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congolese army]] troops and guards from the [[Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature|Congolese Wildlife Authority]], and preparations for repairs of the center had begun.<ref>Okapi Conservation Project (4 August 2012).''[http://www.okapiconservation.org/uncategorized/okapi-conservation-project-update-august-4-2012/ Okapi Conservation Project, Update – August 4, 2012] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131222001544/http://www.okapiconservation.org/uncategorized/okapi-conservation-project-update-august-4-2012/ |date=December 22, 2013 }}.'' Retrieved 15 September 2012</ref> Using donations from around the world, it was rebuilt one year after the attack.<ref name=MBay9Sept/>

On 14 July 2017, there was an attack in the section of the reserve near [[Mambasa]], likely by Mai-Mai rebels. Foreign journalists (two British and an American) and several park rangers escaped unharmed, but five local reserve employees (four wardens and a tracker) were killed.<ref>New York Times (16 July 2017).''[https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2017/07/16/world/africa/ap-af-congo-attacks.html U.S. journalist found alive in Congo, 5 others are killed].'' Retrieved 16 July 2017.</ref><ref name=FR24>France24 (16 July 2017).''[http://www.france24.com/en/2017,07,16-kidnapped-us-journalist-dr-congo-okapi Kidnapped US journalist in DR Congo found safe, five wardens killed] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716155619/http://www.france24.com/en/20170716-kidnapped-us-journalist-dr-congo-okapi |date=2017-07-16 }}.'' Retrieved 16 July 2017.</ref> Several attackers were also killed.<ref name=FR24/>

==See also==
*[[Centre National d'Appui au Développement et à la Participation populaire]]
*[[Corneille Ewango]]
*[[Okapi Conservation Project]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

===Further reading===

*Susan Lyndaker Lindsey; Mary Neel Green; Cynthia L. Bennett (1999). ''The Okapi''. University of Texas Press. {{ISBN|0-292-74707-1}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050118123924/http://www.iccnrdc.cd/okapi.htm Government website: l'Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN)]
* [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/718 UNESCO Okapi Wildlife Reserve Site]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/19970710093031/http://www.wcmc.org.uk/protected_areas/data/wh/okapi.htm UNEP-WCMC world Heritage site datasheet]
* [https://www.wildlifedirect.org Blogs from the Rangers of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070719130031/http://www.giconline.org/okapireserve.htm Gilman International Conservation]
{{National Parks of the Democratic Republic of Congo}}
{{World Heritage Sites in the Democratic Republic of the Congo}}

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[[Category:World Heritage Sites in the Democratic Republic of the Congo]]
[[Category:Protected areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1992]]
[[Category:Faunal reserves]]
[[Category:1992 establishments in Zaire]]
[[Category:Northeastern Congolian lowland forests]]