Virunga is a national park in the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Description, plants and animals. National parks of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: list

On the border with Uganda and Rwanda, in the eastern part of the Congo, is one of the World Heritage sites of UNESCO - Virunga. The National Park is the oldest in Africa. It stretches over an area of 7,800 square kilometers, next to the volcanic mountain group of the same name on the one side and the famous Lake Kivu on the other. The territory includes savannas and forests, marshes and plains, active volcanoes and ice-covered peaks of the Ruwenzori mountains, the cleanest lakes and a lava plateau. This house is for more than a quarter of the surviving specimens of mountain gorillas, an endangered species of giraffes - okapi and many other animals, birds and plants.

The territory of the park

Extensive lands occupy space from Lake Kivu to the Semilik River (middle course) in the western part of the border of the East African Rift Valley. The territory is stretched and conditionally divided into three sectors:

• Northern - with snow-capped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains, the ice of which is one of the main water sources feeding the Nile River; It is here along the valley of the river. Semipics can be met with okapi;
• The central sector includes Lake Edward and the Ishasha Plains, Rutshuru and Rwindi, this is the main center of the diversity of bird and animal species, including large populations of elephants, hippopotamus, etc .;
• The southern sector includes the lava plateaus of Nyiragongo and Nyamlagir volcanoes, which are active, as well as other mountain peaks of the Virunga chain; Most of the territory is covered with dense forests, which have become home to mountain gorillas and many other species of monkeys.

Facts from the history of the park

For the first time, with the pristine nature of the so well-known object today, such as Virunga (National Park at present), the German army captain O. Beringe encountered in 1902, who killed a very large gorilla during the next hunting near the summit of Mount Sabinio. Previously it was believed that they can not dwell here. Hunter suggested that this is a new species, so he sent the skeleton of the dead animal to scientists in Germany. Comparing the anatomy of the known primate species and the material sent from Africa, they found morphological differences in 34 points. A year later, the animal was described by the researcher Paul Machi, but in the next 20 years the work on the study of the new subspecies ceased. This is explained by the complex geopolitical situation and the uncertain status of this territory.

In 1921, an expedition headed by the American taxidermist, naturalist and sculptor Karl Aikli set off for the mountains. He received five stuffed animals for the museum, but the main result of all his work is not this. Observing the majestic gorillas, he studied many behavioral features, found that they live by stable family groups and in captivity they can simply perish without their relatives. He also determined that the number of them is not so great, therefore animals need to protect and preserve the natural habitat. It can be said that this initiated the establishment of a special status for such a natural territory as Virunga. The National Park was opened in 1925 and at that time bore the name of King Albert. Aikli defined his borders personally, including all the areas where the gorillas lived. Its final name was found in 1969, almost ten years after the independence of the Congo.

Kinds of animals in the reserve

The foundation of the park and its preservation is inextricably linked with mountain gorillas, since it is perhaps the main inhabitants, protected with special care and trepidation. They are on the brink of extinction. A great contribution to the cause was made by naturalist D. Fossey, who was killed in the park by poachers in 1985. Further actions to preserve the species helped to somewhat improve the situation, but a new military conflict in 2008 led to the seizure of the headquarters of the protected area. The future of gorillas was again under threat due to large-scale deforestation. Significant damage was done to the whole animal world in general. Protected natural areas, especially forests and savannahs, are a home for buffaloes and elephants, giraffes, chimpanzees, warthogs, antelopes, lions, leopards, etc. Congo is the only state in the whole world where okapi dwell (in the photo below) - a cloven-hoofed animal An animal from the giraffe family.

The number of okapi is not known exactly, as the animals are very secretive and fearful, but according to rough estimates it ranges from 10 to 20 thousand individuals. The history of the discovery of the species became almost the main zoological sensation of the 20th century. Okapi is a resident of the forests and feeds on foliage, so active cutting down trees deprives him not only at home, but also food. And not only these animals suffer from such human actions. For 45 years, the number of hippopotamuses decreased almost 30 times, buffalo - in 40, savannah elephants - at 10.

Birds and reptiles

More than 800 bird species nest on the expanses of the reserve, 25 of them absolute endemics and nowhere else in the world can they be found. Near the water and in the marshes you can see cormorants, drink, ibises, water-cutters, snakes, osprey, dainties, whalers, representatives of weavers. In the highlands there are such rare species as Rockfeller's nectar, large speckled hills, bananodes and Oberlander thrushes. Of the representatives of the Reptile class, most often there are pythons, vipers, Jameson mamba, black-eared cobra, Nile monitor and crocodile, which appeared again in the waters of the Semliki River not so long ago.

Inhabitants of rivers and lakes

Seemingly very large on the map, Lake Edward of all the Great African Waters is the smallest. The area of its water surface - about 2325 square kilometers, is located at an altitude of 920 meters. The maximum established depth is within 12 meters, but in reality it is 17 m on average. It is shallow, so it does not have a very wide variety of fish, mainly species from the family of Cichlids predominate. They have a large range of sizes - from 2.5 cm to 1 m - and body shapes. However, its main inhabitants are not fish, but hippopotamuses (photo above), leading a semi-aquatic life. Huge animals (weighing up to 4 tons) with restless disposition and a "bad" character, characterized by aggressiveness, are also on the verge of extinction. Almost half a century ago, their numbers declined by almost 95%, agree, a scary figure. Meat of an animal has long been used by local residents for food, and its fangs are valued more than tusks, therefore poaching is so common here.

Vegetable world

Flora of the reserve is very diverse. This is explained by the fact that Virunga is a national park that crosses several biogeographical zones. More than 2000 plant species grow on the territory. Foothills and valleys are the place of the domination of grasses, from low to tall, and in the first case Cereal, for example, the emperor is cylindrical. There are also single trees: gingerbread tree, adonsoon, baobabs, etc. Shrub savannas and woodlands mostly filled with acacias and combbrums, which are especially numerous near Lake Eduard. In the coastal zone, papyrus, common reed, and poultry are common . Gradually, savannas are replaced by dense and impenetrable rain forests, especially in the northern part, half of which is located above 1800-2300 m above sea level. Here grows a wild date palm, bamboo, and above 3000 m - a scallop, erica tree, a caruncle, etc.

Volcanoes of the park

The southern part of the park partially covers the lava plateau of the volcanic massif Virunga. It passes through the territory of three states, its height - 4.5 km. The mountain chain contains eight volcanoes, two of which are located in the Congo. The lava plateau was formed as a result of their active activity, after the appearance of a large volume of basaltic lava on the surface. The Nyamlagir volcano is considered to be the most active in the whole continent. Since the beginning of his observation, the eruption occurred 35 times. The lava plateau occupy an area of 1.5 thousand square meters. Km. The second active volcano is Nyiragongo (photo above), from 1882 on the surface of the lava erupted 34 times. The most active activity was recorded in 1977, and there were human victims.

Protection of gorillas

Many plants and animals in the Virunga Reserve are rare or generally endemic, but the focus is still on mountain gorillas, which are currently threatened with extinction. The situation is complicated by the constant armed conflicts in the region. Terrorists and poachers kill not only animals, but also huntsmen. So, in 2007, one day a whole family of gorillas from five individuals died. In recent years, the situation has improved somewhat, in large part thanks to the selfless work of the Rangers, who literally risk their lives for the sake of preserving this corner of nature. All this, of course, requires global capital investments. Part comes from the World Wildlife Fund, a certain proportion comes from the tourism industry and from the state itself. The park and private organizations actively help. The management is always ready to take any feasible help - from materials and food to financial transfers. All means go including building an electric fence, which allows to protect protected natural areas from invasion of poachers and other unwanted guests.

Protection of elephants

These large, strong and very intelligent animals, strangely enough, are very vulnerable. Forest elephants, along with mountain gorillas, can be called the main inhabitants of the Virunga park. Illicit turnover of ivory and tusks causes serious damage to the population of these animals. The park rangers turned to the whole world for help, they are ready to engage in poaching with poachers, but this requires weapons and uniforms, equipment. The life of every animal is important, a lot of money goes, including for the treatment of the wounded, crippled. Scientists have proven that animals are prone to post-traumatic stress disorder, similar to what happens in humans. In addition to treatment, elephants need rehabilitation, otherwise they become aggressive, emotionally unstable and harm the entire herd as a whole.

Track Dogs

Dogs of the Bloodhound breed are known for their excellent sense of smell and ability to squeeze a trail. The animal is able to determine the desired odor of five million others, which allows it to track people even in difficult terrain. The territory of the park is vast and at the same time very diverse in relief: mountains (Ruwenzori, Virunga), lava plateaus, plains and savannahs, swamps, lakes. It is important to accumulate all the reserves in order to preserve this unique corner of nature. The project for the breeding and use of dogs in Virunga Park for protection and as a bloodhound is headed by Dr. Marlene Zachner. In achieving the goals set, all means are good, so the teamwork of a team of people and bloodhounds is very effective and useful.

Other national parks of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

It should be noted that specially protected natural areas occupy 15% of the total area of the country, there are many of them, but only the most basic and extensive ones.

1. Garamba is a park in the north-east of the state, one of the oldest in Africa, the territory is 4480 sq. M. Km. In the north it is bounded by savannas and meadows with tall grasses, closer to the south they are replaced first by small forests, and then by gallery and tropical rain forests. On the territory of the park a few years ago there lived a unique species - the northern white rhinoceros. Now there are only three individuals of this species, they live in the Kenyan Reserve.
2. Upemba is a nature reserve located on the Kibarara plateau and has an area of 11.73 thousand square meters. Km. It was discovered in 1939, but to this day all the plants and animals that live in it have not been studied, and some, perhaps, are not even known to science. Flora has about 1800 species.
3. Kahuzi-Biega is a protected area in the south of the country. The virgin rain forests stretch at the very foot of two extinct volcanoes, which gave the name to this place. The area is 6 thousand square meters. Km. This is one of the last places where rare species of primates live - the eastern lowland gorilla, the population is only 250 individuals.

Virunga - national park, on the world map literally flashing red dot. Its position is so shaky and unstable that it threatens humanity with the loss of unique natural objects and hundreds of species of animals and birds.