IGCP has been working with Virunga National Park officials and government authorities since its current incarnation was founded in 1991. IGCP’s DRC program benefits from work in our four main programmatic areas: Strengthening the protection of mountain gorillas and their habitat through transboundary collaboration, establishing a strong information base to understand the dynamics between human populations and wildlife, working with local communities to create livelihood opportunities that are complementary and contribute to conservation, and advocating and strengthening supportive policy and legislation for conservation. In the Virunga region, we promote conservation enterprise, capacity building for Park management, support for ranger-based monitoring, and emergency support, with rapid response to threats to both gorilla and human communities.

The community helps to build a wall to protect against buffaloes in Kibumba

IGCP is a collaborative effort of three respected international conservation organizations – African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), Fauna and Flora International (FFI) and Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF). Our solid funding and knowledge base stems from these partners, and we continue to broaden our DRC program while strengthening its projects in the area and building the capacity of all stakeholders for more effectiveness in conservation of the gorillas and their habitat. Our long-term Virunga base and consistent support for those protecting the gorillas and aiding neighboring communities gives us the momentum for continuing to effect positive change in the area in 2008-2009 and beyond.

Beekeepers are trained in honey-harvesting methods

For more information on IGCP, please visit our website at www.igcp.org

Honey is then sold by the local communities

Rangers on patrol in the Mikeno Sector

Humba the Silverback