Where do these field notes come from?
The very center of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo: there is a bend in the Congo River, first it flows north then it flows west. That elbow turns the Congo into an embrace of the least known and least frequented forest, the forest heart of Africa.
Why do we call the project “TL2″?
We call this 65,000km² (about 25,000 sq mi) of forest TL2 because of its three major rivers: Tshuapa on the west, Lomami through the center and Lualaba (or southern Congo River) on its far east.
Amazingly undisturbed forest between the arms of the three rivers.
Who writes these field notes?
The team members of the TL2 project. They send me (Terese) trip reports and they send photos; sometimes a team leader or the scientific director (John) comes to Kinshasa with reports; more often they send updates over very slow internet connection from Kindu or Kisangani. And happily, sometimes I get to debrief them in person, on site.
What is the TL2 project?
It is a group of people with a mission to find out how many bonobos are where in the central unknown forests of Congo between the three north flowing rivers. The mission also is to find out what other large animals are in this forest, what threatens them and is it possible to protect them?
Why the TL2 project ?
The core of our team has been working for conservation in Congo for years, some of us more than 25 years. We worked in parks in the west and in the east and always we wondered “Why isn’t there any park in the middle?” Now that we have completed phase one, a park in the middle is our goal.
Phase One
We studied maps, scoured old documents and searched out regional censuses. We found almost no human population in the TL2 forest and very little written history, but although the evidence was lacking, we suspected lots of animals.
No one knew for sure if the bonobo, Congo’s own great ape, was in the TL2, but maybe. And the okapi, Congo’s own forest giraffe: it is to the east and to the west, so why not in the middle? But no one knew.
Because of this complete lack of information it is not surprising that after two years combing the forests of TL2 we did much more than answer our questions: yes, there are bonobo and okapi in the TL2 forests. We also found that there is a critical remaining population of forest elephant in the center of TL2. The Congo Peacock is present. And there is even a new species of monkey, previously unknown, and other varieties of monkeys that were completely unexpected. We will not be surprised if we, or others, find new species of plants, of small mammals, of amphibians that have been living peacefully-unknown in the forests, along the rivers or in the strange island savannas of TL2. And, of course, we will report it here.
Phase Two
We now know the importance of these remote forests between the three rivers, and we know the danger : Hunting could essentially empty the forests of bonobo, elephant, okapi, monkeys and antelope. The specter of empty forests is only a few years around the corner, and already its chill is felt. Forests near villages no longer have game. Bushmeat is abundant in the city markets, but village children are suffering from protein deficiency. Yes, the forest villagers see the problem and they are our main supporters for this necessary follow-up to the discoveries of phase one. Forest conservation has to come to TL2. We will keep you updated on our progress here.
How many are we?
When we are all teams in the field there are at least fifty of us. Sometimes we reduce down to just our core group with minimal field assistance, but that is never for long. The bouts out of the field for data entry, analysis and planning the next step are essential, but the next step always seems urgent and, so far, we have always been able to take that next step.
How much do we cost?
Costs are increasing as we move into Phase 2.
- we maintain two field camps to keep a conservation presence on the ground;
- we work with three administrations from three different provinces, Orientale, Maniema and Kasai Oriental– that means travel, talks, brochures, meetings…;
- we have continuous bushmeat monitoring at all major transit points into the big markets of Kindu and Kisangani;
- we support continuing studies of the mysterious monkeys and other wildlife;
And we must prepare information, contacts and finances so that soon
- we collaborate with villagers and the national parks institute to delineate a new protected area in TL2.
When did we start? When will we end this project?
We started fieldwork in 2007 when Arcus Foundation and Abraham Foundation sponsored the exploration. The US Fish and Wildlife Service joined and we had enough backing to plan for two years. We now have enough interest to continue for a third year. Our hope is that there will be a new national park in TL2 that has infrastructure, staff and finances to continue for many years. We believe this will happen in the foreseeable future only if we keep our boots in TL2. Join us!
The first mission south, up the Lomami :
Our first sightings of bonobo, quickly showed how important the area was.
The further south we went, the rarer and more isolated the villages became.
The TL2 teams in the far north :
Although the people were wonderful it was clear that the north of TL2 had been hunted out.
Reaching the western border :
Even if they are scattered, the local people who claim the land must agree to conservation and conservation poorly thought out and poorly presented can turn locals against all conservation measures.
Recognizing the challenges :
Ashley’s first encounter with the lawless maimai colonel who later was arrested introduced him and the project to the challenges of TL2. We had not gone far before we realized that the hunting of bonobo for bushmeat was also a real problem. The problems are compounded by the greed of outsiders and the availability of weapons of war used for bushmeat hunting.
Doing something about them :
We contacted top administrators in Kisangani, Opala, Kindu and Mbuji Mayi. Slowly progress has been made. But it is clear that the pressure must be maintained. Outside challenges still exist and internal support for conservation has not been assured. Join us as we work towards a goal of protected area with true protection for bonobo, okapi, all primates, and elephant in the TL2 forest.
