Faune mammalienne, chasse et conflits humainsfaune en périphérie du Parc national de Kundelungu (R.D. Congo)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Mammals, Hunting and Human-Wildlife Conflicts in the Periphery of Kundelungu National Park, D.R. Congo Objectives: This study aimed at identifying mammals, characterizing hunting activities and analyzing human-wildlife conflicts on the periphery of Kundelungu National Park. Methodology and Results: Data were collected through direct observations and questionnaire surveys conducted with a sample of 120 respondents in four villages chosen on the basis of their proximity to both the Park and relatively intact ecosystems. Among the animals seen in the wild between one week and three months before the survey, respondents listed 24 species, mainly rodents and artiodactyls. Most of these species are hunted and are deemed to cause damages to crops. Conclusions and Application: A number of species listed by respondents indicate that the periphery of the Park has some characteristics of disturbed environments shared between wildlife and local people. The main lesson from this study (and possibly applicable to many other protected areas in Africa) is that achieving conservation goals will require not only the involvement of local people and collaborative actions in addressing human-wildlife conflicts, but also the characterization of agricultural activities and local strategies used to repel pest animals in the vicinities of protected areas. This will identify both occasional and potential hunters and hence accurately quantify human-driven threats on ecologically important zones that are not protected as strictly as required