IDPE
Liz's Notes History Support Activities Future Needs
I first heard of IDPE when I got to Goma, March 2006. I went there to help look after four confiscated chimps, find a new head office in Bukavu and establish Lwiro as a chimp sanctuary. I was working closely with the vet of the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, Eddy Kambale when he heard about two chimps being held for sale at a market. IDPE had contacted him as they originally though them to be gorillas. The traders had covered the chimps in motor oil to pass them off as gorillas as they fetch a higher price. A meeting with the head of IDPE, Mr Bantu Lukambo, revealed that there are about 100 chimps and gorillas illegally being held in the town of Goma. IDPE has volunteers who can find them, but there is no place to send them.
As we sat in the shoebox of the IDPE offices, walls covered in various disturbing photos of what is happening to animals in Goma and the Virunga National Park, Bantu explained what IDPE is all about. He is a quiet guy with a soft voice, but as he told us about their various projects, I could see the pain reflected in his face. One story he told was about how a cow was practically 'folded' in half in order to make space on the back of a truck for other consumables. Her head was bent towards her back legs by pulling on a nose ring. The ring and the force had lacerated her nose and Bantu's eyes were straining to tell the story.
Then I had the idea to ask him if his organisation was able to furnish me with a photographic record of all the illegally kept wild animals in Goma, so that we could do fundraising to get them out of there and to the new sanctuary in Bukavu. Also, as IDPE does not have a website, in return, I offered to host them on the AWARE site in order to raise funds for them. IDPE has the same basic philosophy as AWARE - a small group of people doing their part to make a difference in a tough world.
IDPE was conceived in 1998. It gained legal status as a non-profit organisation in DRC in 2002. Most of its' members grew up in the Virunga National Park (VNP) and are the children of the village chiefs that agreed to create and protect the park. Since the beginning of the rebellion in DRC, poaching and the illegal trade in bush meat has increased. The problem is not easy to solve because the perpetrators are armed militia, military authorities as well as influential members of political bodies.
Mr. BANTU LUKAMBO: General Manager
Mr. FAUSTIN NYEBONNE: In charge of fauna and flora
Mr. KARTASI PASCAL: Administrative and financial director
Mr. Mr JOHN LUMOO: In charge of investigations
Miss. KAMETIYANGWE JEANNE: Treasurer
All of IDPE's members are unpaid volunteers. Their monthly operation costs are U$294 (office rent, communication, electricity, investigative costs, photo developing etc). This cost is covered by donations from members. WSPA donated a computer, printer and generator for their office.
IDPE's activities consist of lobbying for the various rights of animals, both wild and domestic, in Goma town and VNP and surrounding villages.
Goma
- Lobbying and sensitisation for dogs and cats in town. Superstitious belief that a barking dog and a black cat are indications that a witch is near (Bobolia is their name for Black Magic and Witchcraft). Street gangs will stone the dogs if they find them in the town.
- When stray puppies are found in the town, they are taken to the village of Vichunga where they are rehomed.
- Lobbying for the rights of farmed animals .
- Lobbying against and sensitisation of illegal detention of wild animals in town.
Virunga National Park and surrounding villages
- Lobbying against illegal poaching and bush meat trade in VNP.
- Community education and involvement in encouraging pelicans to return to Lake Edward, after becoming fearful of humans due to poaching .
- Encouragement of the communities surrounding the VNP with projects like vegetable gardens , rabbit farming and bee keeping.
IDPE is continuing its' fight for the rights of animals in the DRC. Their future hopes are for the passing of national laws to protect animal rights. Also, they wish to increase the frequency of education campaigns, workshops, seminars, newsletters and radio broadcasts, thereby reaching more people to create a change.
Their wishlist is humble considering the tasks they are faced with:
- bigger office
- 2 tables, 4 chairs, 2 shelves
- 1 laptop
- salaries for staff
IDPE does not have a banking account at present and AWARE has agreed to raise funds on their behalf. Please decide to be a small part of the solution and give kindly to IDPE.
Yes, I would like to be a part of the solution
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