How your donations help?

The IGCP appreciates all the donations it receives. Below are a few ways we are using your donations

1. US$30 pays a DRC park guard’s salary for one month - At least 100 park guards are needed to protect the forest habitat effectively in PNVi Mikeno sector, DRC. They patrol daily from 0600 until after 1830, to ensure that the gorillas, and other park wildlife, are protected .
2. US$200 buys a Global Positioning System (GPS) for a ranger - Rangers use GPS to monitor the park and enter geo-referenced data, using a satellite to provide a correct position in the forest. GPS enables rangers to record the exact whereabouts of the gorillas, and helps anti-poaching patrols to pinpoint the location of potential poachers and other threats.
3. US$150 buys full equipment for a ranger on patrol - This includes a raincoat, uniform, belt and hat, boots, rucksack, sleeping bag, and cooking equipment.
4. US$15,000 is the cost of building a ranger patrol post - These buildings not only house rangers patrolling the park boundaries, but also serve as community centres, allowing local villagers to meet park staff and discuss issues relevant to conservation.
5. US$7,000 pays for a Regional Meeting - Regional meetings bring together the park staff from all four parks, making possible the transboundary collaboration that is essential for the conservation of this shared forest habitat.
6. US$24,000 pays for the construction of a ‘buffalo wall’ - Crop raiding by buffalo and elephant that leave the forest and encroach on agricultural land is one of the greatest problems facing poor rural communities living around the parks. A farmer’s livelihood can be completely destroyed in a few hours, creating feelings of resentment towards the park and its wildlife. Building stone walls in key areas prevents many large mammals from leaving the park and helps safeguard people’s crops.