Wildlife Groups Compete First Running of Chinko River
10/25/99
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RELAYED TEXT STARTS HERE:
Title: WILDLIFE GROUPS COMPLETE FIRST RUNNING OF CHINKO RIVER
Source: Rainforest Action Network
221 Pine Street #500
San Francisco, CA 94014
Telephone: 415/398-4404; fax: 415/398-2732 Website:
http://www.ran.org
Status: Copyright 1999, contact source for permission to reprint
Date: October 25, 1999
RAFAI, Central African Republic, October 24, 1999. A 12-member
multinational team including citizens of Central African Republic,
Canada, and the U.S.A. arrived today by raft and kayak into the
C.A.R. town of Rafai on the Chinko River, completing a 19 day
journey. The team, representing African Rainforest and River
Conservation (ARRC), Rainforest Action Network (RAN), and National
Geographic Society (NGS), is the first known expedition to
successfully navigate the 475 km (280 miles) of the upper Chinko.
Prior to the 1980s, the Chinko River basin was home to vast numbers
of wildlife. Since that time, the area has been plagued by extensive
hunting of ivory and meat by well-armed poachers, primarily from
neighboring Sudan.
The purpose of the river trip was to assess the status of wildlife
populations and determine the potential for restoration of the
classic savanna woodlands and rainforests in the basin.
Upon arriving in Rafai, the group declared the river mission a
success. "We showed two things which we hope can be of great benefit
to both the C.A.R. economy and its natural wonders," said ARRC leader
Bruce Hayse. "First, if rampant poaching can be controlled, we found
the wildlife levels, although greatly diminished, to be high enough
to restore the area as a wildlife wonderland as fine as any in Kenya
or Tanzania. Second, we proved that the Chinko can be safely
floated, offering good campsites and beautiful forest vistas. An
anti-poaching force would be a good investment for promoting a safari
and eco-tourism industry. The Chinko River basin offers a unique
opportunity to revitalize one of the great wildlife areas of the
world."
Some of the wildlife species which could be restored to their former
numbers by controlled poaching include elephant, giant eland, kob,
lion, leopard, giraffe, forest buffalo, crocodile, hippo and
chimpanzee. ARRC and RAN plan to further the dialogue with C.A.R.
officials and other conservation organizations, to help bring
international attention to the plight and promise of the Chinko.
Participants:
>From C.A.R.: Kolaga Thomas
Guide de Chasses Centrafricain
Bria, C.A.R.
Corporal Chief Yakoro Raymond
Presidential Guard (FORSDIR)
Bangui, C.A.R.
>From ARRC: Bruce Hayse, M.D.
Christian Guier, M.D.
Rick Sievers
Louise Lasley
>From RAN: Randy Hayes, President
Mike Roselle
Hank Morgenstern
>From NGS: Michael Finkel, writer
Chris Anderson, photographer
Unaffiliated: Brian Whitlock
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
ARRC c/o Louise Lasley at: bhayse@blissnet.com RAN c/o Mark
Westlund at : ranmedia@ran.org