Shock Patrols Discover Missing Mountain Gorilla Groups in Volcanoes National Park | International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP)International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP)

Susa and Isimba gorilla groups that had gone out of daily monitoring for 3 weeks and 3 months respectively were recently discovered by the shock patrol teams in Volcanoes National Park.  Shock patrols are intensive patrols that comprise of a bigger ranger team that covers a wider area, compared to the usual area covered during regular patrols.  “Apart from finding missing gorilla groups, shock patrols cover the patrol gaps that we have. They help us to arrest illegal activities within the protected area”. says Damascene Hakizimana, Monitoring and Research Warden at Volcanoes National Park. 

As a result of the recent shock patrols, 68 active snares were found and destroyed while fresh poacher trails were tracked to verify their origin. Shock patrols address the challenge of understaffing that law enforcement patrols usually face and break the patrol routine that poachers are used to. A shock patrol team comprises of 22 members while the usual patrol teams comprise of 4 people. Shock patrol teams spend at least 10 hours in the park while the regular patrols spend 5-6 hours in the park.

“We request for IGCP’s support to conduct routine shock patrols especially in the red zones of Butaka and Kampande,” adds the Warden. Damascene is optimistic that if more shock patrols are conducted, they will help the park to zero down on poaching hotspots and arrest the poachers. IGCP supported the two shock patrols with refreshment including water, juice, sardines and biscuits.