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GIC NewsChimp Rescued in the Congo The okapi is the flagship for conservation in the DR Congo as an enigmatic and unique species of wildlife dwelling in the Central African rainforest. By helping protect the okapi and their habitat in the Ituri Forest, many other species benefit from White Oak’s conservation work with the Okapi Conservation Project, including elephants, antelope, birds, and chimpanzees.
The very young chimp was placed in the care of Okapi Project Director Rosmarie Ruf, who has considerable experience caring for young chimpanzees during her long tenure working in Central Africa. Chimpanzees normally live their young lives surrounded by their family members, and despite Rosie’s quality care, this young chimp needs the companionship and social nurturing found only with other chimps. The chimpanzee center came to the rescue of this name chimp, when they
Read a recent interview with John Lukas, General Director of White Oak, about efforts the work being done to save the okapi on mongabay.com. August, 2009 White Oak Conservation Center Newsletter The latest edition of Karatasi, White Oak Conservation Center's bi-annual newsletter, is available for download. Click here to view the newsletter.
WOCC Vet Tech Travels to Kenya
Senior Research Veterinary Technician Marcie Oliva recently traveled to Kenya as part of an ongoing exchange with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). The exchange program is a collaboration that started in 2006, when a KWS veterinary technician traveled to White Oak to learn methods for banking samples and managing a pharmacy. Since then, WOCC and KWS technicians alternate years, traveling to the other’s facility to provide training for the KWS technicians. This year, Marcie’s trip was focused on avian hematology. Twenty people participated in the training, confirming the enthusiasm that the KWS technicians have for improving their skills and providing the best care possible for wildlife. While visiting, Marcie had the opportunity to take part in a field project, assessing the health of lesser flamingos in Lake Nakuru National Park. Elsie Wambui, a KWS technician who has participated in the exchange from the beginning, Marcie, project coordinator Dr. Tom Manyibe, and two ornithologists from the University of Nairobi, spent the next days capturing birds, collecting samples, and performing hematology. You can read a full account of Marcie’s trip in the upcoming edition of White Oak’s newsletter, Karatasi. More information on training programs, such as this one, is available by clicking here.
Congo President Visits Okapi Wildlife Reserve In March Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila visited the Okapi Wildlife Reserve headquarters in Epulu (below right, Kabila with OCP Project Director Rosie Ruf). During the visit President Kabila
Sumatran Rhino News With less than 200 animals left in Malaysia and Indonesia, the Sumatran rhino is one of the rarest large mammals in the world. White Oak Conservation Center/GIC supports conservation efforts for Sumatran and Javan rhinos in Indonesia through the International Rhino Foundation (IRF). In November 2008 White Oak Conservation Center (WOCC) received a two year old male Sumatran rhino born at the Cincinnati Zoo. As part of our growing commitment to rhino conservation, WOCC now participates with the Global Propagation Management Board (GPMB) for Sumatran rhinos. Representing White Oak, Director of Conservation Steve Shurter recently attended the 2009 GMPB meeting held in Bogor, Indonesia, organized by the Indonesian Rhino Foundation.
Working with SRS managers, vets and keepers, and IRF personnel, a review of the Sumatran rhino breeding program was conducted during the visit to help identify efficiencies and improve the program’s success. The Indonesian Rhino Conservation Foundation operates the SRS with support from the International Rhino Foundation, including funding from White Oak/GIC. A team of White Oak Conservation Center staff members traveled to the GIC Okapi Project in the Ituri Forest of the DR Congo this month. Their goal is to conduct a health assessment for the managed okapi found at the project headquarters located in Epulu. The team consists of White Oak Staff Veterinarian Scott Citino, Research Coordinator Linda Penfold, and Scotty Wade, Hoofed Stock Supervisor.
The project involves anesthetizing thirteen captive okapi and conducting thorough health examinations, as well as providing treatments such as hoof trims or medications against parasites. An important aspect of this work is to collect biological samples to further assess the health of the captive okapi in Epulu, and serve as an important database of information about the species.
This project was funded in part by a grant from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Conservation Endowment Fund and by Gilman International Conservation. White Oak Conservation Center Newsletter The latest edition of Karatasi, White Oak Conservation Center's bi-annual newsletter, is available for download. Click here to view the newsletter.
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Earlier this year, a young female chimpanzee was confiscated by Institute in Congo for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN) rangers who apprehended a chimp poacher. Unfortunately this is not a first time occurrence as chimps are hunted throughout their range in the Congo, resulting in this horrible trade in orphans. Hunters are often indiscriminate and will kill adult chimpanzees (for bushmeat) and capture and sell the young chimpanzees for the pet trade.
agreed to accept her into their orphanage located in Lubumbashi in southeastern DR Congo. Rosmarie organized for the transport which was provided by Mission Aviation Fellowship planes, and the chimp arrived at the Center and has been introduced to her new family. This chimpanzee was lucky to have been found and placed in good hands in a good home, but so many are not. Thanks to dedicated staff, GIC is working with ICCN to reduce the illegal hunting and protect the wildlife of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve. 
met with Institute in Congo for the Conservation of Nature and Okapi Conservation Project staff and visited the okapi at the Epulu Station. The visit generated much excitement in the nearby village and along the entire route of his tour. The GIC Okapi Conservation Project was pleased for the opportunity to discuss the Okapi Wildlife Reserve and the importance of okapi conservation with the president.
The trip included a stay at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary (SRS) located in Way Kambas National Park on Sumatra. The 100 hectare facility was constructed as a breeding sanctuary for Sumatran rhinos (currently 5 rhinos) and is situated in the lowland forest of southeastern Sumatra, which protects an abundance of wildlife and a population of wild Sumatran rhinos. 
