Foreword
The Greater Virunga transboundary Collaboration (GVTC) presents to you yet another edition of the series of Annual conservation Status reports. The GVTC state parties and their partners, through the ACSR series wish to continuously, on an annual basis, bring to its stakeholders and other interested parties, the success stories of their combined efforts and their results to improved conservation and tourism development in the Greater Virunga landscape (GVL).
Recalling that the Greater Virunga Landscape (GVL) is the most diverse fragile eco-region of Africa with endangered wildlife and fauna such as the mountain gorilla, elephants, and chimpanzee as well as birds and plants, we wish to bring to you, in this 2017 ACSR edition the collective effort of the state and non-state parties in conserving flagship species as a catalyst for improved protected area management and inclusive growth in the GVL.
The theme of the third ACSR 2017 edition "Conserving Flagship Species in Greater Virunga Landscape" has been carefully chosen to particularly point out the critical role played by the Protected Area law enforcement patrol men and women and communities in fighting poaching and wildlife crime. These unsung heroes have been brought to the forefront to demonstrate their great contribution to GVL improved conservation and tourism development. Recounting the hilly, rugged and forested terrain of GVL, if you position yourself moving with the law enforcement teams, then the patrol coverage and the frequency with which they have come back to the same square kilometer per month would show their high commitment to conservation.
Keeping the partners working together and publishing their success conservation results is the core responsibility of the Greater Virunga transboundary Executive Secretariat (GVTC-ES). GVTC-ES wishes to commit itself to its renewed commitment in ensuring that this 2017 ACSR will stimulate you to join the fraternity of partners committed to the improved conservation and tourism development in GVL
It is with greater pleasure that I present to you this publication, which show cases the importance that GVTC state parties and their partners attach to fighting poaching and wildlife crime
Dr. Andrew Seguya
The Executive Secretary
