CASE STUDY 10
Congolese Case Study
The Congolese case study focuses on the link between land use changes, biodiversity changes and pathogen surveillance. Wildlife groups (e.g. rodents, bats, shrews, pangolins, antelopes), livestock (e.g. pig, goat, dog) and vectors (mosquitoes, ticks, flees or helminths) are responsible of various zoonotic diseases. In the Kisangani region, bushmeat is the principal animal protein of human consumption, and for this reason, we sample mammalian and environment pathogens towards surveillance and predict or prevent future outbreaks.
RESTORATION &
INTERVENTION MEASURES
Nature restoration
Reforestations
Rewilding
hawk
Public health interventions
No
ENVIRONMENTAL
SAMPLES
Reservoirs
rat
bat
monkey
pangolin
Vectors
mosquito
tick
Environment
water
soil/sediment
Case Study Activities
The main aim of this study is ecological monitoring of wildlife, disease prevention (epidemics/pandemics) and prediction of future pathogens. Thus, we will sample small mammals, bushmeat, domestic animals (pigs, dogs, goats) - considered as potential reservoirs of pathogens - as well as collect vectors (ticks, flies, mosquitoes, helminths). Our sampling will take place in various habitats according to their age, including primary forest, fallow land, fields, dwellings and villages. Our study also aims to promote good practice in the use of animal biodiversity among riverside communities. For this reason, we will be working with local hunters to sample bushmeat.
The Congo case study is based on animal biodiversity sampling (small mammals). The study will be carried out in the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve in the Kisangani region of Tshopo Province. The speciality of this site is that Kisangani is located in a forest region where most of the local population derive their animal protein from bushmeat, which dominates over fish.
Non-invasive methods will be preferred for sampling, with different types of traps (Sherman, Viktor, clapette to capture shrews and rodents; mist nets, harp traps to capture bats). A biosafety laboratory will be set up at the trapping site to collect samples in compliance with bioethics regulations. Initial sample analyses will be carried out at the Centre de Surveillance de la Biodiversité, while more specialized analyses will be carried out at partner institutions in the DRC and Belgium. Six researchers will be taking part in the study.