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55-472: It was the site of a plane crash on May 25, 2005 when a chartered Maniema Union Antonov An-28 aircraft, owned by Victoria Air, crashed into a mountain near Walungu, about 30 minutes after takeoff. All of the 22 passengers and 5 crew members were killed (see 2005 in aviation ). United Nations Peacekeeping Force has also been employed to counter foreign armed groups and local militias which are committing HRVs (Human Rights Violations) while exploring minerals from

110-412: A humid subtropical climate . The territory has a significant rainy season , which typically extends from September 15 to May 15, making it the longest season throughout the year. It is characterized by relatively mild temperatures , with the hottest month recording an average temperature of around 25°C. Conversely, the coldest month experiences an average temperature of approximately 18°C, contributing to

165-530: A laissez-faire position, which argues that humans should not harm wild animals but that humans should not intervene to reduce natural harms that they experience. This subsection focuses on anthropogenic forms of wildlife destruction. The loss of animals from ecological communities is also known as defaunation . Exploitation of wild populations has been a characteristic of modern man since our exodus from Africa 130,000 – 70,000 years ago. The rate of extinctions of entire species of plants and animals across

220-575: A common subject for educational television shows . National Geographic Society specials appeared on CBS since 1965, later moving to American Broadcasting Company and then Public Broadcasting Service . In 1963, NBC debuted Wild Kingdom , a popular program featuring zoologist Marlin Perkins as host. The BBC natural history unit in the United Kingdom was a similar pioneer, the first wildlife series LOOK presented by Sir Peter Scott ,

275-539: A dramatic and rapid growth in recent years worldwide and many elements are closely aligned to eco-tourism and sustainable tourism . Wild animal suffering is suffering experienced by non-human animals living in the wild, outside of direct human control, due to natural processes such as disease , injury , parasitism , starvation , malnutrition , dehydration , weather conditions , natural disasters , killings by other animals , and psychological stress . Some estimates indicate that these individual animals make up

330-617: A key victory against the insurgency. During the First Congo War from 1996 to 1997, the region became a battleground due to its strategic location and access to valuable resources. The conflict involved multiple armed groups, including the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo-Zaire (AFDL), Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA), and Forces Armées Burundaises (FAB). The AFDL, led by Laurent-Désiré Kabila , emerged as

385-498: A number of ways, including the legal, social and moral senses. Some animals, however, have adapted to suburban environments. This includes such animals as feral cats , dogs, mice, and rats. Some religions declare certain animals to be sacred, and in modern times, concern for the natural environment has provoked activists to protest against the exploitation of wildlife for human benefit or entertainment. Global wildlife populations have decreased significantly by 68% since 1970 as

440-434: A period of acclimation can increase in numbers significantly, having destructive effects on many elements of the native environment of which they have become part. This final group is one of secondary effects. All wild populations of living things have many complex intertwining links with other living things around them. Large herbivorous animals such as the hippopotamus have populations of insectivorous birds that feed off

495-498: A range of wildlife such as antelopes , zebras , wildebeests , lions , and cheetahs . These grassy plains play a key role in natural processes such as nutrient cycling , soil formation , and water infiltration . The state woodlots and forest reserves are crucial for the conservation and sustainable management of forest resources. They provide timber , firewood , and non- timber forest products for local communities while also harboring various flora and fauna . However,

550-457: A rebel movement aiming to overthrow the regime of President Mobutu Sese Seko in Zaire . The AFDL received significant support from RPA, led by Paul Kagame , due to concerns about the presence of Rwandan Hutu militias in eastern Zaire. The counter-offensive led to massacres of millions of Hutu génocidaires , Hutu refugees , and Zairean civilians in the eastern part of DRC, as documented by

605-533: A relatively comfortable year-round climate. Throughout the year, monthly temperatures within the territory exhibit variations ranging between 15°C and 25°C, indicating moderate temperature fluctuations . This moderate climate supports various outdoor activities and agricultural practices . Annual rainfall in Walungu Territory typically varies between 900 and 1,500 millimeters, illustrating a considerable range of precipitation levels . Walungu Territory

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660-620: A result of human activity, particularly overconsumption , population growth , and intensive farming , according to a 2020 World Wildlife Fund 's Living Planet Report and the Zoological Society of London 's Living Planet Index measure, which is further evidence that humans have unleashed a sixth mass extinction event. According to CITES , it has been estimated that annually the international wildlife trade amounts to billions of dollars and it affects hundreds of millions of animal and plant specimen. Wildlife trade refers to

715-412: A result of long-term weathering and leaching processes that have altered the original composition of the parent rocks . Consequently, the soil becomes impoverished in essential nutrients, affecting its ability to support robust plant growth . As a result, farmers in the region face challenges in maximizing agricultural yields due to the limitations of the soil's fertility. Walungu Territory experiences

770-477: A vast array of plant and animal species, including rare and endemic species, and play a vital role in climate regulation, carbon sequestration , and the preservation of biodiversity . The region boasts a rich hydrological network , with numerous major rivers coursing through its landscape. Among these rivers, the Ruzizi River , Luvinvi River , Ulindi River , and Ludubo River are significant waterways in

825-457: Is administratively divided into two chiefdoms ( chefferies ), each further subdivided into groupements (groups) and localités (villages). The territory is governed by a territorial administrator and two assistant administrators, aiming to establish closer connections between the rulers and the ruled. Each chiefdom is headed by a chieftaincy commonly known as " Mwami " or " Bami ", responsible for upholding customs and overseeing succession, which

880-839: Is considered its preferred area or territory . Many processes associated with human habitation of an area cause loss of this area and decrease the carrying capacity of the land for that species. In many cases these changes in land use cause a patchy break-up of the wild landscape. Agricultural land frequently displays this type of extremely fragmented, or relictual habitat. Farms sprawl across the landscape with patches of uncleared woodland or forest dotted in-between occasional paddocks. Examples of habitat destruction include grazing of bushland by farmed animals, changes to natural fire regimes, forest clearing for timber production and wetland draining for city expansion. Mice, cats, rabbits, dandelions and poison ivy are all examples of species that have become invasive threats to wild species in various parts of

935-591: Is home to a vast array of amazing wildlife. However, illegal hunting and trade poses a threat to Malaysia's natural diversity. A November 2008 report from biologist and author Sally Kneidel, PhD, documented numerous wildlife species for sale in informal markets along the Amazon River , including wild-caught marmosets sold for as little as $ 1.60 (5 Peruvian soles). Many Amazon species, including peccaries , agoutis , turtles , turtle eggs, anacondas , armadillos are sold primarily as food. Wildlife has long been

990-526: Is one of the deadliest months in aviation to date, in which 351 people were killed in six major accidents. Wildlife Wildlife refers to undomesticated animal species , but has come to include all organisms that grow or live wild in an area without being introduced by humans . Wildlife was also synonymous to game : those birds and mammals that were hunted for sport . Wildlife can be found in all ecosystems . Deserts , plains , grasslands , woodlands , forests , and other areas including

1045-533: Is situated within the Ruzizi Plain , a vast lowland area known for its fertile soils and favorable agricultural conditions. With its flat topography and favorable climate, the territory is ideal for various agricultural activities, supporting the cultivation of a wide range of crops, including maize , beans , cassava , rice , potatoes , sweet potatoes , soybeans , coffee , bananas , tomatoes , onions , and other cash crops . Notable mountain ranges in

1100-413: Is traditionally passed down from father to son. The customary chiefs work in coordination with the administrative authority but maintain some level of independence. Each groupement is led by a groupement head, often from the royal family directly or indirectly. The village chiefs ( chefs de village ) within each groupement are appointed and dismissed by the paramount groupement leader after consulting

1155-418: Is widespread and constitutes one of the major illegal economic activities, comparable to the traffic of drugs and weapons . Stone Age people and hunter-gatherers relied on wildlife, both plants and animals, for their food. In fact, some species may have been hunted to extinction by early human hunters. Today, hunting, fishing, and gathering wildlife is still a significant food source in some parts of

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1210-625: The Ngweshe Chiefdom in Walungu Territory's decision to depose the leader of the Kaniola Groupement without providing a justifiable reason fueled tensions. This expulsion, coupled with the existence of armed vigilance committees and the popularity of Foka Mike, a local figure, further aggravated the power struggle and accusations of militancy. Civil society in Kaniola and other parts of the region has voiced grievances against

1265-522: The Sun City Agreement in 2003, the region has been plagued by persistent insecurity and conflict due to armed groups like the FDLR ( Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda ) and Rasta militia ( les Rasta ), remnants of Interahamwe , perpetuating violence and instability . The Rasta militia, an ultra-violent armed group composed of approximately fifteen Congolese dissidents, emerged in

1320-489: The United Nations Mapping Report . The AFDL/RPA units committed numerous human rights violations , deliberately attacking civilian populations, resulting in massacres , summary executions , and mass displacements . Civilians often found themselves caught in the crossfire between rival factions or targeted deliberately to exert control over local communities. Throughout October and November 1996,

1375-864: The AFDL/RPA units killed five refugees in the village of Lwakabiri and, in January 1997, killed at least thirty Rwandan and Burundian Hutu refugees on the Bukavu to Walungu Territory road. Before killing the victims, the soldiers often subjected them to torture and mutilation . The Second Congo War further plunged the region and the Democratic Republic of the Congo into a devastating conflict. After ousting President Mobutu in 1997, Laurent-Désiré Kabila assumed power. However, tensions escalated as former allies from AFDL and RPA felt sidelined and excluded from

1430-587: The AFDL/RPA units launched brutal attacks on refugees, killing hundreds of people in various locations, including the Kamanyola grouping of Ngweshe Chiefdom , Nyarubale in the Kalunga hills, and the routes between Nyantende and Walungu-Centre and Nyantende and Bukavu . Most of the victims were women, children, and the elderly. The soldiers resorted to firearms , bayonets , and shrapnel , causing immense suffering and loss of life. Additionally, on 28 October 1996,

1485-869: The US have dominated the market for shows about wildlife on cable television, while on Public Broadcasting Service the NATURE strand made by WNET-13 in New York and NOVA by WGBH in Boston are notable. Wildlife television is now a multimillion-dollar industry with specialist documentary film-makers in many countries including UK, US, New Zealand, Australia, Austria, Germany, Japan, and Canada. There are many magazines and websites which cover wildlife including National Wildlife , Birds & Blooms , Birding , wildlife.net , and Ranger Rick for children. Many animal species have spiritual significance in different cultures around

1540-427: The area. Walungu Territory is located between 28.44 and 28.758° E (longitude) and 2.692 and 2.625° S (latitude). It sits at an elevation between 1000 meters (at Kamanyola ) and 3000 meters above sea level . Covering a surface area of 1800 km, it is a large region that encompasses a diverse range of natural features , such as mountains , lakes , rivers , forests , and fertile plains . Roughly half of its terrain

1595-741: The chieftaincy chief, accusing him of lacking transparency and disregarding the demands and expectations of local populations. Parenthetically, the issue of access to land has become a severe source of insecurity. The competition between customary land practices and formal land law has created conflicts over land management and access. Customary land rights, often precarious and unprotected, leave many farmers susceptible to dispossession and exploitation by influential private individuals who convert large portions of land into private plantations. This plight has exacerbated land inequalities, as small-scale producers are constrained to rent land from large landowners under insecure oral agreements . Walungu Territory

1650-507: The community. 2°38′S 28°40′E  /  2.633°S 28.667°E  / -2.633; 28.667 2005 in aviation This is a list of aviation-related events from 2005. The deadliest crash of this year was West Caribbean Airways Flight 708 , a McDonnell Douglas MD-80 which crashed near Machiques , Venezuela on 16 August, killing all 160 people on board. This particular accident took place in August 2005, which

1705-568: The competition between members of a population. However, if this hunting continues at rate greater than the rate at which new members of the population can reach breeding age and produce more young, the population will begin to decrease in numbers . Populations that are confined to islands, whether literal islands or just areas of habitat that are effectively an "island" for the species concerned, have also been observed to be at greater risk of dramatic population rise of deaths declines following unsustainable hunting . The habitat of any given species

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1760-614: The conflict. RCD forces often resorted to brutal tactics to assert control over local communities and weaken perceived adversaries. Women and girls faced brutal acts of rape , sexual assault , and forced marriage . These nefarious acts were intended to instill fear, degrade communities, and exert dominance over the civilian population. In addition to sexual violence, the RCD was known for recruiting child soldiers . Young boys, and in some cases girls, were forcibly conscripted into their ranks, exposing them to violence, abuse, and manipulation. Since

1815-472: The context of the philosophy of religion as an instance of the problem of evil . More recently, starting in the 19th century, a number of writers have considered the subject from a secular standpoint as a general moral issue, that humans might be able to help prevent. There is considerable disagreement around taking such action, as many believe that human interventions in nature should not take place because of practicality, valuing ecological preservation over

1870-616: The forest reserves and woodlots face significant challenges from human activities . The population surrounding these areas relies heavily on natural resources for their daily needs, leading to frequent deforestation and degradation . The relentless quest for firewood and construction materials has resulted in the destruction of these forested areas. The region is characterized by clay - sandy soil that has undergone considerable weathering over time. Lateritic soil , known for its ferruginous crust and acidic nature , leads to limited fertility , particularly for crop cultivation . However,

1925-548: The low-lying marshy areas boast fertile soil attributed to sediment deposition from local organisms, enriched by rivers , and water erosion during the rainy season . Nonetheless, the slopes of the territory are prone to erosion, leading to a rapid decrease in agricultural productivity . The foothills and mountains of the territory exhibit an accumulation of mineral deposits , harboring subsoil resources such as gold , iron , tantalum , wolfram , and tin , which hold significant economic potential . The lateritic soils are

1980-517: The many parasitic insects that grow on the hippo. Should the hippo die out, so too will these groups of birds, leading to further destruction as other species dependent on the birds are affected. Also referred to as a domino effect , this series of chain reactions is by far the most destructive process that can occur in any ecological community . Another example is the black drongos and the cattle egrets found in India. These birds feed on insects on

2035-553: The most developed urban areas , all have distinct forms of wildlife. While the term in popular culture usually refers to animals that are untouched by human factors, most scientists agree that much wildlife is affected by human activities . Some wildlife threaten human safety, health, property and quality of life . However, many wild animals, even the dangerous ones, have value to human beings. This value might be economic, educational, or emotional in nature. Humans have historically tended to separate civilization from wildlife in

2090-733: The new government. This led to a quest to topple Kabila's administration. The Rwandan-backed rebels were known as the Rally for Congolese Democracy ( Rassemblement Congolais pour la Démocratie ; RCD). The RCD made up various factions with the common goal of challenging Kabila's government and gaining political influence. As a major faction opposing Laurent-Désiré Kabila's government, the RCD engaged in acts of violence , committing grave atrocities against civilians. These human rights abuses included deliberate attacks on civilian populations. In Walungu and surrounding areas, civilians endured massacres , summary executions , and widespread displacement due to

2145-611: The planet has been so high in the last few hundred years that it is widely believed that a sixth great extinction event ("the Holocene Mass Extinction ") is currently ongoing. The 2019 Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services , published by the United Nations ' Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services , says that roughly one million species of plants and animals face extinction within decades as

2200-576: The products that are derived from non-domesticated animals or plants usually extracted from their natural environment or raised under controlled conditions. It can involve the trade of living or dead individuals, tissues such as skins, bones or meat, or other products. Legal wildlife trade is regulated by the United Nations ' Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which currently has 184 member countries called Parties . Illegal wildlife trade

2255-476: The region and has been responsible for several brutal massacres, most notably in the Nindja Chiefdom and Kaniola Groupement between 2004 and 2007. Another source of ongoing conflict is the traditional power struggle and the presence of vigilance committees; armed groups formed to protect local communities . Nonetheless, their presence has also generated internal tensions and conflicts. The head of

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2310-435: The reproductive capacity of the population is being exploited. The effects of this are often noticed much more dramatically in slow-growing populations such as many larger species of fish. Initially when a portion of a wild population is hunted, an increased availability of resources (food, etc.) is experienced increasing growth and reproduction as density dependent inhibition is lowered. Hunting, fishing and so on, have lowered

2365-793: The result of human actions. Subsequent studies have discovered that the destruction of wildlife is "significantly more alarming" than previously believed, with some 48% of 70,000 monitored animal species experiencing population declines as the result of human industrialization. According to a 2023 study published in PNAS , "immediate political, economic, and social efforts of an unprecedented scale are essential if we are to prevent these extinctions and their societal impacts." The four most general reasons that lead to destruction of wildlife include overkill, habitat destruction and fragmentation , impact of introduced species and chains of extinction. Overkill happens whenever hunting occurs at rates greater than

2420-578: The territory include Mount Kahuzi and the Mitumba Mountains , which provide habitats for various flora and fauna , including the endangered Eastern lowland gorillas . The territory is also crossed by expansive forests and lush vegetation, forming part of the larger Congo Basin rainforest —the largest rainforest in Africa and second in size only to the Amazon rainforest . These forests support

2475-517: The territory is home to several smaller rivers, such as Nshesha, Mugaba, Lunzinzi, and Mayi-Mingi. These rivers may change names as they traverse different plains or marshes . Although less extensively documented, these smaller rivers likely contribute to the local water supply and play a role in maintaining the ecological balance within their respective regions. Walungu Territory is a diverse landscape consisting of grassy savannahs , state woodlots , and forest reserves . The savannahs are home to

2530-472: The territory that support diverse aquatic life , provide water resources for local communities, and contribute to the overall water balance of the region. The Ruzizi River serves as a natural border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo , Rwanda , and Burundi . It originates from Lake Kivu and flows northward, passing through the Ruzizi Plain within the territory. Additionally,

2585-789: The three days of Eid. In Christianity the Bible has a variety of animal symbols, the Lamb is a famous title of Jesus. In the New Testament the Gospels Mark , Luke and John have animal symbols: "Mark is a lion, Luke is a bull and John is an eagle." Wildlife tourism is an element of many nations' travel industry centered around observation and interaction with local animal and plant life in their natural habitats. While it can include eco - and animal-friendly tourism, safari hunting and similar high-intervention activities also fall under

2640-487: The umbrella of wildlife tourism. Wildlife tourism , in its simplest sense, is interacting with wild animals in their natural habitat , either actively (e.g. hunting/collection) or passively (e.g. watching/photography). Wildlife tourism is an important part of the tourism industries in many countries including many African and South American countries, Australia , India , Canada , Indonesia , Bangladesh , Malaysia , Sri Lanka and Maldives among many. It has experienced

2695-509: The vast majority of animals in existence. An extensive amount of natural suffering has been described as an unavoidable consequence of Darwinian evolution , as well as the pervasiveness of reproductive strategies , which favor producing large numbers of offspring, with a low amount of parental care and of which only a small number survive to adulthood, the rest dying in painful ways, has led some to argue that suffering dominates happiness in nature. The topic has historically been discussed in

2750-487: The well-being and interests of individual animals, considering any obligation to reduce wild animal suffering implied by animal rights to be absurd, or viewing nature as an idyllic place where happiness is widespread. Some have argued that such interventions would be an example of human hubris , or playing God , and use examples of how human interventions, for other reasons, have unintentionally caused harm. Others, including animal rights writers, have defended variants of

2805-517: The world, and they and their products may be used as sacred objects in religious rituals. For example, eagles, hawks and their feathers have great cultural and spiritual value to Native Americans as religious objects. In Hinduism the cow is regarded as sacred. Muslims conduct sacrifices on Eid al-Adha , to commemorate the sacrificial spirit of Ibrāhīm in Islam ( Arabic-Abraham ) in love of God . Camels, sheep, goats may be offered as sacrifice during

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2860-490: The world. Frequently species that are uncommon in their home range become out-of-control invasions in distant but similar climates. The reasons for this have not always been clear and Charles Darwin felt it was unlikely that exotic species would ever be able to grow abundantly in a place in which they had not evolved. The reality is that the vast majority of species exposed to a new habitat do not reproduce successfully. Occasionally, however, some populations do take hold and after

2915-476: The world. In other areas, hunting and non-commercial fishing are mainly seen as a sport or recreation. Meat sourced from wildlife that is not traditionally regarded as game is known as bushmeat . The increasing demand for wildlife as a source of traditional food in East Asia is decimating populations of sharks, primates, pangolins and other animals, which they believe have aphrodisiac properties. Malaysia

2970-637: Was a studio-based show, with filmed inserts. David Attenborough first made his appearance in this series, which was followed by the series Zoo Quest during which he and cameraman Charles Lagus went to many exotic places looking for and filming elusive wildlife—notably the Komodo dragon in Indonesia and lemurs in Madagascar. Since 1984, the Discovery Channel and its spinoff Animal Planet in

3025-516: Was officially created by Presidential Decree No. 65-221 on May 3, 1967, and it was further amended by Decree No. 82-006 on February 25, 1982. Walungu Territory has a tumultuous history marked by conflict and insecurity, stemming from a combination of internal and external factors. In the late 1960s, the region played a significant role during the Mulelist insurgency , where the Zairian army achieved

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