Conservation Models Influence the Return on Investment in Rangers in the Grauer’s Gorilla (<i>Gorilla</i> <i>beringei graueri</i>) Range in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

The Grauer’s gorilla is one of the species most affected by biodiversity degradation, and all the protected areas (PAs) in its range face management challenges (Plumptre et al., 2021). This research examines how the combination of rangers’ capacity, conservation models, mode of governance, and the presence of armed groups influences the Return On Investment in Rangers (ROIR) for conservation in Grauer’s gorilla range. ROIR is expressed in terms of site coverage rate, the level, extent, and trend of poaching in the PAs. The rangers represent investment. We collected data from 11 PAs in Grauer’s gorilla range. Among the 11 protected areas (PAs), five are governmentally protected areas (GPAs) and six are community-protected areas (CPAs). Due to the small sample size, the analysis focused on descriptive statistics, including means and comparisons of means. Overall, we found that the rangers’ density is low in Grauer’s gorilla range (77.05 km2 per ranger), which is very low compared to the overall average density of a forest landscape (25 km2 per ranger). The rangers’ capacity is also low in the Grauer’s gorilla distribution area (22.6 km2 per ranger). The rangers’ capacity, as well as the ROIR, is influenced by several factors, including the presence of armed groups, conservation models, community engagement, and the holding of weapons by rangers. However, the factors studied in this chapter are not the only ones that influence either rangers’ capacity and ROIR. However, the negative impact of armed groups on rangers’ capacity ROIR can be alleviated or even aggravated by the local communities’ collaboration, not by holding firearms by rangers. In conclusion, community forestry for conservation has a better ROIR overall than Fortress, with the highest site coverage rate, a low level of poaching and hunting, and a decreasing poaching trend, while the extent of poaching is the same in both Fortress and community forestry for conservation. Additionally, ForesCom is more resilient to the presence of armed groups than Fortress. Community forestry for conservation appears to be a viable option for expanding conservation efforts in Grauer’s gorilla range, ensuring its control and combating poaching with a limited number of rangers.