Director of Upemba and Kundelungu National Parks Complex

Founding member and Director of the Forgotten Parks Foundation, Robert has 15 years’ experience supporting protected area management and leadership in Africa, most of this in DRC, including 12 years working at Congo’s world-famous Virunga National Park. In 2018, the Congolese Institute for Conservation and Nature (ICCN) appointed Robert as ICCN Provincial Director in Greater Katanga, as well as Chief Park Warden of Upemba and Kundelungu National Parks. Robert holds a Masters in Science degree in Conservation Biology.

Director Forgotten Parks Foundation USA

Founding member and Technical Director of the Forgotten Parks Foundation, Kevin leads on the design and installation of conservation technologies focussed around digital telecommunication and surveillance systems. He also manages the Foundation’s US office and Technical Support Unit (TSU), which assists partner conservation organisations by developing technical capability and conducts research and development of conservation technologies for the benefit of all. Kevin is also studying part-time for a Masters in Science degree program in Wildlife Biology and Conservation and is due to graduate in 2020.

Medical Director

As the Medical Director, Liz is responsible for the development of medical capabilities on behalf of the Foundation. Liz is a specialist ICU/ trauma nurse (RN) trained in the US. She is the Founder and CEO of Serqet Medical Solutions (http://serqetmedical.ngo/), a US registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, providing healthcare services to wildlife conservation areas, including medical equipment, supplies, training to those who protect endangered wildlife in high-risk zones, and assisting in providing medical care and capability to local, rural communities. Their Med4Rangers project provides essential medical kits and trauma training to wildlife protection rangers. Liz works with Congolese health workers and leads the development of our ‘One Health’ initiative to strengthen the medical response capacity within Upemba and Kundelungu National Parks, including the implementation of a ‘One Health’ electronic medical record system and mobile community health clinics.

Deputy Chief Park Warden of Upemba & Kundelungu National Parks and Head of Law Enforcement. Colonel Rodrigue Katembo is a recipient of the Goldman Prize for Conservation in Africa (2017) for his work exposing illegal oil exploration by British firm SOCO International in Virunga National Park, forcing them to abandon their plans. He was transferred to Upemba National Park in 2015. Rodrigue holds a Masters degree in Biology.

Rodrigue Mugaruka Katembo

Director of Upemba and Kundelungu National Parks Complex

Founding member and Director of the Forgotten Parks Foundation, Robert has 15 years’ experience supporting protected area management and leadership in Africa, most of this in DRC, including 12 years working at Congo’s world-famous Virunga National Park. In 2018, the Congolese Institute for Conservation and Nature (ICCN) appointed Robert as ICCN Provincial Director in Greater Katanga, as well as Chief Park Warden of Upemba and Kundelungu National Parks. Robert holds a Masters in Science degree in Conservation Biology.

Primarily based at Lusinga HQ, within Upemba National Park, Rob Craig is employed as a Technical Advisor, working on behalf of FPF. He supports the development of strategies, proposals, plans and partnerships for the rehabilitation and development of Upemba & Kundelungu National Parks. He joins the Foundation after spending eight years with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) serving as Chief of Party to major USAID grants in South Sudan and Mozambique. Rob holds a Masters degree in Environment and Development and we are very lucky and appreciative to have him on our team!