Fool Fish World/Graphic
preface
If nature has endless "charm and mystery", then the Congo River is definitely one of the magnificent flows in it.
This majestic river originates from the Zambezi River and winds down for more than 4,700 kilometers, predisposing the lifeblood of the "Black Continent".
The lungs of the earth
It is both the first largest river in Africa and the second largest river in the world. From highlands and grasslands to swampy woodlands to rainforests and deserts, the Congo River Basin is a haven for wildlife, with its ever-changing landscape and rich ecosystems.
The Congo River is not only the lifeblood of the African continent, but also an important link between human civilization and the natural world.
Here, we can appreciate the deep emotions of the soulful performance of African souls, and feel the charm and mystery of nature.
Let us explore the lifeblood of this black continent together and appreciate the magnificence and beauty of the "River of Life".
01
The creation of the Congo River has altered the ecosystem
About 130 million years ago, a strong crustal movement occurred in the eastern part of the African continent, stretching and rupturing the crust in the Great Rift Valley region of East Africa, forming the Great Rift Valley System.
During the formation of the Great Rift Valley system, the earth's crust continued to sink, fracture and uplift, forming a series of topographic and geomorphological features, including plateaus, mountains, basins, faults and volcanoes.
Over time, the Congo River eroded and deposited on these rocks, gradually developing its own unique geomorphological features.
In the lower basin, the Congo River forms one of the Z-deep and Z-long canyons in the world, the Congo Gorge. This canyon is about 322 kilometers long and reaches a depth of more than 2,000 meters, with steep canyon walls, waterfalls and rapids, and spectacular views.
In addition, the Congo River also passes through a number of geological belts, such as the Congo Basin, the Mayoma Basin and the Congo Forest Basin, forming a variety of different geomorphological landscapes.
After the birth of this river, the entire ecosystem changed, the most spectacular of which is the annual animal migration.
It is a real test of life and death
There are many dangers in the water
Migration comes at a cost
The end of some animal lives means that some lives begin to continue.
02
The unique ecosystem of the Congo River
According to geographical location and geomorphological features, the Congo River can be divided into three sections: upper, middle and downstream.
Upper section: The upper reaches of the Congo River are located in the area where the river headwaters include the Congo Plateau and the eastern mountains. This section of the area is high and varied and includes lakes, swamps, confluences, shoals and waterfalls.
The clear, turbulent water here is home to many wildlife and plants, and is a source of livelihood for the local population. At the same time, the topography of the upstream section also limits the scope and mode of human activity.
Midstream: The middle reaches of the Congo River are located between Tanzania and Burundi and are the backbone of the entire river. The middle reaches are characterized by a dense river network, the most concentrated amount of water, and the widest part of the river is more than 20 kilometers, and the middle reaches are navigable.
This area is rich in water resources, and fishing, agriculture and transportation are important to the livelihood and economy of the local population.
Lower section: The lower section of the Congo River, located between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola, is the last section. The downstream section is characterized by turbulent currents of up to 50 kilometers per hour and depths of more than 230 meters at its maximum point.
The water here is very fast, often forming rapids and whirlpools. There are no estuarine sedimentary deltas in the lower section, and the river has carved out a trough on the Atlantic shelf. The climate in this section of the region is hot and dry, with little vegetation and low wildlife, but rivers remain an important source of livelihood and economic support for local residents.
Basin map of the Congo River
The biggest difference between the Congo River is that it has two waterfalls, which are:
Inga Falls: Located on the upper reaches of the Congo River, about 260 kilometers from the mouth of the Congo River, it is one of the largest waterfalls in the world. The Inuga Falls complex consists of a series of waterfalls and rapids of different sizes, with a drop of up to 96 meters.
Gibro Camel Falls
Livingstone Falls: Located in the middle reaches of the Congo River, about 300 kilometers from the mouth of the Congo River, it is composed of waterfalls and rapids of various sizes, with a total length of more than 350 kilometers. The number of quinine waterfalls is as high as 32, with a maximum drop of 50 meters.
Quinin Falls
The presence of these two waterfalls has caused changes in the flow and diversification of the water environment of the Congo River, as well as affected the local fish ecosystem, and the Congo River crosses the equator twice before finally joining the Atlantic Ocean.
The pristine rainforest of the Congo Basin is very abundant in rainfall, coupled with the low terrain of the Congo River basin and the long river trend, ensuring that the Congo River has sufficient water. The rainy and dry seasons alternately move north-south on both sides of the equator, making the flow of the Congo River relatively stable throughout the year. This special geographical location and climatic conditions provide a unique living environment for the aquatic life of the Congo River.
03
Unique ecosystems create unique fish species
Scientists have recorded more than 700 different species of fish in the Congo River. The Congo River basin is vast and covers many different ecosystems and water types, so it is very rich in fish stocks. Some of these fish breed and survive only in the Congo River, which makes the area one of the highest in fish diversity.
One. Upper Congo River: Due to the rapid currents, low water temperature, and abundant oxygen throughout the year, these conditions make the area relatively few fish species, which include:
- Congo sturgeon (Pseudoscaphirhynchus kaufmanni): This fish is endemic to the upper Congo River region and belongs to the sturgeon family. They are huge, up to 3 meters long, and are the giants of freshwater fish. They feed on benthic organisms, including crustaceans, molluscs, and small fish.
Congo sturgeon
- African catfish (Clarias gariepinus): This is a benthic fish that adapts to a variety of environments. African catfish can survive during periods of drought, being able to dig burrows in the soil and lie dormant there.
African catfish
- Congo perch (Ctenochromis horei): This fish is endemic to the upper Congo River region, mainly found in Rwanda and Burundi. They are a carnivorous fish that feeds mainly on small fish.
Congo perch
- Pyle goby: A freshwater fish that lives in African rivers such as the Congo and Niger rivers, it is a carnivorous fish that can reach a maximum length of 1.5 meters.
Pyle goby
Two. Middle reaches of the Congo River: Due to the gentle current, relatively rich in fish species, representative of:
- Congo damselfish (Cichlidae): This is one of the main fish stocks in the middle reaches of the Congo River and includes many different species. They are a carnivorous fish that feeds mainly on other small fish.
Gorgeous-looking Congolese damselfish
- African Tigerfish: This is an extremely adaptable fish that can live in a variety of different waters, including lakes and rivers. African salmon is a carnivorous fish with its powerful jawbones and teeth that can easily crush other fish.
African salmon
- Congolese whiting: It is a freshwater fish that lives in the Congo and Niger river basins. They usually live in deep water areas and feed on insects and other small aquatic organisms. The body of the Congolese haddock has a metallic sheen and is very beautiful, so it is widely used in aquariums.
Congolese whiting
- Congolese sunfish: It is a freshwater fish that lives in the shallow waters of the middle reaches of the Congo River and is small, with a maximum length of only about 20 cm.
Congolese sunfish
- Lungfish: is a group of fish adapted to environmental extremes, also known as lungfish. They are mainly found in places such as Africa, South America and Australia, and some of these varieties have also been introduced to other regions. Lungfish get their name from the fact that they have a pair of lungs that breathe air. In the absence of oxygen or when the waters are dry, they can draw air into the lungs to stay alive.
Lungfish, who have not drunk water for several months, live as happily as well
Three. Lower Congo River: The water here flows very quickly, often forming rapids and whirlpools, and is infested with apex predators, which include:
- Congo giant trevally (Pangasius): This is one of the main fish species in the lower Congo River region and is a large bottom-dwelling fish. They can be up to 2 meters long and weigh up to 100 kilograms. They are omnivorous fish that feed mainly on benthic invertebrates, plankton and small fish.
Congo giant trevally
- Redtail Catfish: A large benthic freshwater fish with a usually dark brown body and bright red tail, prefers to live in deep water, feeding on other fish, crustaceans and molluscs.
Red-tailed catfish
- Giant Sea Perch: The bigeye bream is an important marine fish found off the west coast of Africa, also known as the African sea bream or African spot. They are large, can be up to 1.5 meters long and weigh more than 50 kilograms, and are one of the important fishery resources.
Bigeye snapper
- Electric Blue Hap: A moderately sized, brightly colored freshwater fish that usually lives under rocky and sand water and feeds on small invertebrates.
Blue-capped bream
- African giant piranha: The African giant piranha, also known as the African catfish or Congo catfish, is a large freshwater fish in the Congo River basin. They can be up to 2 meters long and weigh about 100 kilograms, making them one of the largest freshwater fish in the world. African giant piranas are carnivorous predators, they have strong predatory instincts and aggressive power, and can even attack humans.
African giant piranha
In the Congo River, a complex food chain is established between various fish species, and fish play a vital role in the functioning of the ecosystem. Some fish are top predators in the food chain, such as the African giant piranas and sharks, which control the balance of the food chain and help control the numbers of other species.
Other fish serve as a bottom food resource, providing a source of nutrition for apex predators. The interaction and regulation of various fish species allows the Congo River ecosystem to maintain a relatively stable state.
However, with increasing human activities, including overfishing, habitat destruction and water pollution, the ecosystem of the Congo River is facing serious threats.
03
Life plays out here
The unique ecosystem creates a unique environment, and when we enter the basin of the Congo River, it is like entering a world full of vitality.
Here, we can see a magnificent picture of countless lives, and those wild animals are running wild, showing the power and beauty of life.
The Congo River basin is one of the largest tropical rainforests in Africa and is home to a wealth of biodiversity and rare and endangered species, including about 600 species of birds and more than 300 species of mammals.
- Ape: One of the world's last ape habitats in the Congo River Basin, it is a close relative of humans and is considered one of the most intelligent apes. However, apes have a relatively high IQ and can use tools such as breaking hard husks with stones or using branches as "hooks" to catch insects. At the same time, apes have good sociality, will establish complex social structures in groups, have division of labor and cooperative behavior, and use various facial expressions and voices to communicate.
Cute elves
- Forest elephants: The Congo Basin has the largest population of forest elephants in Africa, they are one of the largest land mammals in the world, reaching a length of 4-6 meters, a shoulder height of about 2.5-3 meters, and a weight of 4-6 tons. They are iconic animals of the Congo Basin.
The ivory trade is the root cause of their gradual decline
- Bonobos: Large, up to 1.6 meters long, about 1.2 meters tall at the shoulders, and weighing up to 70-90 kilograms. Their body hair is black and their skin is pink. Bonobos are very intelligent and resourceful animals, with a good memory and learning ability, and can use simple tools such as sticks, stones, etc., as well as complex tools, such as bamboo sticks, etc., to obtain food. Bonobos are social animals that usually live in families and are led by a male orangutan. They have strong social behaviors, such as hugging, shaking hands, kissing, etc., and also have a high IQ and emotional intelligence.
Bonobos have been eaten as an endangered species by local indigenous people, and they look so human-like, how can they get their mouths down
- Golden Cat: The Golden Cat refers to a small cat that lives in the Asian rainforest, also known as the ocelot. They are usually about 50 cm long, weigh about 3-4 kg, and are covered with light yellow or gray spots. The golden cat is a nocturnal animal that feeds mainly on small mammals and birds, but also preys on insects and reptiles. They are extremely rare cats, and the Congo Basin is one of the last golden cat habitats in the world.
The fur trade is the root of killing it, a red endangered species
- Hippopotamus: Also known as pufferfish, is an aquatic mammal that is the third continentally born animal in the world, after the African elephant and the white rhinoceros. The body length can reach 4-5 meters, and the weight can reach 1.5-4 tons. Although hippos look bulky, they have surprisingly fast and powerful power, and when threatened, hippos can quickly rush at the threatening animal and even overturn small boats.
The locals do not harm them because they are called holy relics and are worshipped because they are relicted
- African crocodile: There are two main types of crocodiles in the Congo River Basin: African crocodile and barreynose crocodile. Crocodiles play a very important role in the ecosystem of the Congo River basin. They are one of the apex predators and can control the number of other animals in the food chain and maintain ecological balance. However, due to overhunting and habitat destruction, crocodile populations have been drastically reduced and face serious existential threats.
The world's top luxury in African crocodile skin
These species are in rapid decline, with the greatest threat coming from human activities such as deforestation, mining, hunting and illegal timber harvesting.
These activities destroy the habitat of the animals and lead to a drastic decline in their numbers.
In addition, the illegal wildlife trade is a serious problem, with many animals being hunted and smuggled abroad to be sold on the black market as rare animals. This not only affects local ecosystems, but also deprives indigenous peoples of the opportunity to depend on natural resources for their livelihoods.
04
The reproduction of Congolese culture
Congo is a region in west-central Africa that covers the Congo River basin and surrounding areas.
THERE ARE TWO COUNTRIES IN THIS REGION, ONE IS THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CARIBBEAN, ABBREVIATED AS GANGUO, AND THE OTHER IS THE REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO, ABBREVIATED GANGUO.
Both countries derive their names from the Congo River, but they are completely independent countries with political, economic and cultural differences.
Historically, these two countries, as well as neighboring countries, were invaded and exploited by European colonialism, but gained independence in the mid-20th century.
The indigenous people have lived in the Congo River basin for thousands of years, relying on the water and abundant resources provided by the river to develop unique ways of living and cultural characteristics, the most famous of which include the Baca, Pigme, Muba, Ngoma and so on.
Indigenous tribes
These indigenous peoples lived mainly from agriculture, hunting and fishing, and their lifestyles and cultural characteristics were very different from those of modern society.
They are writing music with their lives
They usually live in traditional thatched huts or shacks, without electricity, running water and modern facilities, and live a simple and primitive life.
Hunting and gathering is one of their main sources of livelihood
The culture and traditional practices of indigenous peoples are very diverse, and they have unique religious beliefs and forms of social organization.
For example, the music and dance culture of the Baka people is very developed, and they mainly perform drumming and chanting, usually on specific occasions and festivals.
Baka welcome dance
The Pigme, on the other hand, are known for their traditional handicrafts, which make clothes, hats, shoes and other items from materials such as tree bark, plant fibers and animal hides.
After entering the 21st century, the local indigenous people face many difficulties.
One of the most serious problems is the threat of loss of land and resources.
As a result of population growth and illegal logging, forest areas are shrinking and land and resources are becoming more scarce, which prevents many indigenous peoples from continuing to earn their livelihoods from land and natural resources.
Congo is rich in precious timber, which directly contributes to forest loss
At the same time, they face poverty, inadequate health care, and underdeveloped education, which have serious implications for their health, lives and futures.
In addition, indigenous peoples face the challenge of cultural and social change.
The trend towards modernization and globalization has led many young indigenous peoples to move away from traditional lifestyles and cultures and towards modern social lifestyles.
This has led to the gradual disappearance and loss of traditional culture and values, posing serious challenges to indigenous identities and cultural heritage.
end
With the overexploitation and predatory use of natural resources, the ecological environment of the Congo River Basin has suffered serious damage and pollution. Water pollution, loss of aquatic resources and habitat destruction have had a serious impact on the lives and economic development of local residents.
Imagine the once crystal clear Congo River now becoming murky, with a declining diversity of species and many species at risk of extinction. The destruction and pollution of these ecological environments not only cause great harm to local people, but also have an irreversible impact on the global ecological balance.
If we do not take measures to continue to expose natural resources to overexploitation and predatory exploitation, those precious resources will be lost forever.
---THE END---
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