This report covers activities carried out during the month of December 2019 related to research on ecological beekeeping with indigenous species (meliponuculture) in Ruvubu National Park. First, a field trip to Ruvubu National Park to contact park managers and visit the study site and gather preliminary information in relation to field data.

During this descent, we were with an executive from the biodiversity research service Mr. Longin Ndayikeza, who introduced us to the Park manager and explained to him the purpose of this work. We also presented to the Head of the Park a copy of the correspondence of the Director General of OBPE which gives us access to the Ruvubu National Park and to the OBPE laboratory as part of this research work. The Framework of the Biodiversity Research Service at OBPE showed me the meliponiculture that had been erected in Muremera and informed me of the known problems at the level of these apiaries.

I was asked to find solutions as part of this study and to take them into account in the development of apiaries in Gasave at the level of this same park. We then went to Gasave to get in touch with the head of the Gasave sector and identify together the places where the two apiaries will be erected. I continued my activities by targeting various local stakeholders as part of this research activity. These include the people who will help me with sample collection and potential service providers, especially in connection with the construction of apiaries and the manufacture of hives, etc.

The stage that ended my activities during the month of December was the launch of the call for tenders for the manufacture of hives and the construction of shelters for melipones (apiaries). This call for tenders was launched at the local level to natural and legal persons with experience in the construction of hives and hives.