Republic of Congo Expands National Park to Include Gorilla-Rich, Unlogged Forest

The Republic of Congo announced the growth of Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park by adding the Djéké Triangle, the only place in the world home to both gorillas and chimpanzees. Cincinnati Zoo director Thane Maynard, primate curator Ron Evans, and Lincoln Park Zoo’s Dr. David Morgan traveled to the Congo in 2018 to observe gorilla field conservation in action. The growth of the national park comes after more than 25 years of scientific research in the area, extensive community consultation and the passing of an act to protect the Djéké Triangle.

The 95 square kilometer forest area adjacent to the park will benefit both wildlife and communities and the park now covers a total of 4334 km2. The Cincinnati Zoo conservation team has helped reinforce the teams for years with direct funding and project partnership with the Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundation.

The Djéké triangle is a habitat full of many threatened animals, including critically endangered western lowland gorillas, chimpanzees, and forest elephants, along with bongo antelopes and other large mammals, plus more than 300 bird species and 1,000 plant species. The gazettement of the Djéké Triangle into the Park was made possible by the Park’s long-standing collaboration with research teams and the FSC-certified logging companies that operate around the Park.

The Mondika research site provides stable employment for over 40 people, the majority of whom are indigenous, as well as capacity building opportunities for Congolese researchers, with important investments in women’s leadership. The ongoing development of tourism, with the upcoming construction of several lodges in the vicinity of the Park, will further increase the economic opportunities related to the Djéké Triangle for local populations.

The Minister of Forest Economy, H.E. Ms. Rosalie Matondo commented that this is an example to follow for the creation and extension of protected areas in the region, which must be done with the best interests of the country, its inhabitants and its wildlife at heart.

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Important Piece in the Congo Conservation Puzzle in Place!

The Congo Basin is one of the most important regions in the world for biodiversity conservation. It is home to some of the most iconic species on the planet, including the African elephant, gorilla, okapi, and chimpanzee. The region is also home to some of the world’s most threatened species, such as the bonobo and the Congo peafowl. Unfortunately, the region has been plagued by decades of civil unrest, making conservation efforts difficult. However, in recent years, a number of initiatives have been put in place to help protect the region’s biodiversity and ensure its long-term sustainability.

The Congo Basin Forest Partnership

The Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) is a partnership of over 40 countries and organizations working together to conserve and sustainably manage the forests of the Congo Basin. The CBFP is a collaborative effort to promote the conservation and sustainable management of the Congo Basin’s forests and to ensure the equitable sharing of benefits from the region’s natural resources. The CBFP has established a number of initiatives, including the Congo Basin Forest Fund, which provides financial and technical support to local communities and governments to promote sustainable forest management.

The Great Apes Survival Partnership

The Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP) is an international initiative to protect the great apes of the Congo Basin. GRASP works with local communities and governments to promote sustainable management of the region’s forests and to protect the region’s great ape populations. GRASP has established a number of initiatives, such as the Great Ape Conservation Fund, which provides financial and technical support to local communities and governments to protect the region’s great apes.

The World Wildlife Fund

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is one of the leading organizations working to protect the biodiversity of the Congo Basin. The WWF has established a number of initiatives, including the Congo Basin Forest Initiative, which works to promote sustainable forest management and the conservation of the region’s biodiversity. The WWF also works with local communities and governments to promote conservation and sustainable development in the region.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a global network of organizations working to conserve the world’s biodiversity. The IUCN works with local communities and governments to promote sustainable management of the region’s forests and to protect the region’s biodiversity. The IUCN has also established a number of initiatives, such as the Congo Basin Forest Program, which works to promote sustainable forest management and the conservation of the region’s biodiversity.

Conclusion

The Congo Basin is an important region for biodiversity conservation and the protection of some of the world’s most iconic species. A number of initiatives have been put in place in recent years to help protect the region’s biodiversity and ensure its long-term sustainability. These include the Congo Basin Forest Partnership, the Great Apes Survival Partnership, the World Wildlife Fund, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. These initiatives are helping to ensure that the important piece in the Congo conservation puzzle is in place.