The 2023 annual count in the Chinko biodiversity reserve in the Central African Republic (CAR) reveals an increase in wild animal populations, marking a positive trend for biodiversity conservation in the region.
Toute l'actu sur la protection de l'environnement
The 2023 annual count in the Chinko biodiversity reserve in the Central African Republic (CAR) reveals an increase in wild animal populations, marking a positive trend for biodiversity conservation in the region.
Since 2012, the Chinko team has been conducting annual wildlife track counts, a method of estimating species populations and trends in the reserve. Recent results show that populations of large carnivores and herbivores have stabilised or even increased. For example, the number of leopard tracks rose from 2.8 per 100 km in 2020 to 6.2 in 2023, while buffalo tracks increased from 10.3 to 22.9 per 100 km over the same period.
The partnership between the Central African government and African Parks to manage the Chinko Biodiversity Reserve has been crucial to this progress. Joint efforts to protect the reserve, work with local communities and combat poaching have created one of the most stable environments in the region. In 2020, this agreement was renewed for a further 25 years, bringing the area under management to over 64,300 km².
Today, the Chinko Reserve is home to a wide variety of species, including elephants, lions, mongooses, primates and over 100 species of birds. Despite persistent challenges such as poaching and mining, the area retains potential for the recovery of wildlife populations.
However, a recent assessment in the north of the Central African Republic (CAR) reveals a bleaker picture. Wildlife populations in this region have been severely affected by armed conflict and poaching, with dramatic declines observed since 2005. The plundering of natural resources, including mining and wildlife trafficking, remains a major concern.
Concerted efforts are needed to protect wildlife and local communities in the region. Robust conservation measures and cross-border cooperation are essential to ensure a sustainable future for the Central African Republic’s biodiversity.
Fanta Mabo
The Kafue National Park joins the portfolio of African Parks. The nature conservation organization is committed to managing Zambia’s largest national park for a period of 20 years. African Parks’ objectives are to improve the protection of the park’s wildlife and to increase tourist visits.
The Zambian government is delegating the management of a third protected area to the South African non-governmental organization (NGO), African Parks. This is the Kafue National Park, Zambia’s largest, covering 22,400 square kilometers in the central west of the East African country.
« With this management partnership, the Zambian government is beginning the process of fully restoring Kafue as one of the largest conservation areas in Africa. In addition to investing in Kafue’s unique landscape and biodiversity conservation, we will also enhance Kafue’s contribution to the livelihoods of local communities and the national economy, » promises Peter Fearnhead, CEO of African Parks.
The agreement signed on July 1, 2022 in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka, follows the conclusion of a 16-month Priority Support Plan (PSP), initiated in February 2021 by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) and African Parks. Funded with $3.6 million from the Dutch Postcode Lottery Dream Fund grant and supported by The Nature Conservancy and the Elephant Crisis Fund, the PSP consisted of providing technical and financial support to Kafue. This included building a new law enforcement center, rehabilitating existing infrastructure, grading 2,000 km of roads, conducting an aerial survey of the entire landscape, and creating 150 permanent jobs.
A 20-year management contract
The management agreement for Kafue National Park provides for a full 20-year mandate. African Parks will be required to implement a holistic management plan, including the continuation of the work defined in the PSP. Priorities for 2022 include work to improve visitor access, development of community facilities and projects, an improved communications network, and operationalization of the wildlife law enforcement center.
The Zambian government first partnered with African Parks in 2003 in the Liuwa Plain National Park in the west of the country and again in 2008 in the Bangweulu Wetlands in the northeast.
Kafue National Park is the 20th park to join the African Parks portfolio. The conservation NGO wants to make it one of the most unique tourist destinations in Africa. The park is one of the world’s most important natural heritage sites and a key water source for the Kavango Zambezi transboundary region. It is also one of the last remaining large areas of the iconic Zambezi ecoregion, home to elephants, large predators, 21 species of antelope and 515 species of birds.
Fanta Mabo
ZAMBIA: African Parks wins delegated management of Kafue National Park
The Kafue National Park joins the portfolio of African Parks. The nature conservation organization is committed to managing Zambia’s largest national park for a period of 20 years. African Parks’ objectives are to improve the protection of the park’s wildlife and to increase tourist visits.
After several years of successful wildlife conservation, the Liwonde National Park in southern Malawi is being decongested. 250 elephants will be relocated from this reserve to the Kasungu National Park in the centre of the East African country. The operation, which will be carried out during July 2022 by the Malawi government and its partners, aims to alleviate pressure on the habitat and reduce human-wildlife conflicts.
The Malawi Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), the conservation organisation African Parks and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) are organising a new animal decongestion operation in Liwonde National Park in southern Malawi. The aim is to relocate 250 elephants. The pachyderms will be transported about 350 km by road from Liwonde National Park, managed by African Parks, to Kasungu National Park, supported by IFAW.
The translocation will take place between 27 June and 29 July 2022 as part of a national conservation initiative to maintain healthy habitats in Malawi’s national parks, establish viable elephant populations and ensure the safety of local communities living around the parks. « We are delighted to be working with long-standing partners African Parks and IFAW to invest in the protection of wildlife resources, while instilling pride in the people living around the parks who are part of the success of these biodiversity conservation areas, » says Brighton Kumchedwa, DNPW Director.
Sustaining the Kasungu elephant population
Kasungu National Park is currently home to 120 elephants, and has the potential to host more. According to IFAW, the addition of 250 individuals will ensure the viability of the population for the long-term conservation of the Kasungu elephants.
In addition to elephants, other wildlife including buffalo, impala, sable, warthog and waterbuck will also be translocated from Liwonde to Kasungu. It was in 2015 that DNPW partnered with African Parks to improve security and ecologically rehabilitate Liwonde National Park for the benefit of local people, wildlife, and tourism.
Between 2016 and 2017, African Parks undertook one of the largest elephant relocations in history by moving 520 elephants, 366 of which were relocated from Liwonde to repopulate the Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, also managed by African Parks.
Fanta Mabo
MALAWI: 250 elephants to leave Liwonde to repopulate Kasunga National Park
After several years of successful wildlife conservation, the Liwonde National Park in southern Malawi is being decongested. 250 elephants will be relocated from this reserve to the Kasungu National Park in the centre of the East African country. The operation, which will be carried out during July 2022 by the Malawi government and its partners, aims to alleviate pressure on the habitat and reduce human-wildlife conflicts.
After several years of successful wildlife conservation, the Liwonde National Park in southern Malawi is being decongested. 250 elephants will be relocated from this reserve to the Kasungu National Park in the centre of the East African country. The operation, which will be carried out during July 2022 by the Malawi government and its partners, aims to alleviate pressure on the habitat and reduce human-wildlife conflicts.
The Malawi Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), the conservation organisation African Parks and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) are organising a new animal decongestion operation in Liwonde National Park in southern Malawi. The aim is to relocate 250 elephants. The pachyderms will be transported about 350 km by road from Liwonde National Park, managed by African Parks, to Kasungu National Park, supported by IFAW.
The translocation will take place between 27 June and 29 July 2022 as part of a national conservation initiative to maintain healthy habitats in Malawi’s national parks, establish viable elephant populations and ensure the safety of local communities living around the parks. « We are delighted to be working with long-standing partners African Parks and IFAW to invest in the protection of wildlife resources, while instilling pride in the people living around the parks who are part of the success of these biodiversity conservation areas, » says Brighton Kumchedwa, DNPW Director.
Sustaining the Kasungu elephant population
Kasungu National Park is currently home to 120 elephants, and has the potential to host more. According to IFAW, the addition of 250 individuals will ensure the viability of the population for the long-term conservation of the Kasungu elephants.
In addition to elephants, other wildlife including buffalo, impala, sable, warthog and waterbuck will also be translocated from Liwonde to Kasungu. It was in 2015 that DNPW partnered with African Parks to improve security and ecologically rehabilitate Liwonde National Park for the benefit of local people, wildlife, and tourism.
Between 2016 and 2017, African Parks undertook one of the largest elephant relocations in history by moving 520 elephants, 366 of which were relocated from Liwonde to repopulate the Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, also managed by African Parks.
Fanta Mabo
MALAWI: 250 elephants to leave Liwonde to repopulate Kasunga National Park
After several years of successful wildlife conservation, the Liwonde National Park in southern Malawi is being decongested. 250 elephants will be relocated from this reserve to the Kasungu National Park in the centre of the East African country. The operation, which will be carried out during July 2022 by the Malawi government and its partners, aims to alleviate pressure on the habitat and reduce human-wildlife conflicts.