Wildlife Conservation: Dr Congo Expands Protected Areas in Salonga National Park to Save Endangered Bonobos

Hauwa Ali

In a major conservation effort, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has expanded the protected areas within Salonga National Park, one of Africa’s largest and most biodiverse rainforests.

This expansion aims to protect the critically endangered bonobos, which are found only in the DRC and face threats from habitat destruction, hunting, and deforestation. This move reflects the DRC’s growing commitment to preserving its natural heritage and safeguarding a species that shares 98.7% of its DNA with humans.

Spanning more than 36,000 square kilometers, Salonga National Park is the DRC’s largest national park and the second-largest tropical rainforest reserve in the world. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its rich biodiversity, which includes endangered species like the forest elephant, Congo peafowl, and the bonobo. Salonga is one of the few remaining places where bonobos, our closest living relatives, still survive in the wild.

Despite its status, Salonga has been threatened by illegal activities, including logging, mining, and poaching, as well as by agricultural expansion and human settlement encroaching on the park’s boundaries. These activities have fragmented bonobo habitats, making it challenging for the species to find sufficient food, shelter, and safe areas for reproduction. Conservationists argue that protecting bonobos in Salonga is critical not only to prevent their extinction but also to preserve one of the world’s most essential carbon sinks.

Bonobos, known for their peaceful social structures and unique behavioral traits, are one of humanity’s closest relatives. They are famous for their cooperative social dynamics and are considered a keystone species, meaning their presence indicates the health of their environment. The decline in their population is an urgent warning sign of environmental degradation.

In response to the ongoing threats, the DRC government has extended protected areas within Salonga National Park. This decision was influenced by collaboration with international conservation organizations, including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Bonobo Conservation Initiative (BCI). These organizations have been instrumental in conducting ecological surveys, providing funding, and facilitating anti-poaching training for park rangers.

The expanded protection zone is intended to create a secure corridor for bonobos, ensuring they can move freely without coming into contact with human activities. The new regulations include stricter controls on logging, hunting, and agriculture within the park’s extended boundaries. Officials hope that these measures will prevent further habitat loss and create a more stable environment for bonobo populations to grow.

“This expansion is a significant step forward for bonobo conservation and for Salonga’s biodiversity as a whole,” said Dr. Albert Nsimba, Director of the DRC Institute for Nature Conservation. “Protecting more land means reducing the likelihood of human-wildlife conflict, and it will allow us to strengthen our anti-poaching measures in areas that were previously vulnerable.”

One unique aspect of the Salonga expansion is the involvement of local communities in conservation efforts. The DRC government, with support from NGOs, has been working to incorporate local stakeholders into conservation plans. Through community-based programs, locals are being trained as park rangers and conservation stewards, giving them employment while reducing dependence on logging or hunting in protected areas.

“The communities around Salonga depend on the forest for their livelihoods, but they also understand its value as a heritage site,” said Marie-Josee Mpela, a project coordinator with WWF. “By involving local people in the protection of Salonga, we are building trust and fostering sustainable practices that benefit both the park and the surrounding communities.”

To further incentivize community involvement, the government and conservation partners have introduced sustainable livelihood programs, such as agroforestry, eco-tourism, and alternative energy projects. These initiatives aim to provide communities with economic alternatives that do not compromise the integrity of the park’s ecosystems.

A crucial part of the conservation strategy is to increase patrols within the expanded protected areas. Poaching has long been a challenge in Salonga, with hunters targeting both bonobos and forest elephants for bushmeat and ivory. Conservationists report that organized poaching rings often exploit the park’s vast and dense terrain, making enforcement difficult.

The expansion has allowed for the deployment of additional rangers, many of whom are recruited from surrounding communities and trained in anti-poaching tactics, wildlife monitoring, and conflict resolution. Conservation organizations have also introduced high-tech tools, such as drones and camera traps, to aid patrols in tracking poachers and monitoring wildlife populations.

“We’re equipping our rangers with the skills and tools necessary to protect Salonga’s wildlife,” said Dr. Daniel Ntambwe, a conservation manager with the Bonobo Conservation Initiative. “The expanded protected areas allow us to focus our resources more effectively and reduce the high rate of poaching within the park.”

Expanding Salonga’s protected areas is expected to benefit not only the bonobos but also the park’s broader ecosystem, which supports countless species. Salonga’s rainforests play a vital role in global carbon storage, absorbing significant amounts of CO₂ and helping to combat climate change. By preserving the park’s forests, the DRC contributes to climate mitigation efforts, making Salonga a valuable asset not only to Africa but also to the global community.

The expanded protection zone represents a critical commitment to preserving Africa’s biodiversity and reflects the DRC’s dedication to sustainable environmental management. With continued support from local communities and international conservation organizations, Salonga’s bonobos and other endangered species now have a better chance of survival.

For many conservationists, the Salonga expansion symbolizes hope for other endangered habitats across Africa facing similar threats. As one of the few strongholds for bonobos, Salonga serves as a reminder of the fragile relationship between humans and nature, and the importance of protecting our planet’s remaining wildernesses.

Source: DRC Institute for Nature Conservation, Bonobo Conservation Initiative, World Wildlife Fund (WWF)