In a time where global biodiversity is under increasing pressure...742 new species have been discovered in the Congo Basin in past ten years. A good news to kick off the year!
A Biodiversity Hotspot in Danger
The Congo Basin abounding with life is a fusion of forests, savannahs, swamps, rivers and flooded forests. In total, more than 400 mammal species, 1000 bird species and 700 fish species are hosted in the zone.
The region equally brims with natural resources such as wood, diamond and petrol but current volumes and extraction methods are not usable in the long run. Also, hunting and poaching are a threat to many species. Bush meat trade caused by an increasing market is stripping the forest at an alarming speed. Antelopes and monkeys especially are usual targets. This situation is worsened by climate change effects....
Many species disappear without being completely studied!
Preserving Africa’s green heart!
For WWF, the Congo Basin is a primary zone. In 2005, we took part in the first regional African treaty on conservation which was the climax of the Yaoundé Summit. It enabled the creation of 4.5 million hectares of protected areas, strengthened the promotion of responsible forestry exploitation and especially established an unprecedented international corporation.
The WWF since then plays a key role in the fight against illegal commerce, especially via its TRAFFIC network, the greatest global trade surveillance network for wildlife species. We encourage the signing of agreements between governments to ease free movement of cross-border park personnel and joint patrols in order to reinforce anti-poaching operations.
Thanks to conservation efforts, the number of mountain gorillas in the VIRUNGA National Part went from 380 to 480 in less than ten years.
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