African Parks Network

Healthy livestock, secure livelihoods. Veterinarian Abdoulaye Boubakar Yero works in and around Pendjari and W National Parks in Benin, West Africa. Cattle are a mainstay of the local economy, and yet these livestock are at risk from diseases such as bovine pasteurellosis, contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), and anthrax. With the support of African Parks and under the guidance of Abdoulaye, almost 100,000 cattle were vaccinated in 2024. Abdoulaye also leads proactive disease prevention initiatives, including screening for diseases. These programmes help safeguard wildlife and protect livelihoods. Read our latest blog to learn more: https://lnkd.in/d72d9qni 📷 Marcus Westberg #Benin #PendjariNationalPark #WNationalPark #CommunityConservation #AfricanParks

Imagine if your favourite place in the world only existed for a few months each year? Naturally, you’d want to make sure you got to spend time there before it disappeared again. That could explain the many bookings already received for Jenje Bush Camp in Matusadona National Park, Zimbabwe. This small, intimate camp opens again on the 1st of May, in a truly delightful location at the confluence of two rivers – the Jenje, from which it takes its name, and the Biriwiri. With just five tents and power supplied by the sun, Jenje is a genuine light-impact ecotourism offering – and your stay will help support conservation and community development efforts in Matusadona. 📸 Donal Boyd #matusadonanationalpark #MatusadonaNationalPark #Conservation #WildlifeExperience #Zimbabwe #Safari #AfricanParks

Akagera National Park’s rangers play a crucial role in safeguarding Rwanda’s wildlife and landscapes. Their dedication to conservation is bearing remarkable fruit – 2024 saw them spend 25,832 days in the field, covering 129,864 km on foot patrols. As a result, illegal activities have reached record lows, and wildlife populations continue to grow. The success of the Akagera rangers has also made it possible for both lion and black rhino to be reintroduced. Beyond the park, these committed individuals engage with communities through education and dialogue. Such conversations are fostering a shared commitment to conservation, building communities that celebrate and conserve their natural treasures. Akagera’s achievements are proof that collaboration and long-term conservation efforts can create a future where both nature and communities benefit. 📷 1 & 3 Marcus Westberg 2&4 Marion Paayr #akageranationalpark #wildlifeperfection #wildliferangers #natureconservation

Celebrating Tradition and Conservation Today the Lozi people of Zambia celebrate the historic Kuomboka Ceremony in Liuwa Plain National Park, Zambia – a time-honoured tradition that marks the annual movement of His Mejesty, Litunga Lubosi Imwiko II, the Lozi king, from his flooded palace in Lealui in the Barotse Floodplain to his dry-season palace in Limulunga, which is on higher ground. Under the guidance of King Litunga, the Lozi people gather to honour their landscape and its wildlife, for which they remain the custodians. This year’s ceremony is particularly special as it also marks the 25th anniversary of the Litunga, who has not only guided his people but also played an integral role in ensuring the conservation of Liuwa Plain. Over 20 years ago, the Litunga was instrumental in ensuring the management agreement for Liuwa Plain with African Parks in 2003, and has since maintained an active role in guiding the project through the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE). Today the BRE, the Government of Zambia, and African Parks continue to work hand in hand to conserve Liuwa, ensuring that both people and wildlife can coexist in this important landscape. As the Kuomboka Ceremony is celebrated this year, we reflect on the importance of this partnership and the role it plays in conserving the rich heritage and biodiversity of Liuwa. 📷 AJ #liuwaplainnationalpark #kuombokaceremony #wildlife #community #conservation

Caught on camera Camera traps provide a non-intrusive way of monitoring wildlife. They can also produce genuinely thrilling images, as this picture from Chinko in the eastern Central African Republic show. Taken in the Yassa Lake area, they corroborate tracking evidence which has pointed to lion numbers in Chinko now having exceeded the 2012 population. In other words, there are now more lions living in Chinko than at any time before human encroachment into this protected area began. Along with tracking data, the camera traps are helping to give researchers a clearer picture of the status of various species within the park, including African forest elephant, eastern chimpanzee and African wild dogs, as well as lion. Positive news from Chinko is especially welcome, as the fringes of the park are under threat from the conversion of wilderness habitat into grazing areas for cattle. The Rainforest Trust is actively supporting land management programmes that encourage herders to graze their cattle outside the conservation area. It is also expanding the zone designed to limit human-wildlife interaction – by the end of 2024, this area covered more than 20,000 km2. #Chinko #CentralAfricanRepublic #RainforestTrust #AfricanParks #Lions #Chimpanzees #Elephants #ConservationInAction

🌳 Gorilla Habituation in Odzala🦍 🎥 🎥 A gorilla habituation team has been following the ‘Kassa’ family group of western lowland gorillas in Imbalanga, to the east of Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Republic of Congo, since 2023. By gradually habituating these gorillas to the presence of humans, the team is creating opportunities for researchers to learn more about their group dynamics, behaviour and movements. They’re also enabling future responsible ecotourism initiatives. Habituation is sensitive work, with strict protocols in place to avoid disturbing the gorillas, changing their behaviour or exposing them to any risk of catching human diseases. It’s a painstaking task, but, as you can see from this video taken by Gloire Bitelomono, it is very definitely worth it. Enjoy watching the latest very special encounter with the Kassa group – conservation in action!

Akagera National Park, Rwanda is using radio broadcast programs to keep local communities updated on park activities, conservation challenges, and success stories. The team’s monthly broadcasts on local radio stations cover various topics, from new developments and opportunities to inspiring narratives about the park's wildlife and ecology. Through these stories, they hope to motivate and inspire the next generation of conservationists, particularly those living near protected areas. #radio #stories #Akagera #Conservation #Rwanda #AfricanParks

🐘💦 Splash Time in Pendjari! There’s nothing quite like watching elephant enjoy a refreshing swim! In Pendjari National Park, Benin, these gentle giants gather around a small pond, splashing, playing, and cooling off under the scorching sun. 🌞 But did you know their love for mud baths and swims serves a purpose? 🌊 Cooling Off – Elephants don’t sweat, so water helps regulate their body temperature. 🛡️ Sun Protection – Mud acts as a natural sunscreen, shielding their skin from the harsh sun. 🦟 Pest Control – A thick layer of mud keeps pesky insects like flies and ticks away. 💦 Skin Care – Water and mud prevent dryness, keeping their skin healthy. 💙 Social Bonding – Bath time is also playtime, strengthening bonds within the herd. Pendjari is one of the last strongholds for savanna elephants in West Africa, making its conservation crucial. #ElephantLove #MudBathMagic #WildlifeConservation #PendjariNationalPark #AfricanParks

Sowing seeds. W National Park in Benin places an equal emphasis on conservation and community development as part of its holistic management plan. This includes launching a training programme in agricultural entrepreneurship for the benefit of 20 young people living near the park. Funded by the Wyss foundation, the training programme allowed participants to acquire technical and management skills including establishing forest nurseries, breeding laying hens, guineafowl and other poultry, breeding of local and broiler chickens, technical and economic farm management, agri-food processing, sustainable agriculture, beekeeping, fish farming, pig farming and market gardening. After a two-month stay at the K-D-K Training Centre in Parakou, participants received their certificates on February the 14th, 2025. “My field of training is pig farming. I chose this area because it presents an interesting economic opportunity for rural communities. Pig farming is a profitable activity that can contribute to improving living conditions and food security,” said trainee Armand Gounou.     These young people now have the necessary tools to become agricultural entrepreneurs, able to meet their own needs and to contribute to the development of their communities. By supporting them in acquiring agri-entrepreneurship skills, W National Park is enabling livelihoods and reducing potential pressure on its own resources.   “At the training centre, I had to review poultry farming techniques. I plan to put the concepts learned into practice and better develop my activity for the benefit of my community. I also plan to mobilise other young people like me to share my experience,” said Zakari Mohamadou, another beneficiary of the programme.     The 2025 programme graduates – chosen from among the many unemployed young people living in the villages of Kandi, Banikoara, Malanville and Karimama – are now hoping to follow in the footsteps of the class of 2024, all of whom are now involved in sustainable farming activities and local businesses. #WBeninNationalPark #Benin #Conservation #CommunityDevelopment #Agriculture #Entrepreneurship #Training 

Liwonde’s Beacon of Education Celebrating a year of inspiration at Liwonde’s Environmental Education Centre! Since its reopening in 2024, this dynamic hub has welcomed over 4,900 students, igniting a passion for nature and conservation. With upgraded facilities, including comfortable hostels, students immerse themselves in Liwonde’s breathtaking landscapes and wildlife, with 664 visitors staying overnight—69% receiving sponsorship. One student from Namandanje CDSS remarked, “This experience has been truly transformative... I’m deeply thankful for this incredible opportunity.” As we continue to foster a love for the environment, we’re shaping a generation dedicated to conserving our natural world. Read more about this centre in our latest blog: https://lnkd.in/dGywEKmh 📷 Susan Chimbaza #Liwonde #EnvironmentalEducation #Conservation