Announcement

African Parks Signs Agreement for 14th Park: Ennedi in Chad 

We are extremely pleased to share the good news that African Parks has signed an agreement with the Government of Chad to manage Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve, a World Heritage Site situated in the north-east of the country. Ennedi represents another unprecedented commitment by the Government of Chad in their long-term protection of their wild and culturally significant landscapes.
 
This agreement would not be possible without the generous support of our funding partners. The European Union has committed €4,7M, and it was just announced at their Annual Goed Geld Gala that the Dutch Postcode Lottery has also committed €2.9M for the management of the reserve.

At a sprawling 40,000 km2, the reserve is a uniquely sculpted sandstone landscape of extremely rich cultural heritage, with records of human presence dating back over 10,000 years.  It is uniquely characterised by immense rock arches, pillars, gorges, plateaus, and canyons that harbor permanent water sources creating a unique desert ecosystem. A relic population of crocodiles, over 525 species of flora and at least 199 bird species which pass through on their transcontinental migratory routes call the reserve home. It also harbours one of the largest and most significant rock art collections signifying the importance humans have played here over millennia. 

However, uncontrolled management and intensive poaching over the last 50 years have largely eradicated most of the wildlife that previously occurred in Ennedi. Unsustainable activities including poaching, farming practices, wood harvesting, unregulated vehicle activities and degradation of archaeological sites continue to threaten its natural and cultural assets.
 
But under this new agreement, the Republic of Chad and African Parks are committed to the full restoration and long-term protection of Ennedi and will engage and integrate local people in the conservation of the reserve. Management priorities include the development of needed infrastructure, initiating important law enforcement and conservation activities, including key species reintroductions, and improving tourism to bring needed revenue to the region.  Together with the Government and our partners, we aim to secure a future for this globally important natural and cultural World Heritage Site, for the benefit of the ecosystem and the thousands of people who rely on this reserve.

African Parks has spent 14 years securing protected areas across Africa, and the addition of Ennedi which is the 14th park to come under our management marks the achievement of reaching our goal of managing 10 million hectares by 2020.  

Read the full press release >