African Parks Delegation Meets His Excellency President Idriss Deby over Protection of Wildlife in Chad

The Chadian President, His Excellency Idriss Deby, along with a senior Chadian Government delegation, met with an African Parks delegation on April 1 to discuss the protection of wildlife resources in Chad.

The African Parks delegation comprised Jean-Marc Froment, Conservation Director for Francophone Africa, Rian Labuschagne, Zakouma Park Manager and Nicole Mollo representing private American donors. In addition to the President, the Chadian delegation comprised the Prime Minister, the Minister of Environment and Water Resources, the Minister of Tourism and Craft Trade, the General Secretary of the Presidency and the Director of the Civil Cabinet of the Head of State.

During the meeting the President expressed his appreciation of the efforts made by African Parks, in terms of its agreement with the Chadian Government, to secure Zakouma National Park and its elephant population. He further requested that African Parks work together with the Ministry of Environment to compile a national conservation strategy for the last remaining elephant populations in Chad.

President Deby also emphasized the importance of the development of tourism in Chad and the essential role of the country’s protected areas as well as cultural and historical heritage in achieving this. Nicole Mollo, representing the donor community, congratulated President Deby for Zakouma’s achievements in protecting its elephants and conveyed the message that the donor community was willing to support the Chadian Government and African Parks in their efforts to protect wildlife in Chad.