Statement Regarding Incident at the W National Park in Benin

Cotonou, 27 July - It is with deep regret that African Parks reports that on the night of 24th of July, five African Parks Rangers were killed in an attack by an unidentified armed group not far from the Mékrou River in W National Park, Benin.

Reports indicate that in the same incident, seven members of the Benin Armed Forces (Forces Armées Béninoises) were also killed.

African Parks has made arrangements to identify the bodies of its personnel and to inform the rangers’ families, for whom it will provide support at this tragic time. We send our condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and to staff who have lost their colleagues.

Further information will be provided as it becomes available.

-Ends-