Chinko

In the far eastern region of the Central African Republic (CAR), in one of Africa’s most remote and volatile regions, Chinko is a remarkable story of hope and success. Since 2014, when the CAR Government invited African Parks into a management partnership for Chinko, wildlife has begun to return and stability, in a region once fraught with civil war, poaching and lawlessness, is becoming a reality. In 2020, a revised agreement for a further 25 years was signed, which included the Functional Landscape of Chinko and taking the area under management to over 64,000 km².

Poaching and uncontrolled pastoralism in the core park area have been reduced, so that wildlife populations, from elephant and giant eland to lion and hyaena, have stabilised and are increasing. Through participatory land-use planning, and the recruitment of Transhumance Engagement Officers (TANGO agents; transhumance is the seasonal movement of livestock herders between grazing areas) from the local herding communities, sustainable grazing practices and respect for the protected area boundaries and corridors are encouraged and promoted. Through this transhumance engagement programme, the corridors and park boundaries have been adhered to and both herders and sedentary communities report improved safety for their families and livestock. Thousands of people from some of the world’s most vulnerable communities are beginning to feel the value of Chinko.

Anchored in potentially the largest functional tropical wilderness in Africa, Chinko is of critical regional importance to conservation.

 

 

Chinko Highlights

• Chinko's core protected area, free of livestock and habitat degradation, has increased from 5,000 km2 to 25,000 km2 where wildlife numbers are steadily on the rise.
• Camera-trap data have confirmed that herbivore populations are steadily increasing, including giant eland, west central African buffalo, and defassa waterbuck, while the northern lion population is increasing and expanding its range.
• A few hundred wild dog observed Chinko, it is providing one of the few vast expanses in Africa to offer the space the species needs to thrive.
• Chinko is the largest employer outside of the capital of Bangui with more than 380 nationals employed.
• The Chinko community team continues to develop local value chains with the communities by promoting and training sustainable livelihood practices with hunters, fishermen, farmers, and pastoralists.

Partners

Chinko is in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the CAR Ministry of Water and Forests, Hunting and Fishing (MEFCP). This partnership assures that Chinko protects the ecosystem, supports local communities and maintains economic value by providing the key to a sustainable future for this vast ecosystem.

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