Biodiversity Conservation

Chinko forms 64,000km2 of continuous wilderness comprising savannah and tropical forest, mixed habitats that have resulted in extraordinary wildlife diversity. Remarkably, over the past decades, the ecosystem has largely remained intact with remnant populations of key species. A sound conservation and management approach has helped to improve security within Chinko’s core area, and wildlife numbers are stabilising and increasing. In this largely under-researched area, a rich diversity of species is being documented. 

Chinko is one of the only protected areas in the world where both forest and savannah elephant coexist and is the ideal habitat for transition species such as the lowland bongo, giant forest hog and yellow-backed duiker; numbers indicate that it is home to the largest protected population of these species in the world. In addition, Chinko’s vast expanse is providing one of the last places in Africa within which wild dog can thrive.

According to research and monitoring efforts, Chinko the Central African Republic (CAR), could host the largest protected population of bongo antelope in the world © African Parks

Ongoing biological monitoring continues to document the recovery of key wildlife populations. The annual inventory of flagship wildlife species, conducted by ECHO (conservation) monitors, surveyed 1,117 km of transects, and found that key wildlife populations have either stabilised or continued to grow. For example, together with Zakouma National Park, Chinko now contains the largest buffalo population in West and Central Africa. Some 50 camera traps are actively gathering data, overall showing a steady recovery of wildlife such as giant eland and defassa waterbuck, as well as confirming the presence of elephant and hippo in that region. After the northern lion population had become locally extinct in some areas, increasing numbers and range expansion is being observed.

Eastern chimpanzees have been confirmed through camera trap observations and vocalisations in northern Chinko. This significant finding has increased the known distribution range of chimpanzee in the eastern CAR wilderness.

Chinko operates in a complex environment that must consider not only direct threats to conservation, but also regional insecurity, a complex governance environment, and high levels of poverty among both sedentary and nomadic populations in the periphery. The sustainability and wellbeing of the park, its wildlife, and surrounding communities go hand in hand in helping the long-term viability of the entire area.

Rangers regularly undergo leadership training, with lectures on conservation law enforcement, biodiversity, human rights and first aid. Through extensive tracking and surveillance within Chinko, 60 ECHO (conservation) monitors document wildlife populations and habitats, and actively manage the fringes of the park, interacting with local hunters, fishermen, miners, honey gatherers, loggers and other members of settled communities.

Since 2016, TANGO teams – Transhumance Sensitisation Officers employed from local communities – have engaged with transhumance herders coming into CAR from Sudan, guiding them to herd their cattle towards designated corridors to avoid sensitive wildlife habitats. During the transhumance season, TANGO teams spend up to six months in the field on the periphery of the protected area, raising awareness of the value of conservation, and promoting a sustainable grazing approach. This creative solution also fosters peaceful coexistence between nomadic pastoralists and sedentary communities in eastern CAR.