Biodiversity Conservation

Straddling the Sahelian and the Saharan areas of north-east Chad, the Ennedi Massif is a water-rich desert landscape associated with the presence of large ephemeral streams and semi-permanent pools of water, or gueltas. This water gives life to the desert, enabling Ennedi to support an astonishing diversity of life, including over 525 species of flora.

In 2023, African Parks and local representatives signed a convention to conserve the unique ecosystem of Guelta d’Archei and the last West African crocodiles that reside in its waters. Since then, coordinated actions have been underway to balance human needs while safeguarding this “Eden of the Sahara.”

Ennedi’s wildlife populations are a management priority, involving several measures including regular ecological data collection, long-term monitoring of key species, and the reintroduction of locally extinct species. Chad is home to a viable population of red-necked ostrich, as well as a small population of addax antelope; in-situ conservation for both species is essential to their survival.

Red-necked ostriches have been returned to Ennedi as part of a restoration project © African Parks

In 2023, in an effort to re-establish species previously lost to the landscape, a pilot group of ten addax antelope was reintroduced to Ennedi from Abu Dhabi in partnership with the Chadian Government, Sahara Conservation and the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi. Maintaining this healthy population is part of the ultimate goal to establish a healthy, viable population exceeding 500 individuals of both addax and oryx, a vital step in securing the long-term survival of the species and restoring Ennedi’s ecosystem.

This has been followed by the reintroduction of the red-necked ostrich to Ennedi, brought from Zakouma National Park in 2021. The number of ostriches has doubled since then, with more than 80 ostriches and 50 chicks now inhabiting the reserve. Sougounaw Farm in Fada, which houses a subpopulation of 10 birds, aligns with international breeding standards to create a secure environment for the ostriches to mature before being released into the reserve. With this successful reintroduction, a solid foundation for the continued rewilding of the ENCR has been laid. 

Through the dedication of 13 eco-monitors, key species such as red-necked ostrich, addax, dorcas gazelle, Barbary sheep and West African crocodile are closely monitored, providing improved data collection and critical insights into the health and distribution of these species. 

Efforts have also been dedicated to establishing a solid biodiversity inventory. An aerial survey for wildlife and domestic fauna has been completed, camera traps used to capture wildlife in the reserve, and various studies and surveys conducted. 

Conservation law enforcement team carry out monitoring, patrols and surveillance © Elsa Bussière

Effective conservation measures have been implemented to safeguard Ennedi’s large mammals, which are still subject to the pressures of unsustainable resource utilisation. To conserve Ennedi’s wildlife and help enhance environmental awareness amongst local communities, a dedicated team of 60 rangers cover more than 50,000 km by motorised, camel and foot patrols daily.

In 2024, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed with the Chadian National and Nomad Guard (GNNT) and the Directorate of Wildlife and Protected Areas to bolster the reserve’s security framework. Foot, vehicular, and camel-mounted patrols (meharis) cover some 57,000 km, helping to mitigate illegal activities within the reserve. Ranger teams, information analysis staff and eco-monitors benefit from capacity-building programmes, including exchange visits to other parks, advanced medical training, human rights training and literacy courses.

A control room serves to improve communication and team monitoring on the ground, while camel patrols monitor the reserve’s least accessible areas, particularly in the mountains, a prime habitat for Barbary sheep. All efforts are coordinated through close collaboration with local communities and regional authorities.

The presence of humans in the Ennedi landscape dates back over 10,000 years to the Neolithic period. Mausoleums and hundreds of engravings and rock paintings bear testament to this continuity of human presence; their illustrations depicting 16 different styles and three distinct eras of rock art. Over a thousand archaeological sites have been recorded.

In 2024, nine archaeological missions uncovered 348 previously hidden sites, revealing ancient rock art, workshops, and traces of past civilisations. In partnership with UNESCO and global experts, ENCR is developing conservation strategies, with key sites explored further to secure their cultural recognition.