Biodiversity Conservation

Garamba National Park, spanning 5,133 km2, with 9,662 km2 of adjacent domaines de chasse, is found in the transition zone between the equatorial forest of the Congo Basin and the Guinea-Sudano savannah, a mix of habitat that supports a wide range of species. Today, thanks to intensive conservation efforts, over 20,000 animals from 23 species can be found in the park, including elephant, lion, buffalo, giraffe and forest species such as chimpanzee, giant forest hog and golden cat, and recently translocated southern white rhino.

The elephant population in Garamba continues to increase thanks to the implementation of world-class technology and conservation strategies © Marcus Westberg

Prior to 2005, Garamba’s elephant were being poached at such an alarming rate that the species was experiencing negative population growth. Over the next 15 years, poaching was curtailed but the park continued to lose elephant and rangers to militant poaching groups. The trajectory shifted when African Parks overhauled the conservation law enforcement system in 2016. Since then, poaching decreased by 90% and the population has since stabilised. The Critically Endangered Kordofan giraffe population has grown exponentially, from 22 individuals in 2012 to over 90 in 2024, surpassing the projected population growth rate. Today, two giraffe populations exist in Garamba, one in the southern part of the park and another in the Gangala-na-Bodio Hunting Domain.

In an important step towards restoring Garamba’s ecological balance and biodiversity, 16 southern white rhino were successfully translocated from South Africa in 2023. It is hoped they are beginning to fulfil the same role as the now-extinct northern white rhino in the ecosystem.

Several monitoring programmes are running in Garamba, including fitting tracking devices to elephant to learn more about their movements. The Elephant Demographic Survey is an extensive historical database comprising 1.6 million data points from 183 elephant collars and tracking 143 individuals from 2009 to the present, making it one of the largest existing continuous datasets on elephant. Its 2023 results showed Garamba’s population to be stable. 

Camera traps have been used since 2021 in the three Domaines de Chasse surrounding Garamba National Park to document forest-dwelling wildlife and estimate the populations of key species such as chimpanzee. Over 100 camera traps have been deployed; those in Azande and Mondo Missa recorded species rarely seen in Garamba, including chimpanzee, white-bellied pangolin, sitatunga and bongo. A monitoring mission has confirmed the presence of a previously undocumented chimpanzee group in Mondo Missa region.

In collaboration with the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, Garamba advanced its monitoring strategy of the Kordofan giraffe population, tracking population growth and demographic shifts. These repeated surveys help build a clearer picture of trends and changes in the population over time. With the populations’ security in good standing, Garamba has begun to investigate the challenge that inbreeding may pose, given the initial small number of individuals. As a result, 22 biopsy samples were collected in 2024 to assess genetic diversity, with plans to expand sampling of the population. This research, along with strong partnerships and dedicated conservation efforts, will inform prospective strategies to ensure a viable population for generations to come, securing the future of one of Africa’s iconic species. 

Between 2005 and 2016, widespread insecurity due to armed forces continued to threaten the safety of communities and wildlife. By implementing new systems to revise conservation law enforcement, Garamba’s rangers have brought a level of stability through upholding the rule of law.

Leadership and instructor training for the teams take place annually, as well as refresher training for first-aid and human rights.