The Congo Basin spans across six countries: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
There are approximately 10,000 tropical plant species in the Congo Basin, of which an estimated 30% are unique to the region. Endangered wildlife, including forest elephants, chimpanzees, bonobos, and lowland and mountain gorillas inhabit the lush forests. 400 other species of mammals, 1,000 species of birds and 700 species of fish can also be found here.
The Congo Basin has been inhabited by humans for more than 50,000 years and it provides food, fresh water and shelter to more than 80 million people. Nearly 250 distinct ethnic groups exist, and the region’s Ba’Aka people are among the most well known representatives of an ancient hunter-gatherer lifestyle. Their lives and well-being are linked intimately with the forest.
News Update
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Republic of Congo takes unprecedented decision on large-scale agriculture in forest areas
WWF has welcomed the decision by the government of the Republic of Congo to regulate the opening up of new plantations in the ...
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Decoding Conservation: How the lands and ecosystems that wildlife and communities depend upon are protected
The word ‘conservation’ often conjures up images of iconic wildlife such as elephants, whales, tigers and pandas. One imagines ...
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DRC: Ivory burn initiative, a strong signal in the fight against poaching
The DRC President burnt more than a ton of ivory and pangolin scales on 30 September 2018.
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MAÏ-NDOMBE : Remarkable achievements with the Integrated REDD+ project - PIREDD
Remarkable achievements with more than one thousand hectares replanted and subsistence agriculture practiced allowing people to ...