Salonga National Park
Country
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Inscribed in
1984
Criteria
(vii)
(ix)
The conservation outlook for this site has been assessed as "significant concern" in the latest assessment cycle. Explore the Conservation Outlook Assessment for the site below. You have the option to access the summary, or the detailed assessment.
Salonga National Park is Africa's largest tropical rainforest reserve. Situated at the heart of the central basin of the Congo river, the park is very isolated and accessible only by water. It is the habitat of many endemic endangered species, such as the dwarf chimpanzee, the Congo peacock, the forest elephant and the African slender-snouted or 'false' crocodile. © UNESCO
Summary
2025 Conservation Outlook
Finalised on
11 أكتوبر 2025
Significant concern
Current state and trend of VALUES
High Concern
Overall THREATS
Overall PROTECTION and MANAGEMENT
Full assessment
Description of values
Vast area of intact lowland tropical rainforest covering a wide range of habitats with high biodiversity
Criterion
(vii)
Salonga National Park, situated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, represents Central Africa’s last and biggest fully intact block of evergreen lowland rainforest. With its 33,500 km², divided into two blocks separated by an inhabited 25-50 km-wide corridor (8,500 km²), Salonga National Park is not only Africa’s largest protected area of tropical rainforest, it also includes vast marshland areas and almost inaccessible gallery forests, which can be considered as practically virgin (World Heritage Committee, 2012). Its wide range of habitats (primary forest, secondary forest, periodically and permanently flooded forest, savannah islands, dense river network) results in high biodiversity. The headwaters of some of the Congo basin’s most important rivers, containing fish stocks that millions of people depend on downstream, are protected within the Salonga National Park and fish diversity is very high (Iyaba and Stiassny, 2013). Because of its vast size it likely plays a critical role in the regulation of local climate and constitutes a significant carbon sink (Xu et al., 2017).
An example of biological evolution and the adaptation of life forms in a complex equatorial rainforest environment
Criterion
(ix)
The plant and animal life in Salonga National Park constitute an example of biological evolution and the adaptation of life forms in a complex equatorial rainforest environment. The large size of the park ensures the continued possibility for evolution of both species and biotic communities within the relatively undisturbed forest (World Heritage Committee, 2012). Salonga National Park is likely to be the most important site for emblematic species such as the endemic bonobo (Pan paniscus), Congo peacock (Afropavo congensis) and one of the last strongholds of forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) in the Congo basin (Bessone et al., 2020), despite their low densities resulting from poaching (Hart et al., 2008). The vast size of the park makes it an important source area not only for these flagship species, but also for all other organisms living therein. The value of Salonga National Park resides in its ecosystem as a whole: a critically important reservoir of a peculiar, interdependent biodiversity that may serve as reservoir benefitting local communities outside due to the spillover effect replenishing adjacent areas. Similar to the elephant, the bonobo is important for maintaining the forest composition due to seed dispersal. Being mega-gardeners, these species guarantee the long-term viability of the forest that all other organisms depend on, while at the same time they contribute to this highly interconnected biological web (Beaune et al., 2013a; 2013b; 2013c).
A source for the discovery of new species
The large size of the park, its remoteness, as well as past political insecurity have contributed to Salonga National Park being one of the least known and explored parks in Central Africa. Although vertebrates are said to be relatively well known (with the exception of some mammals such as rodents and bats; and some amphibians, fishes and reptiles), investigations continue revealing new species (e.g. Bernt & Stiassny, 2022; Prozorov et al., 2021; Pett et al., 2023; Hutterer et al., 2024; Pett, 2024). All other taxa are mostly, if not completely, unexplored by science. This peculiar situation allows opportunities for the discovery of new species (Jocque et al., 2023).
Assessment information
For many years, the presence of armed militia and large-scale commercial poaching within the property have been a significant threat to the property's values, leading to a major impact on emblematic and endemic species (forest elephant, bonobo). Major anti-poaching measures by the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN) through the joint ‘Operation Bonobo’ with the Congolese army FARDC, have removed armed forces from the property and significantly reduced large-scale commercial poaching, however the threat of poaching continues within the property, especially in remote areas. Illegal and unsustainable fishing activities persist. Deforestation does not appear to be a significant threat to the integrity of the property, however slash and burn agriculture continues within the property and may increase the pressure as the local population grows. The long-term ecological integrity of the site remains threatened by the fact that the corridor between the northern and southern blocks needs to be strengthened to ensure a viable ecological link. Overall, threats to the property remain, however these are being addressed through increasing anti-poaching measures taken by the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN) and implemented by the property’s manager, and improved park management resulting from the co-management between ICCN and WWF since 2016.
Fishing, Harvesting & Controlling Aquatic Species
(Illegal fishing)
Inside site
, Throughout(>50%)
Outside site
Illegal fishing is still widespread in the property, often associated with bushmeat hunting and elephant poaching. Since 2020, there has been a slight improvement as the surveillance coverage of the property has significantly increased (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2022; 2024) Furthermore, efforts have been made through a series of workshops on sustainable fishing in the Monkoto corridor. This activity was carried out in four sites and aimed to support the Monkoto fishermen's network in developing local fishing standards to promote the sustainable management of fishery resources in the landscape (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2024).
Other Human Disturbances
(Separation of the southern and northern blocks)
Inside site
, Extent of threat not known
Outside site
The 2012 UNESCO/IUCN Reactive monitoring mission raised concerns that the only remaining part of the corridor that fulfills the role of linking the northern and southern blocks of the park was in the south-east part of the corridor (IUCN and UNESCO, 2012), which benefits from lower human density and an intact forest not very different from the interior of the property. It was also noted that the establishment of the ecological continuum between the two blocks is a complex administrative process that will likely take several years and recommended that the current efforts to minimize the impacts of human activities (e.g. fishing, shifting slash and burn agriculture) on the OUV of the property and its integrity, be continued and consolidated (IUCN/UNESCO, 2020). To this end, efforts are concentrating on supporting local communities in their efforts to manage their forests using a FPIC-type approach (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2024). Those efforts still need to be pursued and strengthened in the future in order to establish an ecological continuum between the two blocks as soon as possible and thus secure the preservation of this area which is of the utmost importance for maintaining the OUV of the property and its functional integrity.
Conflict, Civil Unrest & Security Activities
(Presence of armed militia)
Inside site
, Throughout(>50%)
Outside site
In 2011, an armed rebellion set up a quasi-independent administration in the park creating insecurity and no-go areas for ICCN. A joint operation with the Congolese army FARDC entitled ‘Operation Bonobo’ which concluded in 2016 had success in restoring the rule of law and in acting as a strong deterrent for further insecurity. In 2020, the State Party reported that armed groups are no longer operating in the property and a FARDC military company remains stationed in Monkoto in the event of any further joint actions required with ICCN ecoguards, whose mission it is to also pursue security and safety intelligence. Furthermore, a monitoring strategy has been adopted for the property since 2018 (IUCN and UNESCO, 2020). Since then, no armed group has been reported, even if the complete eradication of militia cannot be confirmed.
Hunting, Collecting & Controlling Terrestrial Animals
(Commercial poaching for ivory and bushmeat hunting)
Inside site
, Throughout(>50%)
Outside site
Poaching for ivory and bushmeat commerce (involving the majority of vertebrate species) has been high in past years and has thus affected the biodiversity values of the park. The demand for bushmeat comes from cities outside the park, such as Mbandaka and Boende to the north; Lodja, Kole, Ilebo and Kananga to the south; as well as cities all the way to the capital, Kinshasa. The Congolese military (since the late 1970s for ivory) and local elites (administrative and traditional authorities) have also reportedly been involved in this illegal activity (ICCN, 2011; IUCN and UNESCO, 2007; 2012). However, a large-scale anti-poaching operation "Operation Bonobo" was implemented to address commercial poaching, which has led to the significant reduction of large-scale poaching, particularly of elephants and bonobo.
Nonetheless, guard patrol data and biological survey data indicate that poaching continues to persist (IUCN and UNESCO, 2020). In the park's north block, poaching pressure originates mainly from the south-east, where park delimitation is incomplete and guard patrol posts have not yet been installed. Similarly, in the park's south block, commercial hunting pressure comes from the south-west of the property, from towns along the Lukenie and Lokoro rivers. The long-planned (Ilambu 2006) installation of a guard Stations at Longolongo (north block) and Bombole (south block) and the ongoing participative park demarcation in the area (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2022; 2024) are promising elements to counter this threat, but are yet to be fully implemented. Furthermore, the property’s administration has stepped up its action against poaching in conjunction with local corruption and the public services, strengthened the operational capacities of staff through training, rejuvenated the staff of the LAB unit and modernised the operations coordination centre in order to improving the internal communication system (ICCN, 2024). Efforts have also been made to raise the awareness of local communities (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2022; 2024). Overall, these efforts have led to significantly reduce large-scale poaching. Subsistence poaching, however, remains a threat to the preservation of the property, as does the illegal bushmeat trade in general. Surveillance rates in the past year covered between 50-65% of the property, but an increase to 80% is recommended to effectively combat illegal activities (UNESCO, 2023). A study on the characterization of hunting practices in the Monkoto corridor highlighted the persistence of poaching and unsustainable hunting practices (such as trapping and night hunting), targeting artiodactyls (50%), rodents (20%), primates (19%), and pangolins (11%). According to the surveyed hunters, overexploitation, population growth, and the lack of a regulated hunting calendar are responsible for the perceived decline in game species (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2024).
Nonetheless, guard patrol data and biological survey data indicate that poaching continues to persist (IUCN and UNESCO, 2020). In the park's north block, poaching pressure originates mainly from the south-east, where park delimitation is incomplete and guard patrol posts have not yet been installed. Similarly, in the park's south block, commercial hunting pressure comes from the south-west of the property, from towns along the Lukenie and Lokoro rivers. The long-planned (Ilambu 2006) installation of a guard Stations at Longolongo (north block) and Bombole (south block) and the ongoing participative park demarcation in the area (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2022; 2024) are promising elements to counter this threat, but are yet to be fully implemented. Furthermore, the property’s administration has stepped up its action against poaching in conjunction with local corruption and the public services, strengthened the operational capacities of staff through training, rejuvenated the staff of the LAB unit and modernised the operations coordination centre in order to improving the internal communication system (ICCN, 2024). Efforts have also been made to raise the awareness of local communities (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2022; 2024). Overall, these efforts have led to significantly reduce large-scale poaching. Subsistence poaching, however, remains a threat to the preservation of the property, as does the illegal bushmeat trade in general. Surveillance rates in the past year covered between 50-65% of the property, but an increase to 80% is recommended to effectively combat illegal activities (UNESCO, 2023). A study on the characterization of hunting practices in the Monkoto corridor highlighted the persistence of poaching and unsustainable hunting practices (such as trapping and night hunting), targeting artiodactyls (50%), rodents (20%), primates (19%), and pangolins (11%). According to the surveyed hunters, overexploitation, population growth, and the lack of a regulated hunting calendar are responsible for the perceived decline in game species (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2024).
Annual & Perennial Non-Timber Crops
(Forest clearance for agriculture)
Inside site
, Localised(<5%)
Outside site
In 2003, six per cent of the park was affected by slash and burn agriculture (ICCN, 2011). In 2020, the Reactive monitoring mission reported that small scale slash and burn agriculture by local communities continues, however forest cover in the property estimated by the rate of deforestation has changed very little since the previous 2012 mission, and that satellite images show no significant change is predicted between 2016 and projections for 2021. The most significant changes are concentrated outside the property, near the main anthropized sectors and to a lesser extent, inside the corridor separating the two blocks (IUCN and UNESCO, 2020; Muteya et al., 2024) and in south-western periphery of the property (Soliday et al., 2023). As the population in the vicinity of the property continues to grow, this is likely to increase as a threat to the property. Efforts to support sustainable agricultural practices, such as the revival of rice dehusking machine operations in Tshuapa Province, have been encouraged (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2024).
Concession blocks for oil exploitation have covered Salonga National Park for many years, however it was thought that to date no concessions had been granted. In 2018, a Presidential decree attributed oil exploration permits to three blocks that cover a part of the property, with discussion of potential decommissioning of part of the Salonga and Virunga properties, raising significant concerns by stakeholders including the World Heritage Committee. Although in 2020, and again in 2020 and 2024, the State Party reported that oil exploration in the property is no longer on the political agenda, the overall current state of oil concessions and whether these overlap with the property or not remains unclear. Until such clarification is provided by the State Party, oil exploration constitutes a high potential threat to the property.
Oil & Gas exploration/development
(Oil exploitation concessions)
Inside site
, Not applicable
Outside site
Concession blocks for oil exploitation have covered Salonga National Park for many years, however it was thought that to date no concessions had been granted. In 2018 and 2019, the World Heritage Committee raised significant concerns over a 1 February 2018 Presidential decree (issued by an outgoing government) which attributed oil exploration permits to three blocks that cover a part of the property, and the related potential decommissioning of part of the Salonga and Virunga properties, reiterating that extractives are incompatible with World Heritage status and requesting the concessions be cancelled (UNESCO, 2018 and 2019). Concerns were raised by various national and international government and civil society stakeholders including ICCN, WWF, community chiefs and international dignitaries (IUCN and UNESCO, 2020). In 2020, the government reported to the World Heritage Committee and also the Reactive Monitoring mission, that oil exploration in the property is no longer on the political agenda (State Party of the DRC, 2020; IUCN and UNESCO 2020), however the overall current state of oil concessions and whether these overlap with the property or not remains unclear. Current granted concessions still have not been reported nor have been cancelled (UNESCO, 2021, 2023). In 2022, UNESCO sent a letter to the State Party, requesting information (especially in terms of location) about an auction approved by the Council of Ministers of 8 April 2022 for new oil concessions in the central basin, as well as on the state of progress on the cancellation of the concessions overlapping the property.
While the State Party has confirmed to the World Heritage Committee that no mining or oil exploration or exploitation will be permitted within the property (State Party 2022; 2024), according to the most recent information (ICCN, 2024), the concessions already granted have still not been reported and, although the calls for tender launched in 2022 for the granting of such concessions did not include the territory of the property, there is still a political and legal risk that such activities totally incompatible with the inscription of the property as a World Heritage site may be authorised in the future. In this context, mining and oil exploration and exploitation activities must be considered as a potential threat for the property.
While the State Party has confirmed to the World Heritage Committee that no mining or oil exploration or exploitation will be permitted within the property (State Party 2022; 2024), according to the most recent information (ICCN, 2024), the concessions already granted have still not been reported and, although the calls for tender launched in 2022 for the granting of such concessions did not include the territory of the property, there is still a political and legal risk that such activities totally incompatible with the inscription of the property as a World Heritage site may be authorised in the future. In this context, mining and oil exploration and exploitation activities must be considered as a potential threat for the property.
Recreational Activities
(Potential threat of disease transmission)
Inside site
, Extent of threat not known
Outside site
The recent outbreaks of Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever in areas north of the Park (Mbandaka and Boende regions), coupled with the constant movement of people and traders between the Park and Mbandaka/Boende, pose issues of potential disease transmission to both bonobos and the local human communities (IUCN Consultation, 2020). The presence of researchers/visitors/tourists may also enhance disease transmission and pose a risk to ape populations, especially the ongoing habitation of bonobos for eco-tourism activities at the guard station of Inkomu (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2024) if strict sanitarian protocols are not followed. LuiKotale Bonobo Project (LKBP) uses surgical masks in order to prevent transfer of human respiratory diseases to bonobos. Within the framework of the LKBP in collaboration with RKI and INRB, reversed disease pathways were investigated. Other threats, such as the zoonotic transmission of blood-borne pathogens from animals to humans, were identified, with local young men and mature women handling bushmeat being a risk group (Mossoun et al., 2017).
Involvement of stakeholders and rightsholders, including indigenous peoples and local communities, in decision-making processes
The 788 villages in and around the Park consist of remote communities subsisting mainly on agriculture and are traditionally dependent on the forest for hunting/gathering and fishing. Some are Indigenous peoples (Yaelima in the Southern block and Kitawala in the Northern block) or residents who were born and raised in the area, with deep-rooted traditional and spiritual ties to the land, and whose ancestors have inhabited it since time immemorial (MFC, 2020). Since the early 2010s, ICCN, which is responsible for managing protected areas at national level, has been developing co-management agreements with various conservation partners, as permitted by Law no. 14/003 of 11 February 2014; each agreement defines the respective responsibilities of each partner for a period not exceeding 25 years. Following recent allegations of human rights violations perpetrated by eco-guards at Salonga National Park, the KfW engaged MCF Social and Environmental Performance Ltd. (MFC) in 2019 to assess the security, human rights, and social management practices of the park (MFC, 2020). According to the report alleged human rights violations occurring at Salonga were the result of an ineffective government, lack of clear policies, security management plan and social management system (MCF, 2020). The various measures taken in response to the results of the Independent Review of Human Rights Violations by Eco-Guards have been noted with appreciation by the World Heritage Centre, in particular the establishment of a functional mechanism for the management of complaints and appeals in 2021 (UNESCO, 2023; State Party of Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2022). This mechanism helps to ensure the conservation of the property is based on peaceful coexistence between the local communities and the manager; and is currently under evaluation.
Under the renewed agreement of co-management between ICCN and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) each partner undertakes to: 1) ensure the conservation of the property with full respect for human rights; 2) support local communities within an Environmental and Social Safeguarding Framework (ESSF) designed to mitigate risks and increase the positive impacts of management on all stakeholders, including local communities; 3) professionalise AML by outsourcing the training and supervision of ecoguards to an external operator; 4) actively involve local communities and indigenous peoples in the property's activities (e.g. decentralisation of CoCoSi to provincial level, support for local development committees) for the governance of natural resources; 5) promote activities aimed at strengthening the economic power of local communities living on the periphery of the property and increasing their motivation to conserve it; 6) create a Salonga Foundation within 18 months of the signing of the agreement. Unfortunately, no evidence of the creation of the Salonga Foundation has been found yet. According to the provisions of the new partnership agreement dated October 7, 2021, both parties (ICCN and WWF) have agreed not to proceed with the involuntary relocation of the communities living inside the park. However, an effective support program will be implemented to limit the impact of these communities’ activities on the park's resources (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2024). Several activities were carried out favouring the empowerment of communities, in particular the creation and strengthening of farmer-led organisations (171), local development committees (350) and support for the process of creating community forests (172,802 hectares ) in the buffer zone of the property (State Party of Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2022). On the whole, therefore, while human rights violations have been reported in the past, the recent efforts and the current system directly involving all stakeholders, addresses an enhanced inclusion of local communities in the management of the property through bodies dedicated to this task (e.g. CoCoSi, CLD). Nonetheless, the ownership of the property by local communities remains fairly weak, in the face of a growing population and low level of development that may jeopardise efforts to maintain the OUV of the property and preserve its ecological integrity;
Under the renewed agreement of co-management between ICCN and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) each partner undertakes to: 1) ensure the conservation of the property with full respect for human rights; 2) support local communities within an Environmental and Social Safeguarding Framework (ESSF) designed to mitigate risks and increase the positive impacts of management on all stakeholders, including local communities; 3) professionalise AML by outsourcing the training and supervision of ecoguards to an external operator; 4) actively involve local communities and indigenous peoples in the property's activities (e.g. decentralisation of CoCoSi to provincial level, support for local development committees) for the governance of natural resources; 5) promote activities aimed at strengthening the economic power of local communities living on the periphery of the property and increasing their motivation to conserve it; 6) create a Salonga Foundation within 18 months of the signing of the agreement. Unfortunately, no evidence of the creation of the Salonga Foundation has been found yet. According to the provisions of the new partnership agreement dated October 7, 2021, both parties (ICCN and WWF) have agreed not to proceed with the involuntary relocation of the communities living inside the park. However, an effective support program will be implemented to limit the impact of these communities’ activities on the park's resources (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2024). Several activities were carried out favouring the empowerment of communities, in particular the creation and strengthening of farmer-led organisations (171), local development committees (350) and support for the process of creating community forests (172,802 hectares ) in the buffer zone of the property (State Party of Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2022). On the whole, therefore, while human rights violations have been reported in the past, the recent efforts and the current system directly involving all stakeholders, addresses an enhanced inclusion of local communities in the management of the property through bodies dedicated to this task (e.g. CoCoSi, CLD). Nonetheless, the ownership of the property by local communities remains fairly weak, in the face of a growing population and low level of development that may jeopardise efforts to maintain the OUV of the property and preserve its ecological integrity;
Legal framework
The property was created by Presidential Order no. 70-318 of 30/11/1970 in the legal form of a national park as initially provided for by Ordinance Law no. 69-041 of 22 August 1969 and amended by Ordinance Law on nature conservation no. 14-003 of 11 February 2014. However, the latter Ordinance now gives the State Party the possibility of derogating from the strict protection regime previously benefiting the country's protected areas, for reasons of public interest, by means of a Decree in the Council of Ministers. The 2020 joint IUCN/UNESCO reactive monitoring mission noted this weakening of the regulatory status of the property, which, combined with Article 155 of Law No. 15/02 of 1 August 2015 on the general regime for hydrocarbons, may lead the State to authorise by regulation (Decree in the Council of Ministers) hydrocarbon exploration or even exploitation activities within and, a fortiori, in the immediate vicinity of the property.
Governance arrangements
A renewed co-management agreement was signed in 2021 between ICCN and WWF (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2022; 2024). The governance of the property is organised around several bodies. A Steering Committee (CPPNS) oversees the management of the property. It is made up of representatives of ICCN, WWF, donors and two of ICCN's direct partners (Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Zoological Society of Milwaukee (ZSM)). A Coordination Advisory Committee (CoCoSi) brings together co-managers and local stakeholders involved in the property's activities. This committee is decentralised to the four provinces where the property is located. A Property Management Unit (UGPNS) plays the role of executive body and ensures the administrative, technical, financial and logistical management of the property on the basis of annual action programmes approved by the Steering Committee. The Local Development Committees (CLD) involve local people in the socio-economic development of the periphery of the property and act as a link between the co-managers and the local communities. It was envisaged that a permanent coordination unit would be set up in the provinces to strengthen the links between the co-managers of the property and the provinces, however, this does not appear to have been created yet. The governance of the property is therefore based on a relatively well-developed institutional framework and each element appears to be working satisfactorily although the concerted management of the property by managers and local authorities could be further strengthened. Consultation between the various stakeholders involved in preserving the property, from national to local is based on a relatively well-functioning system, although there is room for improvement in terms of relations between the manager and the provincial authorities. The creation of an Environmental and Social Safeguarding Framework (ESSF) also contributes to the inclusion of local communities in the management process of the property; at the time of writing this report (2025), this framework had been presented to the communities and was in the process of being validated both nationally and internationally.
Integration into local, regional and national planning systems (including sea/landscape connectivity)
The sustainable management of the ecological connectivity between the two blocks of the property remains a conservation priority and it is recommended that the State Party quickly finalize the creation of community forest concessions for conservation purposes by proposing a protection status and a simple management plan (UNESCO, 2023). Community forestry is the approach that was adopted by the park managers for the sustainable management of the corridor. However, the process has not progressed since 2018 due to the politicization of the 'community forestry' component, which has led local communities to become hostile toward the subject (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2024). In addition, the concessions for oil exploration and exploitation activities in the region are of great concern, as they have not been withdrawn yet. As the exact location of the concessions has not been revealed yet, these remain incompatible with the property’s status as a World Heritage property.
Boundaries
In 2020, the IUCN/UNESCO joint reactive monitoring mission recommended an acceleration of the process of demarcation of the non-natural boundaries of the property, which had been completed on just over half of these boundaries (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2022); the mission recommended that this demarcation work be finalised by the end of 2022. This process of finalisation began at the end of 2024 and should continue during the first half of 2025 according to information provided by the State Party (ICCN, 2024).
Overlapping international designations
n/a
Implementation of World Heritage Committee decisions and recommendations
With reference to the Committee's decision 45 COM 7B.6 and since the last Outlook assessment, the following observations can be made (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2022; 2024):
1) The new co-management agreement between the ICCN and the WWF has been formalized in 2021.
2) Various measures have been taken in response to the findings of the Independent Review of Human Rights Violations by Eco-Guards, including the establishment of a functional complaints and appeals mechanism in response (see WHC Decision 44 COM 7A.46). This mechanism is being evaluated.
3) The partners (European Union, USAID, KfW, Government of Norway through UNESCO) have confirmed their technical and financial support in the management of the property with a new agreement.
4) The surveillance rate of 80% has not yet been reached but it is improving, as well as the overall management performance of the property (IMET, 2023) in order to effectively combat illegal activities.
5) The human, technical and financial capacities dedicated to the fight against poaching, both in terms of staff and their training have been improved.
6) The collection of data on species present in the property has been intensified, including in the corridor, complementing existing data on populations.
However, various elements requested by the World Heritage Committee remain outstanding, for example:
1) The funding mechanism for the implementation of all property management functions has not yet been set up and the process remains slow.
2) The decision not to undertake an involuntary relocation of the Yaelima and Kitawala communities has been taken but the dialogue with these communities remains slow and no strategy relating to their presence in the property or their voluntary relocation and in accordance with the policies of the Convention and the appropriate international standards seems to have been established (ICCN, 2024, 2.11).
3) Auctioning approved by the Council of Ministers on 8 April 2022 of new oil concessions in the central basin has been cancelled, but the State Party has not yet cancelled the current oil concessions which overlap part of the property.
4) The operational forest continuum with a view to ensuring ecological functionality between the two blocks of the property has not been yet created and it remains a conservation priority.
5) The creation of forest concessions for local communities with a vocation for conservation has no been completed although efforts and activities have been pursued bringing technical support to the local communities for managing wisely the forests in the six existing concessions.
6) The participatory demarcation of the non-natural boundaries of the property has not been yet be finalized; it should be pursued in 2025.
1) The new co-management agreement between the ICCN and the WWF has been formalized in 2021.
2) Various measures have been taken in response to the findings of the Independent Review of Human Rights Violations by Eco-Guards, including the establishment of a functional complaints and appeals mechanism in response (see WHC Decision 44 COM 7A.46). This mechanism is being evaluated.
3) The partners (European Union, USAID, KfW, Government of Norway through UNESCO) have confirmed their technical and financial support in the management of the property with a new agreement.
4) The surveillance rate of 80% has not yet been reached but it is improving, as well as the overall management performance of the property (IMET, 2023) in order to effectively combat illegal activities.
5) The human, technical and financial capacities dedicated to the fight against poaching, both in terms of staff and their training have been improved.
6) The collection of data on species present in the property has been intensified, including in the corridor, complementing existing data on populations.
However, various elements requested by the World Heritage Committee remain outstanding, for example:
1) The funding mechanism for the implementation of all property management functions has not yet been set up and the process remains slow.
2) The decision not to undertake an involuntary relocation of the Yaelima and Kitawala communities has been taken but the dialogue with these communities remains slow and no strategy relating to their presence in the property or their voluntary relocation and in accordance with the policies of the Convention and the appropriate international standards seems to have been established (ICCN, 2024, 2.11).
3) Auctioning approved by the Council of Ministers on 8 April 2022 of new oil concessions in the central basin has been cancelled, but the State Party has not yet cancelled the current oil concessions which overlap part of the property.
4) The operational forest continuum with a view to ensuring ecological functionality between the two blocks of the property has not been yet created and it remains a conservation priority.
5) The creation of forest concessions for local communities with a vocation for conservation has no been completed although efforts and activities have been pursued bringing technical support to the local communities for managing wisely the forests in the six existing concessions.
6) The participatory demarcation of the non-natural boundaries of the property has not been yet be finalized; it should be pursued in 2025.
Climate action
Alongside the other protected areas in the Congo Basin, the property covers an area of forest that is essential for combating climate change (UNESCO/WRI/IUCN, 2021) because of its carbon sequestration capacity.
However, there are currently no activities directly dedicated to this subject as part of the management of the property.
However, there are currently no activities directly dedicated to this subject as part of the management of the property.
Management plan and overall management system
Since 2015 Salonga has been co-managed by the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), with a new Partnership Agreement signed in October 2021 aimed at developing community-centred conservation in the park (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2024). The day-to-day management of the Park is under the joint entity Unité de Gestion du Parc National de la Salonga (UGPNS). The property has a management plan for the period 2019-2025, a business plan and three-year management action plans, as well as operational plans that are the subject of regular monthly, quarterly, half-yearly and annual reports. It also has several strategies covering specific areas of action for community conservation, environmental education and awareness and anti-poaching, as well as a complaints and appeals management mechanism and an infrastructure development plan. A guide to conduct for ecoguards accompanies the efforts made in recent years to promote respect for human rights and local communities (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2022; 2024).
Law enforcement
Since the joint large-scale operation with the Congolese army FARDC entitled ‘Operation Bonobo’ in 2016, which successfully restored park security after an armed rebellion set up a quasi-independent administration in the park in 2011, no presence of armed militia has been reported in the park (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2020). Ongoing patrolling acts as a strong deterrent for further insecurity, and continues the fight against poaching and other illegal activities. In 2021, 160 patrols were carried out, covering 48.9% (50.6%) of the property, while in 2023, 140 patrols were carried out, covering 50.6% of the property. These patrols led to arrests and the seizure of equipment used for poaching. However, an increase to 80% property coverage is recommended to effectively combat illegal activities (UNESCO, 2023). Large swaths of the properties have not been covered by patrols both in 2021 (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2022) and 2023 (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2024). Furthermore, the property’s administration has stepped up its action against poaching in conjunction with local corruption and the public services, strengthened the operational capacities of staff through training, rejuvenated the staff of the LAB unit and modernised the operations coordination centre in order to improving the internal communication system (ICCN, 2024; State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2022; 2024). However, the number of guards currently active in the park (222) remains inadequate considering the size of the property (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2022; 2024). As a result patrolling is inconsistent or occasional in many areas of the park (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2022; 2024), hindering its efficacy and limiting its deterrent effect in the long-term. The long-planned (Ilambu 2006) installation of guard Stations at Longolongo (north block) and Bombole (south block) would be promising elements of improvement, but are yet to be implemented.
Sustainable finance
The financing model of the management of the property is based on a public/private partnership in which the contribution of external donors is widely preponderant, representing almost 99% of the total budget in 2024. This contribution is linked to regular renewals of the co-management agreement between ICCN and its partners.
The park has three main donors: the EU, USAID, and KfW. The EU launched a new two-year phase in 2022, which ended in August 2024. This funding supported park protection activities, infrastructure, and biomonitoring. Another project focussing on implementing activities in the park’s buffer zones is currently being launched; it will be carried out by other technical partners of the park, namely ISCO and Oxfam. USAID has launched a new five-year phase (2023–2027) with a budget of USD 6.5 million to support peripheral activities and biomonitoring. The official launch of this project took place in February 2023 and it remains to be seen how the recent USAID funding cuts will affect this. As for KfW funding, three financing phases have been signed for a period of three years (2023–2026), totalling 8.8 million euros. These funds support park management as well as community-based activities. In addition to these major donors, the Salonga National Park secured additional funding from private donors in 2023. These include the SEGRE Foundation (park management), Dentsu (education), MIKE (park management), GIZ (study on zoonotic diseases), among others (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2022). The creation of an autonomous Salonga Foundation to secure funding is planned (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2022; 2024). The 2020 IUCN/UNESCO joint reactive monitoring mission recommended that this institution be set up within two years, i.e. by the end of 2022. At the time of writing, it had not yet been created. The State Party should accelerate its operationalization with the support of its partners (EU, USAID, KfW) to allow the implementation of all the management functions of the property (UNESCO, 2023). In the absence of such appropriate financial mechanism, sustainable funding for the management of the property is still not secure in the long-term.
The park has three main donors: the EU, USAID, and KfW. The EU launched a new two-year phase in 2022, which ended in August 2024. This funding supported park protection activities, infrastructure, and biomonitoring. Another project focussing on implementing activities in the park’s buffer zones is currently being launched; it will be carried out by other technical partners of the park, namely ISCO and Oxfam. USAID has launched a new five-year phase (2023–2027) with a budget of USD 6.5 million to support peripheral activities and biomonitoring. The official launch of this project took place in February 2023 and it remains to be seen how the recent USAID funding cuts will affect this. As for KfW funding, three financing phases have been signed for a period of three years (2023–2026), totalling 8.8 million euros. These funds support park management as well as community-based activities. In addition to these major donors, the Salonga National Park secured additional funding from private donors in 2023. These include the SEGRE Foundation (park management), Dentsu (education), MIKE (park management), GIZ (study on zoonotic diseases), among others (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2022). The creation of an autonomous Salonga Foundation to secure funding is planned (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2022; 2024). The 2020 IUCN/UNESCO joint reactive monitoring mission recommended that this institution be set up within two years, i.e. by the end of 2022. At the time of writing, it had not yet been created. The State Party should accelerate its operationalization with the support of its partners (EU, USAID, KfW) to allow the implementation of all the management functions of the property (UNESCO, 2023). In the absence of such appropriate financial mechanism, sustainable funding for the management of the property is still not secure in the long-term.
Staff capacity, training and development
The strengthening of human, technical and financial capacities was a strong recommendation of the 2020 IUCN/UNESCO joint reactive monitoring mission, subsequently reiterated by the World Heritage Committee. The context has changed significantly since then. The management team (47 executives and 222 eco-guards) has undergone human rights training (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2022). An ecoguard training programme has been developed with the support of an external provider (Chengeta Wildlife) and more than 180 officers have attended sessions on tactics and weaponry, use of geolocation instruments (compass, GPS), law, including also respect for property and human rights, hygiene and personal health and data collection (e.g. SMART) (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2022; 2024). Additional field agents have been recruited to improve the capacity to collect and manage biological monitoring and anti-poaching data. Finally, the logistical resources made available to technical staff have been significantly improved: the park management acquired several land and water transport vehicles during 2023, These included 15 Yamaha DT 125 motorcycles, 13 outboard motors, 13 pirogues, and one fast boat equipped with two 75-horsepower outboard engines. A leasing agreement is currently being finalized between WWF (co-manager of the site) and Civil Aviation, which will enable the park managers to have a permanent aircraft for travel between headquarters and the field station (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2024). To increase the visibility of its activities both nationally and internationally, the Salonga National Park Management Unit (UGPNS) hired a communications specialist at the beginning of the second quarter of 2023. Overall, the human resources dedicated to the conservation of the property have developed positively, although all the resources currently available, in particular eco-guards, cannot yet sufficiently meet the guarding and police needs of a property that is particularly extensive and difficult to control.
Education and interpretation programmes
Education and interpretation are clearly included in the current management objectives of the property manager, who continued his efforts in this area, using a variety of means, including meetings and various media such as leaflets (e.g. Cahiers de Salonga) and posters (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2022; 2024). These efforts are complemented by the Luikotale Bonobo Project and the NGO Bonobo Alive, in the south-west of the south block (Secteur Lokolama), where it supports teachers' salaries, designs programmes focusing on nature conservation and aids families of motivated students by covering costs for secondary education (Fruth, 2014). At a meeting in September 2024, the CoCoSi also made a series of recommendations aimed at improving relations between the manager and the local communities and customary authorities, including the following: - increase community awareness of the importance of preserving the property's natural resources; - encourage the implementation of sustainable practices for the use of these resources; - promote agroforestry; - publicise the law on hunting in rural areas; - actively involve local and customary authorities in the protection and effective management of the property and its natural resources; - improve dialogue between the manager and the communities by increasing the frequency of exchanges. These recommendations form part of a global approach to the education and sensitivity of local stakeholders and should serve as guidance for the manager in this area and lead to strengthening education and awareness activities in the future. To increase the visibility of its activities at both national and international levels, the Salonga National Park Management Unit (UGPNS) recruited a communications specialist at the beginning of the second quarter of 2023. Based in Monkoto at the park’s headquarters, the specialist regularly collects information on park activities. In 2023, six field missions or event coverage assignments were carried out by the communications assistant. In terms of outputs, 25 publications were produced (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2024).
Tourism and visitation management
Because of its remoteness and the difficulties of accessing it, the property is not intended for mass tourism; it can, however, support the development of niche tourism (e.g. observation, scientific). The bonobo habituation project (PHB), launched in 2023, is part of such an approach in favour of ecotourism that respects the preservation of the values and ecological sensitivity of the property.
Sustainable use
The wise use of natural resources is another ongoing concern for the property manager, who is confronted with traditional practices that are sometimes not fully compatible with the preservation of the OUV of the property and are to the detriment of its biological and ecological integrity (e.g. slash-and-burn farming, exploitation of forest resources, community hunting and fishing). In order to minimise the threats to the property resulting from unsustainable uses and activities, the manager, in conjunction with partners (e.g. ISCO, OXFAM), is developing programmes to support local communities in sustainable agriculture and forestry; activities are also proposed to promote and popularise sustainable fishing and hunting methods and techniques and the development of secondary production (e.g. beekeeping) (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2024). These activities are carried out in close collaboration with CLDs, associations and other natural resource conservation units (CCERN).
Monitoring
In line with the observation made by the 2020 IUCN/UNESCO joint reactive monitoring mission, the regular increase in the coverage rate of the property's monitoring needed to be implemented following baseline information on wildlife density and distribution (2011-2018) collected across the entire property (Bessone et al., 2018; 2020; 2023; 2024; Ikati et al., 2017; Maisels, 2015; ZSM, 2017; 2018) and the corridor (Ikati et al., 2018). Since 2018, a biomonitoring programme via camera trapping has been launched and continues collecting data to this day in the most important baïs of the property (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2022; 2024). Biological inventories have been repeated after a 10-years interval in the north block (Etate, Biondo Biondo, Dare Dare) by the Salonga Conservation Initiative (SCI) contributing to improved knowledge of biodiversity and its trends, with a focus on flagship species such the bonobo and forest elephant (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2022; 2024). In 2022, a biodiversity express survey was conducted at three sites, recording 160 species of birds, 32 species of herpetofauna, 32 fish and over 400 species of invertebrates (Jocque et al., 2023). Finally the ongoing bonobo habituation programme in Inkomu (north block), allow the constant monitoring of this endemic species as well as the sympatric wildlife (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2024). However, no monitoring activity has been implemented in other areas of the park, such as the south block (surveyed between 2015-2018; Bessone et al., 2018; 2020; 2023; 2024; Maisels, 2015), the Lomela sector (north block - surveyed in 2016; Ikati et al., 2017), amounting to approximatively 22,000 km2 (65% of the property), and the corridor (surveyed in 2017; Ikati et al., 2018). As recent reports on bonobo population trends in the property have pointed to decreasing bonobo populations (SCI, 2022; Bessone et al., 2024) calling for vigilance, the re-survey of these areas will be crucial to confirm wildlife population status in the property after >10-years since the last inventory.
Research
The study and research activities carried out in the property confirmed in 2024 the presence of the forest buffalo, which had not been observed for nearly ten years in the property; it also focused on the property's key species (e.g. bonobos and elephants) with the support of external partners (e.g. ZSM). Those research efforts confirmed a fairly favourable trend in the state of conservation of most species and the major importance of the corridor for the property's biodiversity. The photographic campaigns also made it possible to highlight the sectors most subject to anthropic pressure, where anti-poaching measures should be prioritised (e.g. western part of the south-eastern block of the Watsi Kengo sector) (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2022; 2024). Furthermore, a bonobo habituation programme began in 2024; however, it is still too early to conclude on the results, with a view to developing ecotourism activities (State Party of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2024). To sum up, the current research effort is gradually improving knowledge of the diversity, abundance and distribution of species, with priority given to the key species, in the property. The research effort should be continued and further strengthened in order to have a fair overall view of the state of conservation of biological resources in the property, including within the corridor separating the two blocks.
Effectiveness of management system and governance in addressing threats outside the site
Although isolated and difficult to access, the property is located in a regional context under very high anthropogenic pressure. The low level of socio-economic development of the populations living on the periphery of the property, combined with a high demographic trend, tends to increase these pressures over time. The management authority is responding to this context by supporting local communities to become institutionally autonomous, by means of CLDs and, for example, rural agricultural management councils in the various sectors of the property. This support is in addition to the manager's other contributions to agriculture and forest management, as well as sustainable hunting and fishing. Lastly, the Environmental and Social Safeguarding Framework (ESSF) initiated by the manager completes this scheme, the aim of which is to enable these communities to build a mode of development that is fully compatible with the presence of the property and the preservation of its OUV. Despite these efforts, much remains to be done to ensure that the communities living on the periphery of the property reach a level of development that will enable them to ensure their well-being, otherwise there is a risk that the local populations will increase their pressure on the natural resources, fauna and flora, including in the property, and call into question their full ownership of it.
However, the effectiveness and efficiency of this system has yet to be confirmed with regard to all the threats to the property, including, for example, oil exploration and exploitation activities, which may have a major impact on the long-term preservation of the property and are totally outside the scope of its governance and management.
However, the effectiveness and efficiency of this system has yet to be confirmed with regard to all the threats to the property, including, for example, oil exploration and exploitation activities, which may have a major impact on the long-term preservation of the property and are totally outside the scope of its governance and management.
Effectiveness of management system and governance in addressing threats inside the site
Salonga National Park (PNS) has been subject to annual evaluations using the IMET (Integrated Management Effectiveness Tool) since 2016. The results show a general upward trend in the site's management effectiveness since the reactive monitoring mission of 2012: from 41% in 2016 to 57% in 2017, 61% in 2018, and 65% in 2019. In contrast, the 2020 score declined compared to the previous two years, falling to 59.6%. This drop was primarily due to the global COVID-19 health crisis and financial constraints, which negatively impacted the implementation of key activities, such as patrols, during that year. A slight overall improvement in the park’s management effectiveness was observed in the following years: the IMET index for Salonga was 61.8% for the year 2021 and 63.1% in 2022. This improvement is mainly attributed to two components: (a) 'Inputs,' which increased from 61.9% in 2021 to 69.6% in 2022, and (b) 'Outcomes and Impacts,' which rose from 63.7% in 2021 to 65.3% in 2022. Overall, the management system for the property meets the expectations of the Convention and its operational guidelines fairly well, including from the point of view of governance. The attention paid by the State Party and the manager to the involvement of stakeholders at all levels, national, provincial and local, by means of bodies involving them in the decision-making process, helps to ensure that each stakeholder at its own level can participate in this overall management.
The overall protection and management of Salonga National Park is continuing to improve since the establishment of a co-management arrangement between ICCN and WWF in 2016, renewed in 2021. Surveillance efforts are being strengthened and staff training programmes and logistical support have significantly developed. Law enforcement has been stepped up, but there are still several problems linked to poaching and other illegal activities that have yet to be fully resolved. Various management issues remain to be addressed including, but not limited to, the finalization of the boundary's demarcation, increasing patrolling coverage to 80% and ensuring wise use of natural resources and full participation in management and decision making by local communities. Although the financing agreement with the donors has also been renewed for the medium term, the financing of the management of the property is still not secured in the long term and the State Party's contribution to this remains low. Furthermore, the Salonga Foundation, which will enable a sustainable long-term finance mechanism, has not been established yet. The monitoring programme is improving, however, efforts are still needed to ensure that it covers the whole site and can contribute to build a fully effective management system for the property and the slow recovery of threatened species, elephants and bonobo among others, including in the corridor between the two blocks. Finally, although the State Party has reported officially that oil exploration and exploitation are no longer on the political agenda in the property, a legal clarification of the existing concessions overlapping with the property is needed to ensure that its territory and surrounding areas are protected from all oil and mineral resource exploration and exploitation, as required by its World Heritage status.
Vast area of intact lowland tropical rainforest covering a wide range of habitats with high biodiversity
High Concern
Trend
Improving
The property remains among the few forests still ecologically functional in Central Africa. Small scale slash and burn agriculture by local communities continues and may increase in future with growing populations, however forest cover in the property seems stable and no significant change has been observed since the last outlook assessment. The most significant pressure on the property stems from outside where human populations are concentrated and to a lesser extent from the corridor separating the two blocks. As the State Party continues its work on participatory management with local communities and forest concessions in the ecological corridor between the two blocks of the property, strengthened management should ensure that deforestation is effectively managed into the future. A stronger financial and technical support to a sustainable socio-economic development in the villages and settlements surrounding the property, in the overall context of a very high demography rate, is needed to further strengthen ongoing efforts.
An example of biological evolution and the adaptation of life forms in a complex equatorial rainforest environment
High Concern
Trend
Improving
As concluded in the last outlook assessment report, the significant loss of emblematic species such as the forest elephant and the bonobo to large-scale poaching over the past years has significantly impacted the values of the property, noting also the ecosystem consequences as these species are the two largest seed dispersers and responsible for maintaining the forest’s current floral diversity (endozoochory). As reported in the scientific literature, The complexity of this forest system is high and fragile (Beaune et al., 2012a; b; 2013a; b; c). The most recent biological inventories and monitoring activities performed in the property seem to indicate that populations of the flagship species have stabilized; they also allowed to improve knowledge on the biodiversity value of the property and among other conclusions, confirmed the presence of the buffalo. They also confirmed the high importance and strong biological value of the corridor separating the two blocks of the property (ICCN, 2024). However, and as reported by the 2020 IUCN/UNESCO joint reactive monitoring mission, the populations of the large mammals although they have slightly increased since the last outlook assessment, still remain far below the ecological potential of Salonga (IUCN and UNESCO, 2020).
In summary, although the state of conservation of the property is slowly recovering, thanks to a better and more effective protection and management, the property is not yet fully protected from illegal or unwise uses and activities that can affect its natural biological evolution, and is still exposed to the risk of being misused.
In summary, although the state of conservation of the property is slowly recovering, thanks to a better and more effective protection and management, the property is not yet fully protected from illegal or unwise uses and activities that can affect its natural biological evolution, and is still exposed to the risk of being misused.
Assessment of the current state and trend of World Heritage values
Improving
The state of conservation of the property is slowly recovering, thanks to more effective protection and management, however the property is not yet fully protected from illegal or unwise uses and activities that can affect its natural biological evolution. The most recent biological inventories and monitoring activities performed in the property indicate that populations of the flagship species have stabilized; they also allowed to improve knowledge on the biodiversity value of the property and among other conclusions, confirmed the presence of the buffalo. The inventories also confirmed the high importance and strong biological value of the corridor separating the two blocks of the property. However, the anthropogenic pressure is high in the surroundings and the level of development of the local populations living in the villages and other settlements in the vicinity of the property is likely to present a growing threat if not managed sustainably.
Assessment of the current state and trend of other important biodiversity values
Good
Improving
Recent investigations continue revealing new species (e.g. Bernt & Stiassny, 2022; Prozorov et al., 2021; Pett et al., 2023; Hutterer et al., 2024; Pett, 2024). All other taxa are mostly, if not completely, unexplored by science. This situation allows significant opportunities for the discovery of new species (Jocque et al., 2023).
Additional information
Carbon sequestration,
Flood prevention,
Water provision (importance for water quantity and quality)
Several very large rivers start in the park or flow through it. The vast area of forest through which they flow ensures regulation of downstream flows. The 36,000 km² of dense tropical rainforest also constitutes an important carbon sink. This vast area of intact and continuous rainforest almost certainly has an important regulating effect on regional and continental climate systems.
Outdoor recreation and tourism
Due to its remote location and difficult access, the property will likely never be a mass-tourism destination. It can, however, sustain certain forms of ecotourism, both natural and scientific, compatible with its extreme environmental sensitivity.
The actions currently underway to habituate bonobos corresponds to this approach: they aim to enable local communities to obtain a fair economic return for their efforts to preserve the property.
The actions currently underway to habituate bonobos corresponds to this approach: they aim to enable local communities to obtain a fair economic return for their efforts to preserve the property.
Legal subsistence hunting of wild game,
Fishing areas and conservation of fish stocks,
Traditional agriculture
Subsistence hunting is a traditional activity of the local populations; this hunting feeds a bushmeat market that is partly illegal, putting excessive pressure on game species (eg: small and medium-sized ungulates), including certain threatened and protected species (eg: pangolins). Training and raising the awareness of these populations and combating local and regional corruption are two important levers in the fight against the excesses of these hunting activities.
The property is also highly valued for its fish diversity on which millions of people depend directly or indirectly, and it acts as a reservoir for fish stocks downstream.The manager must rise to the challenge of sustainable fishing that is compatible with the natural productivity of aquatic ecosystems and that does not compromise available stocks or the environmental processes that ensure their preservation.
Traditional agriculture is another management challenge (e.g. slash-and-burn farming); practised by communities living in the two enclaves at the heart of the property.
The property is also highly valued for its fish diversity on which millions of people depend directly or indirectly, and it acts as a reservoir for fish stocks downstream.The manager must rise to the challenge of sustainable fishing that is compatible with the natural productivity of aquatic ecosystems and that does not compromise available stocks or the environmental processes that ensure their preservation.
Traditional agriculture is another management challenge (e.g. slash-and-burn farming); practised by communities living in the two enclaves at the heart of the property.
The national and global benefits in terms of nature conservation (central African humid forest biodiversity and endemism) and environmental services (water, carbon, climate regulation) are exceptionally important. However, the nature conservation benefits are at risk because of the scale of the poaching of wildlife.
| № | Organization | Brief description of Active Projects | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Konstanz | Research on ecology and social behaviour of bonobos at the LuiKotale research site at the outside fringe of Block South of Salonga National Park. Focus on research and conservation on biodiversity, ethnobotany and medicinal plants; environmental education, biomonitoring and longitudinal studies. |
https://www.ab.mpg.de/364649/fruth
https://www.bonobo-alive.org/en-au
|
References
| № | References |
|---|---|
| 1 |
Beaune, D., Bollache, L., Bretagnolle, F. and Fruth, B. (2012a). Dung beetles are critical in preventing post-dispersal seed removal by rodents in Congo rain forest. Journal of Tropical Ecology, 28, pp.507-510.
|
| 2 |
Beaune, D., Bollache, L., Fruth, B. and Bretagnolle, F. (2012b). Bush pig (Potamochoerus porcus) seed predation of bush mango (Irvingia gabonensis) and other plant species in Democratic Republic of Congo. African Journal of Ecology, 50, pp.509-512.
|
| 3 |
Beaune, D., Bretagnolle, F., Bollache, L., Bourson, C., Hohmann, G. and Fruth, B. (2013c). Ecological services performed by the bonobo (Pan paniscus): seed dispersal effectiveness in tropical forest. Journal of Tropical Ecology, 29(5), pp.367-380.
|
| 4 |
Beaune, D., Bretagnolle, F., Bollache, L., Hohmann, G., Surbeck, M. and Fruth, B. (2013b). Seed dispersal strategies and the threat of defaunation in a Congo forest. Biodiversity and Conservation, 22(1), pp.225-238.
|
| 5 |
Beaune, D., Fruth, B., Bollache, L., Hohmann, G. and Bretagnolle, F. (2013a). Doom of the elephant-dependent trees in a Congo tropical forest. Forest Ecology and Management, 295, pp.109-117.
|
| 6 |
Bernt, M. & Stiassny, M. (2022). A New Species of Air-Breathing Catfish (Clariidae: Clarias) from Salonga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo. American Museum Novitates, 2022(3990):1-20.
|
| 7 |
Bessone, M., Bondjengo, N., Hausmann, A., Herbinger, I., Hohmann, G., Kuehl, H., Mbende, M., N'Goran, P. K., Soliday, V., & Fruth, B. (2018). Inventaire de la biodiversité dans le bloc sud du parc national de la Salonga et développement d’une stratégie de suivi écologique pour améliorer la protection de la faune et de la flore menacées dans le parc. Final report.
|
| 8 |
Bessone, M., Kuhl, H. S., Hohmann, G., Herbinger, I., N'Goran, K. P., Asanzi, P., Da Costa, P. B., Derozier, V., Fotsing, D. B. E., Ikembelo, B. B., Iyomi, D. M., Iyatshi, B. I., Kafando, P., Kambere, A. M., Moundzoho, B. D., Musubaho, L. K., & Fruth, B. (2023). Assessing the effects of survey-inherent disturbance on primate detectability: Recommendations for line transect distance sampling. Primates, 64(1), 107-121.
|
| 9 |
Bessone, M., Kühl, H. S., Herbinger, I., Hohmann, G., N’Goran, K. P., Asanzi, P., Blake, S., Basele, M., Bofeko, M., Bondjengo, N., Bondo, P. W., Booto, R., da Costa, P. B., Dérozier, V., Emetshu, M., Fotsing, E. D. B., Grossmann, F., Guislain, P., Hart, J., . . . Fruth, B. (2024). Bonobo (Pan paniscus) Density and Distribution in Central Africa's Largest Rainforest Reserve: Long-term Survey Data Show Pitfalls in Methodological Approaches and Call for Vigilance. International Journal of Primatology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764-024-00468-w
|
| 10 |
Bessone, M., Kühl, H. S., Hohmann, G., Herbinger, I., N'Goran, K. P., Asanzi, P., Da Costa, P. B., Dérozier, V., Fotsing, E. D. B., Beka, B. I., Iyomi, M. D., Iyatshi, I. B., Kafando, P., Kambere, M. A., Moundzoho, D. B., Wanzalire, M. L. K., & Fruth, B. (2020). Drawn out of the shadows: Surveying secretive forest species with camera trap distance sampling. Journal of Applied Ecology, 57(5), 963-974.
|
| 11 |
Fruth, B. (2014). Final Report for USFWS; “Improving in-situ conservation of bonobos (Pan paniscus) by environmental education and capacity building in schools and villages West of Salonga National Park, DRC”.
|
| 12 |
Hart, J. A. Grossmann, F., Vosper, A., and Ilanga, J. (2008). Human Hunting and its Impact on Bonobos in the Salonga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo In: T. Furuichi, and J. Thompson (eds) The Bonobos: Behaviour, Ecology and Conservation. New York: Springer, pp. 189–216.
|
| 13 |
Hutterer, R., Jocque, M., Mertens, J., Mpongo, D.M. and Mbende, M., 2024. Three small species of shrews (Soricidae) from the Salonga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo, representing two new taxa and a new record. Mammalia, 88(6), pp.601-607.
|
| 14 |
ICCN. (2011). Plan Général de Gestion du Parc National de la Salonga. Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature.
|
| 15 |
ICCN. (2024). Rapport sur l'état de conservation des biens du patrimoine mondial, Parc National de la Salonga (N280), République démocratique du Congo, exercice 2024, novembre 2024, 27 pp.
|
| 16 |
IUCN Consultation. (2020). IUCN World Heritage Confidential Consultation: Salonga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo.
|
| 17 |
IUCN and UNESCO. (2007). Reactive Monitoring Mission Report Salonga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo). [online] Gland, Switzerland and Paris, France: IUCN and UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Available at: [Accessed 12 March 2019].
|
| 18 |
IUCN and UNESCO. (2012). Reactive Monitoring Mission Report Salonga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo). [online] Gland, Switzerland and Paris, France: IUCN and UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Available at: [Accessed 12 March 2019].
|
| 19 |
IUCN and UNESCO. (2020). Joint Monitoring Mission Report Salonga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Gland, Switzerland and Paris, France: IUCN and UNESCO World Heritage Centre. [online] Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/280/documents/ (Accessed 20 July 2020).
|
| 20 |
Ikati, B., Intamba, O., Wilondja, B., Iyondo, J. R., Naky, P., & Maisels, F. (2019). Inventaire des grands mammifères et impact humain réalisé dans le Corridor du Parc National de la Salonga, 2017–2018. Wildlife Conservation Society, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
|
| 21 |
Ikati, B., Liengola, I., Mbenzo, V., Kahindo Mbafumonja, F., Itamba, O., Wilondja, B., Lulengo, K., Amani Magadju, C., Bahati Muhigirwa, C., Manale, M., Ngoye, O., ANgemito, T., Mukinzi, J., & Maisels, F. (2017). Rapport des inventaires biologiques réalisés dans le bloc Lomela du Parc National de la Salonga. WCS and ICCN, Kinshasa, RDK.
|
| 22 |
Iyaba, R. J. M., & Stiassny, M. L. (2013). Fishes of the Salonga National Park (Congo basin, central Africa): a list of species collected in the Luilaka, Salonga, and Yenge rivers (Equateur Province, Democratic Republic of Congo). Check List, 9(2), 246-256.
|
| 23 |
Jocque M., Jamie G., Jones S., Mbende M., Mpongo Iyomi D.M., Mertens J., Nunes M., Pett B., Van Noppen M. (2023). The Salonga NP expedition: a rapid biodiversity assessment in the largest forest reserve in Africa, DRC. BES Report 11.0 (15 January 2023). Biodiversity Inventory for Conservation. Glabbeek, Belgium, 88 pp.
|
| 24 |
MFC (2020). Report on the Review of Security, Human Rights, and Social Management at Salonga National Park. Monkey Forest Consultation, 19 pp.
|
| 25 |
Maisels, F. (2015). Survey of the Lokofa Block of the Salonga National Park: preliminary report. Wildlife Conservation Society, Kinshasa, DRC.
|
| 26 |
Mossoun, A., Calvignac-Spencer, S., Anoh, A. E., Pauly, M. S., Driscoll, D. A., Michel, A. O., Nazaire, L. G., Pfister, S., Sabwe, P., Thiesen, U., Vogler, B. R., Wiersma, L., Muyembe-Tamfum, J.-J., Karhemere, S., Akoua-Koffi, C., Couacy-Hymann, E., Fruth, B., Wittig, R. M., Leendertz, F. H. and Schubert, G. (2017). Bushmeat hunting and zoonotic transmission of simian T-lymphotropic virus 1 in tropical West and Central Africa. Journal of Virology, 91, e02479-16.
|
| 27 |
Pett, B.L. (2024). A new species of Scelidocteus Simon, 1907 (Araneae: Palpimanidae: Chediminae) from Salonga National Park, DR Congo. Arachnology, 19(9), 1308-1311.
|
| 28 |
Pett, B.L., Iyomi, D.M.M., Mbende, M., Ïåò, Á.Ë., Éîìè, Ä.Ì.Ì. and Ìáåíäå, Ì. (2023). Myrmarachnini (Araneae: Salticidae: Salticinae: Astioida) of Salonga National Park, DR Congo, with description of a new species and two new species records. Arthropoda Selecta, 32(4), 466-473.
|
| 29 |
Prozorov, A. M., Prozorova, T. A., Mapilanga, J. J., Hausmann, A., Mller, G. C., Yakovlev, R. V., Volkova, J. S., & Zolotuhin, V. V. (2021). A new species of Typhonoya Prozorov (Lepidoptera, Lasiocampidae, Lasiocampinae, Gastropachini) from the moist broadleaf forest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Zootaxa, 5067(3), 417-428.
|
| 30 |
SCI (2022). The Resurvey of the Biondo Biondo Surveillance Area: A Comparison of 2012 and 2021 Results. SCI, Democratic Republic of Congo.
|
| 31 |
Soliday, V., Louat, A., Miezi, E., & Fruth, B. (2023). Investigating the impact of a long-term research and conservation project on the expansion of land use and land cover in a remote area of central DRC. Trees, Forests and People, 11, 100368.
|
| 32 |
State Party of the Democratic Republic of Congo. (2020). Report of the State Party to the World Heritage Committee on the state of conservation of the Salonga National Park (Democratic Republic of Congo). [online] Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN). Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/280/documents/ (Accessed 5 March 2020).
|
| 33 |
State Party of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2022). State of conservation report by the State Party: Salonga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/document/193020 [Accessed on 6 May 2025]
|
| 34 |
State Party of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2024). State of conservation report by the State Party: Salonga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/document/218292 [Accessed on 6 May 2025]
|
| 35 |
UNESCO (2023). Report on the State of Conservation Report on Salonga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo). UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/soc/4324 [Accessed on 6 May 2025]
|
| 36 |
UNESCO, WRI, IUCN. (2021). World Heritage forests: Carbon sinks under pressure, Paris, UNESCO; Washington, DC, WRI; Gland, IUCN. 36 pp. Available at: https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/docume…
|
| 37 |
UNESCO. (2018). Report on the State of Conservation of Salonga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo. State of Conservation Information System of the World Heritage Centre. [online] Paris, France: UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/soc/3814 (Accessed 19 September 2019).
|
| 38 |
UNESCO. (2019). Report on the State of Conservation of Salonga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo. State of Conservation Information System of the World Heritage Centre. [online] Paris, France: UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/soc/3846 (Accessed 19 September 2019).
|
| 39 |
World Heritage Committee. (2012). Decision: 36 COM 8E. Adoption of retrospective Statements of Outstanding Universal Value. Salonga National Park Democratic, Republic of the Congo. Context of Decision WHC-12/36.COM/8E [online] Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation: Publisher, pp.15-16. Available at: [Accessed 11 March 2019].
|
| 40 |
Xu, L., Saatchi, S. S., Shapiro, A., Meyer, V., Ferraz, A., Yang, Y., Bastin, J.-F., Banks, N., Boeckx, P., Verbeeck, H., Lewis, S. L., Muanza, E. T., Bongwele, E., Kayembe, F., Mbenza, D., Kalau, L., Mukendi, F., Ilunga, F., & Ebuta, D. (2017). Spatial Distribution of Carbon Stored in Forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Scientific Reports, 7(1), 15030.
|
| 41 |
Zoological Society of Milwaukee (2018a). MOV for Law Enforcement Monitoring (LEM): Evaluation of Etate, Lotulo, Biondo Biondo and Watsi Kengo Long-Distance Patrols. Annual Report to WWF-CAFEC, FY18.
|