Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Congo

Flora & Fauna

Forming part of the Congo Basin, Odzala-Kokoua National Park has a reputation for impressive levels of biodiversity and endemism. Odzala provides refuge for 114 mammal species, more than 400 birds and in excess off 4,400 varieties of plants.

A known 16 primate species inhabit the park. Among the primates the most well-known are the western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) and the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), both of which are sought after sightings for wildlife enthusiasts. Other noteworthy primate species include the black and white colobus (Colobus guereza), the mangabey (Cercocebus agilis) and the De Brazza's monkey (Cercopithecus neglectus).

The Tridom area supports the largest forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) population in Central Africa. The most recent survey in 2006 estimated the population to range between 11,000 and 18,000 animals; however the scarcity of recent activity and sightings is a cause for concern. Forest elephant are considered a keystone species and therefore central to healthy ecosystem functioning. Their protection is thus paramount as their demise would likely exacerbate the decline of many other forest species.

Other herbivore species also abound. In the eastern forests of Odzala, some of the largest populations of forest buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus) still remain. Healthy populations of bongo antelope (Tragelaphus euryceros) and sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii) can be found as well as giant forest hog (Hylochoerus meinertzhageni) and bush pig (Potamochoerus porcus). These are only some amongst a variety of species too numerous to mention. Among the insectivorous mammals, the giant pangolin (Manis gigantea) and the aardvark (Orycteropus afer) stand out. Odzala remains the only place in the greater Tridom area where spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta) can still be found.

Birdlife abounds in rainforest ecosystems. A total of 444 avian species have been recorded in the Odzala region alone. Among these the grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus) occurs abundantly in roosts consisting of thousands of individuals. Other notable species include the grey-necked rockfowl (Picathartes oreas); forest swallow (Hirundo fuliginosa); Zenker's honeyguide (Melignomon zenkeri); Gosling's apalis (Apalis goslingi); black-eared ground thrush (Zoothera camaronensis); grey ground thrush (Zoothera princei); eastern wattled cuckoo-shrike (Lobotos oriolinus); Verreaux's batis (Batis minima); Bates' weaver (Ploceus batesi); yellow capped weaver (Ploceus dorsomaculatus) and Rachel's malimbe (Malimbus racheliae). The black-casqued hornbill (Ceratogymna atrata) and Bycanistes species of hornbill are considered vulnerable as well as several raptors such as the crowned hawk eagle (Stephanoaetus coronatus).

Between the forest floor and the forest canopy is an extravagant diversity of invertebrate life. Unfortunately (or perhaps promisingly) very little is known about the invertebrates of Odzala, and only the butterflies have been studied in the greater Tridom region. A total of 346 species have been recorded within the boundaries of Odzala-Kokoua National Park, with an additional 301 recorded in the periphery of the park. For the broader Tridom area, at least 25 butterfly species are believed to be endemic and 2005 saw the discovery of a species entirely new to science (Bebearia ivindoensis).

Botanically, this area is also one of the world's most diverse, with more than 4,400 plant species recorded, including distinctive palm groves of Senegal date palms (Phoenix reclinata) dotted along the Mambili River banks.

For more information concerning threatened species at Odzala, please read Odzala's 2010 Protected Area Report for the European Union.