Deep in the Central African Republic (CAR) lies an unknown wildlife refuge that is starting to thrive once again
In the far eastern region of the Central African Republic (CAR), in one of Africa’s most remote and volatile regions, Chinko is a remarkable story of hope and success. Since 2014, when the CAR Government invited African Parks to manage Chinko, wildlife began to return and stability, in a region once fraught with civil war, poaching and lawlessness, is becoming a reality. In 2020, a revised agreement for a further 25 years was signed, which included the Functional Landscape of Chinko and taking the area under management to over 55,000 km2.
Poaching and uncontrolled pastoralism in the core park area have been reduced, so that wildlife populations from elephant and giant eland to lion and hyaena have stabilised and are increasing. As effective management has taken hold, hundreds of people from some of the world’s most vulnerable communities are beginning to feel the value of Chinko. A transhumance (the seasonal movement of livestock herders between grazing areas) engagement programme focuses on peacefully raising awareness among herders around the park to guide them along designated cattle corridors, so that ecological damage caused by cattle is diminished. Enterprise initiatives, and the provision of essential services such as health and education, have improved the livelihoods of thousands of people.
Anchored in potentially the largest functioning tropical wilderness in Africa, Chinko is of critical regional importance to conservation.
Going forward, the vision for Chinko is to continue expanding the core conservation area within the contiguous landscape of eastern CAR, to serve as an ecological corridor from Chad to South Sudan – at over 103,000 km2 to become one of the largest wilderness areas in Africa. To achieve this, a participatory land-use plan is being developed with community members and stakeholders. This long-term vision is to create the Chinko National Park and foster continued biodiversity conservation by connecting existing protected areas and creating employment and sustainable development for local communities. By donating to African Parks, you can be part of achieving this initiative.
Chinko is in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the CAR Ministry of Water and Forests, Hunting and Fishing (MEFCP). This partnership assures that Chinko protects the ecosystem, supports local communities and maintains economic value by providing the key to a sustainable future for this unique ecosystem.
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