Congo Basin
News
WWF is saddened by the loss of Wangari Maathai, 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner and tireless advocate for conservation in the Congo Basin.
WWF Welcomes Decision to Suspend Oil Exploration in Virunga World Heritage Site March 17, 2011The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has decided to withdraw permission to drill for oil in Africa’s oldest park, Virunga National Park.
WWF Condolences to ICCN and Families of Virunga Rangers January 27, 2011Congo Basin Heads of State and Conservation Groups Celebrate 10 Years of Success in Saving World’s Second Largest Rainforest September 29, 2009
Leaders of the Congo Basin countries and conservation groups are pressing for more attention, funds and technical support to save the world’s second largest rainforest and benefit its population during a Congo Basin Forest Forum and Congressional Hearing today.
International Conservation Caucus Foundation Hosts Heads of State Forum on Congo Basin Forest Partnership September 28, 2009Leaders of Congo Basin countries, members of Congress and leading conservation organizations are gathering in Washington to recognize 10 years of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership. At a Congressional hearing the future of the world’s second largest rainforest will be discussed, including how those forests can help solve the climate crisis and contribute to regional security, effective governance and sustainable development.
Mountain Gorilla Population Increases Despite War January 27, 2009The number of mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park has increased despite the war being waged in and around the area, according to the first count in 16 months.
World Wildlife Fund Confirms Attack On WWF Vehicle In Congo July 09, 2008World Wildlife Fund (WWF) officials said today they have received confirmation that two people were killed and three injured in an attack on a WWF vehicle in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo on July 7. A WWF staff member was among those injured.
More Protection for Africa’s Rainforests May 28, 2008The Democratic Republic of the Congo will establish 13 to 15 million hectares of new protected areas, the country announced yesterday at the UN Environmental Summit in Bonn, Germany. These proposed protected areas make up an area of rainforests roughly the size of Greece. WWF applauds this commitment as a step towards creating an important and expansive network for the preservation of tropical rainforests. With this commitment, the Congolese government will reach its goal to protect 15 percent of the country.
Lack of meat for Africa’s Largest Concentration of Refugees Causing Large Scale Poaching January 22, 2008Washington - A new report released by TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, and WWF finds that the lack of meat in refugee rations in East Africa is causing a flourishing illegal trade in wild meat, threatening wildlife populations and creating a food security issue for rural communities.
New treaty boosts protection of gorillas says World Wildlife Fund, TRAFFIC October 26, 2007PARIS – Today’s new agreement endorsed by nine African countries to better protect gorillas is a major conservation achievement, said World Wildlife Fund and TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network.
New Treaty Strengthens Gorilla Protection October 26, 2007World Wildlife Fund Applauds Senate Committee Approval of Bill to Support Tropical Forest and Coral Conservation September 13, 2007
Washington - World Wildlife Fund officials today offered strong praise for the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in approving S. 2020, a bill that reauthorizes the Tropical Forest Conservation Act (TFCA).
Solving problems faced by people fleeing conflict in Eastern Congo critical to saving endangered mountain gorillas, says WWF September 12, 2007NAIROBI, KENYA and WASHINGTON DC – With international relief organizations estimating that more than 35,000 people have fled the heavily armed conflict near Sake in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo over the past week, the World Wildlife Fund warned that the habitats of several endangered species, including mountain gorillas, could be put at serious risk.
Bodies of four critically endangered mountain gorillas found in Congo's Virunga National Park July 26, 2007Washington -- World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and its partners are taking swift action to protect critically endangered mountain gorillas after three females and one male silverback were discovered shot to death in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Central Africa's First Debt-for-Nature Swap Invests $25 Million for Tropical Forest Conservation in Cameroon June 22, 2006Washington - France and Cameroon signed the first ever Central African debt for nature swap today. This agreement will invest at least $25 million over the next five years to protect part of the world's second largest tropical forest, home to elephants, gorillas, hundreds of bird species and indigenous groups such as the Ba'Aka pygmies.
Preventing doomsday: WWF scientist shares insights on SCI FI Channel June 14 June 14, 2006Tonight, on the SCI FI Channel, TODAY Show host Matt Lauer brings home some of the dramatic changes occurring in our natural world in Countdown to Doomsday.
Rare Okapi Sighted in Eastern Congo Park June 08, 2006Washington -- After nearly 50 years, the okapi -- the closest known relative to the giraffe -- has been rediscovered in Virunga National Park in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), World Wildlife Fund announced today. This is the first sign of okapi presence in Virunga National Park since August 1959 according to official records. The discovery happened during a recent survey led by WWF and its Congolese governmental partner ICCN (the Congo Institute for Nature Conservation).
New Commitments and Bold Measures Needed to Save the Congo Basin's Forests February 03, 2005Washington, DC - Despite extraordinary progress on conservation since the historic Yaoundé Summit in 1999, two thirds of the Congo Basin's forests remain at grave risk and could be lost within 50 years unless more is done to combat illegal logging, poaching, wildlife smuggling and the illicit bushmeat trade, World Wildlife Fund warned today.
