Garamba National Park

Garamba National Park is a unique and critical habitat for many species of animals, including the northern white rhinoceroses, elephants, hippopotamuses, and giraffes. The park covers an area of nearly 2,000 square miles (5,200 km2) in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, making it one of the oldest protected areas in Africa. Garamba National Park was established in 1938 and was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980. However, it was included on the List of World Heritage in Danger from 1984 to 1992 due to increased poaching and conflicts between poachers and park rangers. Since 2005, the park has been managed by African Parks in partnership with the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN), with the ICCN rangers working to protect the park from poachers and rebel groups.Despite the challenges, Garamba has made remarkable progress in recent years thanks to the efforts of African Parks and other organizations. Anti-poaching efforts have reportedly been successful at reducing animal deaths, and the park has been designated as a Lion Conservation Unit since 2005. However, the park still faces significant security concerns due to poachers and the use of the park by the Lord’s Resistance Army. Poachers have killed at least 21 park rangers in the last decade, and Garamba has struggled to establish itself as a tourist destination. Nevertheless, Garamba National Park remains a remarkable natural treasure and a critical habitat for many endangered species.