This year marks an important milestone: the Peripheral Ecosystem Management Project (PROGEPP) celebrates 25 years of protecting gorillas, elephants, and other iconic species in northern Congo. Launched through a unique collaboration between the Ministry of Forest Economy, Olam Agri, and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), this pioneering project has become a model for sustainable natural resource management.
Since 1999, PROGEPP has worked to safeguard the exceptional biodiversity of Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park and its surrounding areas, while also strengthening the livelihoods of local communities. By creating sustainable jobs and reducing pressure on wildlife, the project has demonstrated that conservation and development can go hand in hand to benefit both people and nature.
Among its key achievements are the protection of more than 24,000 gorillas and 6,000 elephants, the creation of over 400 micro-enterprises to diversify local economies, and the release of more than 1,400 wild animals back into their natural habitats. These results highlight the lasting impact of PROGEPP on conservation and communities in the Republic of Congo. For further details, please refer to our press release.
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