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Entries for August 2025

Republic of Congo: The shark trade and its impacts

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August 29, 2025
Republic of Congo: The shark trade and its impacts
Sharks and rays now make up a growing share of the artisanal catch in the Republic of Congo, with 23,073 tons landed between 2000 and 2017. Their meat is consumed locally, while their fins are exported to Asia, where they can fetch up to 25,000 CFA francs per kilogram. This demand has led to targeted fishing, threatening species like the hammerhead shark, highly sought after for its meat. A lack of strict regulation leaves these species vulnerable to overfishing. Specialized buyers remove the...

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Tags: Community conservation, Biodiversity, Congo Marine


Meat consumption habits in the Sangha department

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August 27, 2025
Meat consumption habits in the Sangha department
In northern Congo, wild meat and fish remain an important part of the local diet. In rural areas, 70% of people ate wild meat the day before the survey was conducted, compared to 37% of people living in towns. Rural households consumed almost 5,000 kg of wild meat and 4,600 kg of fish, accounting for 90% of their animal protein intake. In Ouesso, wild meat is the favourite choice for 45% of the population, ahead of fish (38%), which is valued for its taste, cultural importance and 'nat...

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Tags: Periphery, Community conservation, Bushmeat


Meat consumption habits in the Sangha department

News

August 22, 2025
Meat consumption habits in the Sangha department
In northern Congo, wild meat and fish remain vital for local diets. In rural areas, 70% of people ate wild meat the day before the survey, compared to 37% in towns. Rural households consumed nearly 5,000 kg of wild meat and 4,600 kg of fish, making up 90% of their animal protein. In Ouesso, wild meat is the favorite choice for 45% of the population, ahead of fish (38%) — valued for its taste, cultural importance, and “natural” quality. These insights highlight the chal...

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Tags: Periphery, Bushmeat, Forest


The Republic of Congo strengthens community rights with new FPIC guidelines.

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August 13, 2025
The Republic of Congo strengthens community rights with new FPIC guidelines.
Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) applies to all projects that have an impact on local communities, including logging, infrastructure construction, the creation or expansion of protected areas, and ecotourism. In Congo, this protection has now been strengthened by new official rules adopted at a key workshop held last June in Ignié. This major step forward aims to ensure greater equity, transparency and respect for often marginalised communities. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) ...

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Tags: Community conservation, Protected areas


Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park newsletter, July 2025

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August 12, 2025
Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park newsletter, July 2025
Conservation efforts, research, community development. Discover the news from the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park.

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Tags: Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, Protected areas, Wildlife protection


New insights on wildlife in Kabo, republic of Congo

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August 07, 2025
New insights on wildlife in Kabo, republic of Congo
The Kabo Forest Management Unit (FMU) is a forest area (2,670 km²) that has been exploited for timber since the 1970s. Over the past few decades, hunting practices have changed and areas that were once isolated are now accessible. In order to enable sustainable hunting, regular estimates of animal densities are needed. Discover the state of wildlife in the Kabo Forest Management Unit in the Republic of Congo. This report, produced as part of the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Prog...

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Tags: Periphery, Bushmeat, Forest


The Swamp Monkey: A Little-Known Jewel of Lac Télé’s Flooded Forests

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August 07, 2025
The Swamp Monkey: A Little-Known Jewel of Lac Télé’s Flooded Forests
Endemic to the Congo Basin, Allen’s swamp monkey (Allenopithecus nigroviridis) is rarely seen—but thanks to a new study, we now know the Lac Télé Community Reserve is one of its key strongholds. Unlike nearby protected areas, LTCR includes flooded forests, which are essential for this habitat specialist. In three of the nine monitored clearings, the swamp monkey was recorded—proof of its presence and the Reserve’s critical role. Scientists stress the need for regula...

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Tags: Conservation science, Community conservation, Lac Télé Community Reserve