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Entries for 'Forest elephants'
July 24, 2026
Since May 2026, a female elephant accompanied by two young elephants – a juvenile and a calf – has been regularly visiting Mbeli Baï.
Thanks to their identification records, our researchers were able to recognise this female as Af206, first identified in a photograph taken in 2013.
It is intriguing to see this female return, more than 10 years later, but this new sighting highlights the importance of long-term monitoring of elephants in Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park.
By track...
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July 10, 2026
More than 36,156 hours of acoustic monitoring and no gunshots detected. These are the key results of the 22nd deployment of WCS's Elephant Listening Project in and around Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park.
Between August 2025 and April 2026, 46 acoustic units recorded continuous data across a 1,250 km² monitoring grid covering part of the national park, the Kabo forest concession, and a safari zone. The network is designed with 50 acoustic sensors, randomly distributed at a density of one...
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December 30, 2025
More than eight years after her last visit, a female elephant has been recorded again at Mbeli Bai.
Thanks to the female identification logbook established in 2017, researchers were able to formally identify her as Af221. No sightings of this female had been recorded since that date, representing an absence of more than eight years. She returned accompanied by her two young, a juvenile and a calf.
This sighting highlights the essential importance of long-term monitoring of elephants at Mbe...
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September 16, 2025
The latest wildlife survey in the Ndoki-Likouala landscape reveals a powerful finding: Forest concessions certified by the FSC (like those managed by CIB) host higher densities of forest elephants, gorillas, and ungulates than unmanaged areas.
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This success is no accident. It's the result of a long-term innovative partnership (PROGEP) between the government, industry (CIB), and conservationists (WCS), proving that responsible management makes a real difference for wildlife.
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June 28, 2025
Using innovative passive acoustic monitoring (PAM), researchers have revealed how forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) in Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park adjust their behavior in response to gunfire. The data shows an 8-day reduction in elephant presence after hunting incidents, along with increased nighttime vocalizations—clear evidence of stress caused by poaching. This groundbreaking study highlights the profound impact of human activity on these keystone species.
The research, a colla...
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November 12, 2024
A groundbreaking study released today reveals the alarming state of African elephant populations over the last 50 years. Both forest and savanna elephant species have experienced widespread declines due to overexploitation and habitat loss, mirroring the global trend affecting large-bodied animals.
The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, analyzed hundreds of population surveys from 475 sites across 37 African countries between 1964 and 20...
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March 25, 2021
The overall declining trend of both African elephant species calls for increased support by donors, governments of the elephant range states, and the international community to ensure that elephant populations start to stabilize and even begin a route to recovery.
The African savannah elephant and the forest elephant have now been classified as Endangered and Critically Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM. This comes after a recent decision by the African Elephant Speciali...
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November 30, 2018
Four poachers responsible for killing elephants in the periphery of the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park were sentenced to five years’ imprisonment by the local district court on Thursday the 22nd of November. Leonard Beckou, the gang leader, is a repeat wildlife crime offender, having been arrested twice before in 2015 and 2016. His latest poaching raids were conducted close to local villages, sparking fear within local communities, and highlighting the negative impact of elep...
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December 15, 2017
A local court sentenced a notorious elephant poacher and ivory trafficker to five years in prison and a fine of 1,200,000 XAF (~2100 US$). The sentencing, which took place yesterday, is an indication that Congolese government is becoming increasingly serious about dealing with criminals that threaten the country’s natural heritage
Over the last 12 years, Benjamin Mbondo, known locally as “Benz,” had garnered an infamous reputation for slaughtering elephants and traffick...
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April 29, 2015
The following statement was issued today by Dr. John Robinson, WCS Executive Vice President for Conservation and Science at the conclusion of the International Conference on Illegal Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora in Africa:
“We applaud the Government of the Republic of Congo and President Denis Sassou Nguesso for hosting the first-ever Africa-wide event to develop a strategy to put an end to wildlife trafficking in fauna and flora on the continent. The 4-day conference provides us with a...
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