Current events in the Democratic Republic of Congo offer us a fine example of the restoration of biodiversity. Garamba National Park, located in the province of Haut-Katanga, has seen the arrival of a new group of white rhinos, an endangered species, as part of a project to protect, promote biodiversity and wildlife conservation. The initiative is led by the Canadian company Barrick Gold in partnership with African Park and the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN), a public institution responsible for the conservation of protected areas in the DRC.
The relocation of these white rhinos in the Garamba Park is a zoological challenge, but above all a great opportunity to promote wildlife tourism, one of the flagship sectors of the Congolese economy. While conserving biodiversity is fundamental to the survival of the planet, it is also essential to combat climate change and play an important role in the war against poverty.
The governor of Haut-Katanga, Christophe Nangaa, reveals that the project is a great initiative to boost tourism. However, he calls on the authorities to invest in infrastructure so that the province can be very frequentable. It should be noted that these white rhinos of Garamba were almost decimated by poachers, as well as by the various wars that the region has known.
Garamba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the oldest national parks in Africa, covering around 5000 km2 and located 70 km north of the Kibali mine. The reserve is also home to other large mammals such as elephant, northern giraffe, hippopotamus, buffalo and okapi, and its landscapes include vast savannas, grassy or wooded, interspersed with gallery forests along rivers and marshy depressions.
In short, this initiative is a fine example of collaboration between political authorities and businesses to protect wildlife. It can not only save an endangered species but also promote tourism, a key economic sector in the DRC.