Chad Cancels Conservation Group’s Management Role Amid Poaching Concerns
Chad announced that a conservation organization associated with Prince Harry has stepped back from its role in managing wildlife reserves. The government criticized major charities for their insufficient efforts to combat poaching.
Environment Minister Hassan Bakit Jamas stated that African Parks has displayed “repeated derogatory and disrespectful attitudes” toward the government. He pointed out a worrying rise in poaching incidents, along with a noticeable lack of investment in the reserves under conservation management.
In response, African Parks acknowledged that it’s “better understanding the government’s position” and is “looking into how best to support the ongoing protection of these vital conservation areas.”
This development has effectively ended a 15-year collaboration focused on anti-poaching initiatives and revitalizing elephant populations in the Enne Natural and Cultural Reserve, as well as other significant areas like the Zakuma Ecosystem, which includes the Zakouma and Siniaca Minia National Parks.
Once African Parks took charge, the elephant population in Zakouma National Park rose from 450 in 2010 to over 550 by 2019.
Founded in 2000, African Parks has earned a reputation for stepping into severely degraded sites, equipped with the authority from the government to hire and fire personnel as necessary. The organization seeks to manage the nation’s wildlife areas more effectively, advocating for greater accountability in the fight against poaching and habitat loss.
Despite these efforts, managing parks in many partner countries remains problematic, hindered by issues like poverty, corruption, and conflict.
Prince Harry is a board member of African Parks and previously held the position of president of the organization.
This year, African Parks also admitted that security personnel at one of its parks in the Republic of Congo had committed human rights violations against some indigenous communities displaced by the park’s creation.
Interestingly, African Parks indicated that its management contract with Chad for the Enne nature and cultural reserve was renewed recently in April.
