Country/Region: Chad
Partner: African Parks
The Greater Zakouma Ecosystem (GZE) is situated in south-eastern Chad in the savannah region between the Sahel and the rainforest of the Congo Basin and measures approximately 3’000 km². It is one of the few intact Sudano-Sahelian ecosystems left in Africa and is among the most important protected areas on the continent.
After huge losses of wildlife, including 90% of its elephant population, African Parks took over management of Zakouma National Park (ZNP) in 2010. Through a multitude of activities, African Parks has achieved a considerable positive impact on park management throughout the GZE, with significant success in species and habitat protection, as demonstrated by much reduced levels of poaching, a general increase in all species numbers, including elephants, as well as much improved regional security.
Following the success of the African Parks partnership in Zakouma National Park, the Government of Chad expanded African Parks’ management agreement in 2017 to incorporate the management of Siniaka Minia Faunal Reserve (SMFR). Siniaka Minia stretches across 4’260 km², holds significant wildlife corridors and, together with Zakouma, contains one of the region’s few water sources during the dry season. However, the reserve has very little infrastructure presently. African Parks is working with the Government of Chad to proclaim Siniaka Minia a National Park, which will give it much higher protection status.
Fondation Segré has previously supported this project in 2017, 2019 and 2020 to promote law enforcement activities in the park and renewed its contribution in 2021 to further support the efforts of African Parks to protect endangered wildlife and this natural ecosystem of global importance.
Specific actions of this programme are:
- Upgrading the national road between ZNP and SMFR in order to allow for the transport of wildlife.
- Construction of the SMFR Wildlife Sanctuary. One of the biggest wildlife translocations in Central Africa is planned for the early dry season at the beginning of 2022.
- Maintenance and development of the Samer Head Quarters and an internal road network.
- Development two further Forward Operating Bases at Tiguili and Kerem.
- Continuation of Law Enforcement activities for the protection for the fauna and flora.
