Country brief: Cameroon

Country brief: Cameroon

Cameroon hosts rich biodiversity that stretches across its savannahs, forests, and freshwater ecosystems, supporting over 9,000 plant species, 900 bird species, and nearly 300 mammal species, including iconic and endangered animals like forest elephants, western lowland gorillas, chimpanzees, lions, and manatees. The country has established over 20 protected areas (national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and reserves) to safeguard this natural heritage in areas such as Bénoué National Park (NP), the Tchabal Mbabo National Park (NP), the Mpem-Djim National Park (NP) and the Lake Ossa Wildlife Reserve, sites where IUCN SOS African Wildlife conservation supported conservation action.

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2025

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Country brief: Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

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Country brief: Kenya

Kenya, a cornerstone of Africa’s biodiversity, is world-renowned for its rich tapestry of ecosystems from vibrant coastal mangroves and savannahs to arid rangelands and montane forests. Spanning over 580,000 km², Kenya boasts an extensive network of protected areas, including 23 national parks, 28 national reserves, and a growing number of conservancies, now covering more than 6.5 million hectares. These landscapes underpin a robust tourism industry that contributes approximately 10% of the nation’s GDP and provides livelihoods for over one million Kenyans

Country brief: Niger

Niger boasts a diverse and unique natural heritage, home to several iconic and threatened Saharan species such as the Addax antelope (Addax nasomaculatus), West African giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis peralta), Dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas), Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia), and Dama gazelle (Nanger dama). These species play crucial ecological roles and are vital symbols of the country’s biodiversity. However, Niger’s biodiversity is under increasing pressure, with population declines reaching critical levels due to a combination of ecological, socio-economic, and security-related challenges.

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Creating Lands of Opportunity: Sustainable Agriculture and Land Restoration in Burkina Faso

This project empowered communities in Burkina Faso’s Centre-East and Centre-South regions to transition toward sustainable agriculture and landscape restoration. With support from the IKEA Foundation, UNCCD Global Mechanism, and the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, the project reached 300,000 people (50% women, 50% youth). It increased agro-sylvo-pastoral production, restored over 54,000 ha, and strengthened local associations and governance. Through inclusive participation, communities adopted legal texts protecting 37,500 ha of ecological corridors. The intervention improved food security, incomes, biodiversity, and local decision-making capacity while aligning with Nature-based Solutions standards. Its successful co-production approach and restoration-business linkage offer high potential for replication across the Sahel.

Himalayan wolf conservation. Human-carnivore conflict mitigation to support traditional Tibetan mountain communities face global warming

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“CAZ4Lemur” Capacity building and joint action with the local community in Madagascar

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Réglementation de la circulation des jet Ski pour la protection d’un groupe côtier de grands dauphins

Le conseil de gestion du parc naturel marin d’Iroise a souhaité interdire la pratique du Jet ski dans les secteurs sensibles de l’Iroise qui abritent un groupe côtier de grands dauphins (Tursiops truncatus). Il a proposé cette solution à l’Etat afin de protéger le domaine vital de cette espèce très sensible aux dérangements et aux nuisances sonores occasionnées par ce type d’engin.

L’activité est désormais réglementée  par un arrêté du préfet maritime de l’Atlantique et interdite dans le domaine vital des grands dauphins côtiers. Cette décision est depuis attaquée devant les tribunaux compétents, les arguments scentifiques collectés par les équipes du Parc naturel marin sont utilisés pour défendre cette mesure indispensable à la protection des cétacés.

Restoring the wild population of southern river terrapins in Cambodia

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Santa Monica Biodiversity Rights

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Effective Enforcement Strategy in the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area

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