Plus grand parc forestier d'Afrique. Plus vaste que la Belgique.
Le parc renferme potentiellement 40% de la population mondiale de bonobos.
Près de 95% du paysage sont couverts de forêts.
Plusieurs de ces espèces sont reconnues internationalement comme étant menacées, particulièrement l’éléphant de forêt et le bonobo.
During the 23rd Meeting of the World Heritage Committee in 1999 Salonga National Park was inscribed into the List of World Heritage Site in Danger.
The committee decided to move Salonga National Park to the in-danger list because of the excessive poaching taking place at the time and the illegal encroachments. At that time, especially, elephant numbers dropped drastically. The park management at the time was not able to counter the heavy poaching attacks.
In a mission in 2012 IUCN/ UNESCO outlined the steps which need to be taken to remove Salonga National Park from the List of World Heritage Sites in danger. Since 2011 numerous steps were taken to address these recommendations and as a result, Salonga was removed from the list of World Heritage Sites in Danger in July 2021. However, it remains an ongoing effort to secure Salonga long-term for the well-being of both people and nature.
MENACES CONTRE LE PARC
Virtually all species are targeted, especially small primates and duikers. The demand for bushmeat comes mainly from urban areas far from the park where wild animals are sought as a delicacy.
The demand for this trade generates very destructive methods of capture. It is mainly aimed at young bonobos and gray parrots as well as several monkey species targeted by the pet trade.
Targeted elephant hunting has contributed to the dramatic fall in numbers and is still fueling illegal ivory trade networks.
Salonga could easily harbour 70000 elephants. To date we have less than 5% of that number.
The use of dynamite, poisons and prohibited mesh nets contribute to the depletion and decrease in the average size of some fish species.
The issue of respecting park boundaries is another threat because of the risks posed by clearing land, hunting and uncontrolled harvesting of non-timber forest products (NTFPs).
Population growth is also a threat in the medium term. Given the corresponding decrease in available land, (and reduced fallow time) pressures for agricultural clearing on Park lands are likely to increase significantly in the medium term.
During the 23rd Meeting of the World Heritage Committee in 1999 Salonga National Park was inscribed into the List of World Heritage Site in Danger.
The committee decided to move Salonga National Park to the in-danger list because of the excessive poaching taking place at the time and the illegal encroachments. At that time, especially, elephant numbers dropped drastically. The park management at the time was not able to counter the heavy poaching attacks.
In a mission in 2012 IUCN/ UNESCO outlined the steps which need to be taken to remove Salonga National Park from the List of World Heritage Sites in danger.
Since 2011 numerous steps were taken to address these recommendations and as a result, Salonga was removed from the list of World Heritage Sites in Danger in July 2021.
However, it remains an ongoing effort to secure Salonga long-term for the well-being of both people and nature.
