Ten years after its last reported sighting in the Etate region, the forest buffalo has been documented once again. The species was last noted in 2014 when an ecoguard patrol identified stealthy footprints. Since then, no further sightings had been recorded in the area.

On June 4, 2024, the Salonga Conservation Initiative (SCI), while conducting surveys of a bai near the Watshikengo station at the edge of the northern block of Salonga National Park, captured images of the elusive forest buffalo using camera traps.

This rediscovery marks a significant event for the region’s biodiversity monitoring efforts. However, further research is required to determine the population size, geographical distribution, and other ecological data regarding the species within Salonga. Such studies will help improve conservation strategies and deepen understanding of the forest buffalo’s role in the park’s ecosystem.