The 4,4 million ha Dzanga-Sangha Protected Area (DSPA) complex in the Central African Republic shows promising signs of recovery, two years after the effects of civil war. In May 2013, 26 elephants were killed by poachers, and indiscriminate use of snares to catch bushmeat remains a widespread problem.  However, swift actions of anti-poaching teams and neighbouring communities, participating in the WWF-run ‘early warning system’ alerting authorities to  suspected poachers,  is improving security in the area. WWF has helped train DSPA anti-poaching teams, and elephant poaching is now rare. Tourists are returning, along with hopes that increased tourism will drastically reduce wildlife crime, as local communities benefit from 40 per cent of park fees which go to development projects.

Original article posted on: 18.02.15       Updated on: 19.03.15