Reclaiming Africa’s Rising Sanctuary: Upemba National Park 2025 Annual Report
- Communication
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On World Environment Day, the global community pauses to reflect on the ecosystems that sustain life across our planet. Today, we turn our eyes to one of Africa’s oldest, most resilient, yet historically overlooked wildernesses: Upemba National Park (UNP). Stretching across approximately 1.3 million hectares in the south-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, at the intersection between the Zambezian and Guinean biogeographic regions, Upemba is a vital water tower for the Congo Basin and a stronghold for extraordinary, irreplaceable biodiversity.
To mark this global day of action, we would like to share the 2025 Annual Report. It charts a vision of the landscape not merely as a protected area, but as a dynamic "green engine" driving local economic development and pioneering a sustainable model for human-wildlife coexistence.
Honoring Our Fallen Heroes
While this report celebrates immense progress, it bears a heavy, sacred dedication. On March 3, 2026, a tragic attack on the Lusinga station took the lives of seven deeply valued colleagues whose work greatly contributed to the impact reported in this report. The milestones achieved throughout 2025 stand as a living monument to their unwavering passion and ultimate sacrifice. As we look to the future, our conservation journey moves forward in their honor.
A Sanctuary for Earth's Rarest Wildlife
Upemba lies at a unique biogeographical crossroads where the Zambezian and Guinean regions meet, resulting in an exceptional array of flora and fauna. The 2025 report highlights a remarkable ecological resurgence for species found nowhere else on Earth, or fighting for survival within the DRC:
The Endemic Upemba Lechwe: Upemba safeguards the global stronghold of the critically rare Upemba Lechwe antelope (x<100$ individuals remaining), an iconic species entirely endemic to this specific landscape.
Resilient Zebra Population: Thanks to intensified protection measures, the park recorded a spectacular 16% increase in its wild zebra population in 2025, bringing the total to 197 individuals.
Iconic Megafauna: The park serves as a vital refuge for the DRC's last remaining pure savanna elephants and the country's final Katanga buffalos.
Advanced Monitoring: To guarantee their security, the park maintains 16 active GPS tracking collars deployed on 9 elephants and 7 zebras.
The "Green Engine" of Local Development
The core philosophy of Upemba's management framework – a 15-year co-management agreement between the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN) and the Forgotten Parks Foundation (FPF) – is that true conservation is inseparable from human dignity. Upemba is proving that protecting nature and supporting people go hand in hand. Rather than isolating the park from its neighbors, Upemba is actively transforming the regional economy through targeted community conservation and development initiatives:
Sustaining Livelihoods: Through an EU-sponsored agricultural program, 29,704 individuals from 3,713 local farming households achieved significantly improved food security and stronger livelihoods through sustainable farming support.
Empowering Women: By backing 10 Village Saving and Loan Associations (VSLA), the park helped economically empower 405 community members – 69% of whom are women.
Grassroots Awareness: Conservation education programs directly engaged 8,443 community members in field-based awareness initiatives, fostering long-term local ownership of the park's natural assets.
Looking Ahead: Financial and Ecological Sustainability
Leveraging innovative nature-based solutions – including carbon and biodiversity credits alongside strategic private-sector partnerships – Upemba is securing stable, long-term revenue streams. Backed by a $7.2M annual budget, these mechanisms ensure the park's long-term viability while continuously driving green economic growth across the Upper Congo River landscape.
This World Environment Day, we invite you to explore the full report, celebrate these hard-won ecological victories, and stand with the brave men and women guarding the resilient heart of the Congo Basin.
Additionally, consider contributing to our efforts through this recovery fundraising under this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-upemba-national-park-after-deadly-militia-attack
Download the Full Upemba National Park 2025 Annual Report Here:
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