On Wednesday, the Republic of Congo announced the creation of its fifth national park, which will serve as a refuge for exotic species such as African elephants, chimpanzees, gorillas and an assortment of birds.
Ogooué-Leketi National Park provides these animals with 1,530 square miles of government-protected land. The park borders Batéké Plateau National Park in nearby Gabon; combined, the two parks cover over 2,120 square miles.
Within the park, there are fertile forests, sprawling plains, and river valleys — all habitats for wildlife that doesn’t exist anywhere else on Earth, according to preservationists.
Included on that list are side-striped jackals, six extremely rare savannah plant species, and a new species of the warbler-like cisticola bird. There’s also a presence of somewhat more common but still endangered species, such as lowland gorillas, forest buffalo, red river hogs, and mandrills.
Since 2004, this part of the country has been under speculation by the government’s Ministry of Forestry Economy, along with authorities from the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Congo program. Originally, three logging areas overlapped with potential parkland, but with a great deal of effort, the designation was finally pushed through.
The last of the logging ventures left the area by 2016. For conservationists, this happened not a moment too soon – in 2010, it had become apparent that great ape populations in the area were declining. Due to a fear of the logging activities, elephants had begun gathering in forest clearances during the evening instead of the daytime.
While the establishment of Ogooué-Leketi National Park is a tremendous step forward for the protection of some of Africa’s most endangered species, the threat of commercial hunting remains ever-present. Roads built for loggers make the park easy to access. The Congolese government is currently working with nearby communities to mitigate this threat.

A remarkable story .
This is good news.
THE WORLD MUST PULL TOGETHER TO SAVE IMPERILED WILDERNESS AREAS & WILDLIFE.
It’s a relief to read this, finally hopefully this will be a safe haven for these precious endangered species. They are all so important to the survival of our planet. Hopefully this will encourage every country to follow in Congo’s footsteps.
Thank you Congo !
It’s good to know that there are governments out there prepared to do something to protect our precious wildlife. Well done Congo let’s hope other governments follow suit.
Thank you to the Congo for caring for these precious animals. This is so very important. Please don’t give in to the evil poachers.
Thank you very much, Republic of Congo, for your compassion of God’s majestic creatures. I am sure they will enjoy the beauty and protection of this sanctuary. You are truly their heroes and please do not turn against them and allow yourselves to be tricked into giving in to poachers. May God bless you all beyond your imaginations. Peace and love.
What a joy to know there will be this beautiful place where animals are protected. I am please that the Congo has taken this step and is working with communities as well.
STOP this evil demonic savage barbaric behavior towards God’s creatures. He WILL sort you out with Tsunanis Tornados Fires etc if you do NOT show RESPECT towards His creatures or creations. Dont cry then!!!!!
CREATIVELY ENTERPRISING! NOW…ENOUGH ARMED RANGERS TO PROTECT AND DEFEND AGAINST ILLEGAL POACHERS…
PURE AWESOMENESS!!!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR HUGE HEARTS!!!! NOW LETS KEEP THE DISGUSTING HEARTLESS TROPHY OUT!!!!!
What wonderful news — PLEASE ensure hunters, poachers do NOT have access — ALSO, PLEASE, advertise and promote these parks to the world — Tourists would love to visit and experience the beautiful environment and animals, wild and otherwise — THANK YOU for creating these marvelous sanctuaries — we ALL benefit.
At last some good news, let’s hope that the poachers stay away from what the Congo Goverment has set up successfully. It won’t be easy we all know that as people are greedy and they don’t think of the bigger picture and how important animals, wildlife and forests are to our natural world. Fingers crossed. Tracey, Wokingham UK
This is great news. Well done to the Congo.
Absolutely wonderful!!!!!May all these animals live in peace forever!!
At last! Caring and not killing or destroying!
Some wonderful news here for some animals. Well done to all who fight tirelessly to end cruelty set by humans you should be so proud – bless you
The law should come down harder on poachers. Poor animals.
I hope it really makes a difference for the animals. I hope that they have enforcement’s everlasting to keep them safe from criminals.
I am happy for the animals that this land is set aside for them. Let’s hope for enough resources to keep poachers away.