Ensuring more effective protection of DRCs largest remaining forest elephant population: enhancing law enforcement and management of the Okapi Faunal Reserve

The purpose of this project is to support protected area operations at the Okapi Faunal Reserve in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

This protected area, a World Heritage Site, has suffered from regional instability and poaching incursions by armed entities.

Previous support has allowed the improvement of infrastructure for ranger staff and expansion of patrol intensity and coverage.

Because other funds are targeting reconstruction of infrastructure, these funds will support (1) anti-poaching operations and logistics for wildlife guards from the national wildlife authority (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature); (2) technical assistance to wildlife wardens and judicial authorities; and (3) establishment of a new operational structure to improve the reserves finance, administration, management and enforcement systems.