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Central Africa > Democratic Republic of the Congo > Salonga National Park

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Summary

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Bonobos (Pan paniscus) are present in Salonga National Park.
It has been estimated that 9,246 (CI: 3,596-20,720) individuals occur in the South Block (2018 estimate), and 7,826 (CI: 3,814-10,618) individuals inhabit the North Block (2006 estimate).
The bonobo population trend is unknown.
The site has a total size of 33,350 km².
Hunting is the most important threat to bonobos; expansion of land for agriculture and disease transmission threaten the bonobo population to a lower extent, but may increase in severity in the nearby future.
Conservation activities have focused on biomonitoring, anti-poaching patrols and surveillance with SMART software application, education and awareness raising, and presence of researchers and staff.
The park was declared a World Heritage Site in 1984 and is the largest expanse of legally protected bonobo habitat.

View of Salonga National Park, South Block, from the guard Station of Anga © Mattia Bessone – PNS Survey
A small stream on the path to Iyaelima, Sector of Anga © Mattia Bessone – PNS Survey
Luilaka river, Sector of Monkoto © Mattia Bessone – PNS Survey

Site characteristics

Salonga National Park (SNP) is the largest protected area of pristine rainforest in the African continent (33,500 km²). Located south of the Congo river, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a stronghold for many endangered species. SNP, is divided into two blocks, North and South, separated by a 45 km wide inhabited buffer zone. Since 2015, the park is co-managed by the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). In addition to bonobos, SNP harbours one of the few remnant populations of forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) in the country. SNP is also home to 8 species of monkeys: Thollon’s red colobus (Piliocolobus tholloni), the Angola Pied Colobus (Colobus angolensis), Allen’s Swamp Monkey (Allenopithecus nigroviridis), Red-tailed monkey (Cercopithecus ascanius), Wolf's mona monkey (Cercopithecus wolfii), De Brazza’s Monkey (Cercopithecus neglectus), the Black Mangabey (Lophocebus aterrinus) and the Golden-bellied mangabey (Cercocebus chrysogaster). A large ungulate community is found in the Park, including the forest buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and the endangered Bongo (Tragelaphus euryceros), along with large carnivores such a the leopard (Panthera pardus) and the African golden cat (Caracal aurata). Finally, SNP is a stronghold for other endangered mammals such as the Giant ground pangolin (Smutsia gigantea), and for stunning birds such as the endemic Congo peafowl (Afropavo congensis). The entomofauna and floral diversity is equally rich, with many species expected being still unknown to science.

Table 1. Basic site information for Salonga National Park

Species	Pan paniscus
Area	33,350 km²
Coordinates	Lat: -2.533783 , Lon: 20.907380
Type of site	Protected area (National Park)
Habitat types	Subtropical/tropical moist lowland forest, Subtropical/tropical swamp forest, Savanna, Agricultural land, Wetlands (lakes, rivers, streams, bogs, marshes)
Type of governance	Shared governance

Types of sites Governance types Habitat types

Ape status

Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for Salonga National Park

Species	Year	Encounter or vistation rate (nests/km; ind/day)	Density estimate [ind./ km²] (95% CI)	Abundance estimate (95% CI)	Survey area	Sampling method	Source	Comments	A.P.E.S. database ID
Pan paniscus	2016-2018		0.54 (0.21-1.21)	9,246 (3,596-20,720)	Salonga National Park, South block (17,000 km²,)	Camera trap	Bessone et al. 2020		COD0195
Pan paniscus	2015	3.19	0.38 (0.15-0.96)	1,042 (419-2,591)	Salonga Lokofa (2,700 km²)	Line transects	WCS 2015		COD0186
Pan paniscus	2006	2.20	0.51 (0.28-1.01)	1,282 (699-2,533)	Salonga Iyaelima (2,500 km²)	Line transects	Grossmann et al. 2008		COD0170, COD0183 COD0184, COD0188
Pan paniscus	2006			7,826 (3,814-10,618)	Salonga National Park, North Block	Line transects & recces	Grossman et al. 2008		COD0170, COD0183 COD0184, COD0188
Pan paniscus	2005-2006	2.29			Lomela Block (2,750 km²)	Line transects	Grossman et al. 2008	Survey effort: 95.2 km	COD0170, COD0183 COD0184, COD0188
Pan paniscus	2005-2006	1.8			Lomela Block (2,750 km²)	Reconnaissance walk	Grossman et al. 2008	Survey effort: 515 km	COD0170, COD0183 COD0184, COD0188
Pan paniscus	2005	1.15	0.27 (0.14-0.56)	541 (281-1,119)	Salonga Lokofa (2,000 km²)	Line transects	Grossmann et al. 2008		COD0170, COD0183 COD0184, COD0188
Pan paniscus	2000-2002	24.4	2.78		Salonga Lokofa (25 km²)	Line transects	Reinartz et al. 2006		COD0152, COD0179 COD0180, COD0182, COD0185, COD0191, COD0192, COD0196, COD0198
Pan paniscus	2000	8	1.36		Salonga Beminyo (<10 km²)	Line transects	Reinartz et al. 2006		COD0152, COD0179 COD0180, COD0182, COD0185, COD0191, COD0192, COD0196, COD0198

Sampling methods Analytical frameworks

Threats

The bonobo is a taboo animal in some part of the South block, particularly (but not exclusively) in the Iyaelima area (Thompson et al. 2008), where the highest bonobo densities of the site have been observed, despite the presence of 8 permanent villages (Grossmann et al. 2008). However commercial hunters reach very deep into the site and hunting remains the main threat to the ape population (Hart et al. 2008). In addition, the frequent human presence within the site exposes bonobos to human-transmitted diseases such as the Ebola Haemorrhagic Fever. Two recent Ebola outbreaks were recorded north of the site, in Mbandaka (2018) and Boende (2014). Both are major centres in the region, with constant movement of people and traders from, and to, these towns.

Table 3. Threats to apes reported for Salonga National Park

Category	Specific threats	Threat level	Description	Year of threat
2 Agriculture & aquaculture	2.1.1 Shifting agriculture	Low (up to 30% of population affected)	Clearing land for agriculture (Salonga National Park). A small proportion of the site is concerned, with slash and burn concentrated outside the site borders.	Ongoing (2021)
5 Biological resource use	5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals	High (more than 70% of population affected)	SNP has a history of intense poaching for ivory and bushmeat. Bonobos are taboo in some area of the Park, but are nevertheless hunted for commercial purposes, demand for bonobo meat and parts coming from cities outside the block. Signs of both traditional and professional hunting can be found everywhere in the block. (Hart et al., 2008; Bessone pers. comm. 2020). Poaching has led to declines of up to 70% in bonobo numbers in some areas of the park. Surveys in the corridor between the two blocks showed that bonobos were rare or absent within 10 km of villages and completely absent in most of the northern part of the corridor (IUCN & ICCN 2012, WWF n.d.).	2008-Ongoing (2020)
8 Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases	8.4 Pathogens	Low (up to 30% of population affected)	The frequent presence of humans, particularly (but not solely) due to the presence of 8 villages within the site borders, exposes bonobos to human-transmitted diseases such as Ebola Haemorrhagic Fever, with two recent outbreaks north of the Park, in Mbandaka (2018) and Boende (2014).	2014, 2018
4 Transportation & service corridors	Other	High (more than 70% of population affected)	Nearly 85% of the north block is within 15 km of a river navigable by dugout canoe (Grossman et al. 2008).	Ongoing (2008)

Threats

Conservation activities

WWF has been working in Salonga since 2005, supporting the Congolese park authority ICCN (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature) in managing the park and engaging with local communities to identify and develop alternative livelihood opportunities (WWF n.d.). Since 2015, WWF is co-managing the park together with the ICCN (WWF n.d.). The site represents the largest existing expanse of legally-protected and intact bonobo habitat; protection of this park and it’s wildlife is therefore of paramount importance (IUCN & ICCN 2012). To control the increase in elephant poaching and the proliferation of military weapons in the region, government armed forces (FARDC) undertook a joint operation with ICCN, called Operation Bonobo, in 2011 (IUCN & ICCN 2012, Mukpo 2019). The operation was said to be successful in returning the ICCN control of the park.

Table 4. Conservation activities reported for Salonga National Park

Category	Specific activity	Description	Year of activity
2 Counter-wildlife crime	2.11 Implement monitoring surveillance strategies (e.g., SMART) or use monitoring data to improve effectiveness of patrols	Introduction of SMART to support anti-poaching efforts (WWF n.d., IUCN 2020).	Ongoing (2020)
2 Counter-wildlife crime	2.3 Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols	Regular patrols are conducted by the Park management and have significantly increased over the past 5 years (IUCN 2020).	Ongoing (2020)
2 Counter-wildlife crime	2.7 Provide better equipment (e.g., guns) to anti-poaching ranger patrols	IUCN 2020	Ongoing (2020)
2 Counter-wildlife crime	2.8 Provide training to anti-poaching ranger patrols	IUCN 2020	2018 and 2020
4 Education & awareness	4.1 Educate local communities about apes and sustainable use	IUCN 2020	Ongoing (2020)
5 Protection & restoration	5.2 Legally protect ape habitat	National Park since 1970.	1970-Ongoing (2026)
8 Permanent presence	8.3 Permanent presence of staff/manager	IUCN 2020	Ongoing (2020)

Conservation activities

Challenges

Table 5. Challenges reported for Salonga National Park

Challenges	Specific challenges	Source
1 Site management	1.3 Corruption	WWF n.d.
2 Resources and capacity	2.1 Lack of capacity/training	WWF n.d.
2 Resources and capacity	2.5 Lack of equipment/transportation	WWF n.d.

Challenges

Enablers

Table 6. Enablers reported for Salonga National Park

Enablers	Specific enablers	Source	Year(s)
1 Site management
2 Resources and capacity
3 Engaged community
4 Institutional support
5 Ecological context
6 Safety and stability

Enablers

Research activities

Reinartz et al. (2006; 2008), Grossmann et al. (2008), Maisels et al. (2010), WCS (2015) and Bessone et al. (2020) conducted surveys estimating bonobo and other species densities. Hart et al. (2008) reported on the impact of human activities on bonobos, and Thompson et al. (2008) on traditional culture of the Iyaelima people, with regard to bonobo conservation. In the buffer zone, west of the site, the LuiKotale Bonobo Project is conducting research on habituated bonobos, focusing on all aspects of bonobos’ ecology, physiology, behaviour and evolutionary history, as well as on ethnobotany (Hohmann and Fruth 2003). Research by Bessone et al. (2021) revealed that increasingly drier conditions have resulted in longer decay times of bonobo nests in Salonga. As climate change continues to affect the processes of nest decomposition and nest construction behaviour, nest decomposition times are likely to increase further in future years (Bessone et al. 2021). Unless population assessments account for this variation in nest decay, it may lead to the erroneous conclusion of increasing ape numbers when populations are actually stable or decreasing (Bessone et al. 2021).

Documented behaviours

Table 7. Behaviours documented for Salonga National Park

Category	Behavior	Observation type	Prevalence	Observation dates	Source	Habituation	Species	Comment
	Not reported

Behaviours

Exposure to climate change impacts

Table 8. Estimated past and projected climatological characteristics in Salonga National Park

Value	1981-2010	2021-2050, RCP 2.6	2021-2050, RCP 6.0	2071-2099, RCP 2.6	2071-2099, RCP 6.0
Mean temperature [C]	25.2	26.4	26.4	26.6	27.7
Annual precipitation [mm]	1851	1829	1823	1834	1851
Max no. consecutive dry days (per year)	12.9	16.2	15.9	19.1	15.4
No. days with heavy precipitation (per year)	6.8	9.7	10.3	9.8	12.2

Table 9. Projected exposure of apes to extreme climate impact events in Salonga National Park

Type	No. of years with event (2021-2050, RCP 2.6)	% of site exposed (2021-2050, RCP 2.6)	No. of years with event (2021-2050, RCP 6.0)	% of site exposed (2021-2050, RCP 6.0)	No. of years with event (2070-2099, RCP 2.6)	% of site exposed (2070-2099, RCP 2.6)	No. of years with event (2070-2099, RCP 6.0)	% of site exposed (2070-2099, RCP 6.0)
Crop failure	20	0.01	17	0.01	19	0.01	29	0.02
Drought	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Heatwave	10.5	41.73	11.5	29.11	12	43.06	25	55.5
River flood	1.5	0.04	2.25	0.38	2.75	0.39	5	1.77
Tropical cyclone	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Wildfire	30	0.57	30	0.56	29	0.6	29	0.42

Precipitation anomaly in Salonga National Park
Temperature anomaly in Salonga National Park

External links

Salonga National Park UNESCO World Heritage

Salonga National Park IUCN World Heritage Outlook

Salonga National Park WWF

References

Bessone, M., Booto, L., Santos, A. R., Kühl, H. S., & Fruth, B. (2021). No time to rest: How the effects of climate change on nest decay threaten the conservation of apes in the wild. PLOS ONE, 16(6), e0252527. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0252527

Bessone, M., Kühl, H. S., Hohmann, G., Herbinger, I., N'Goran, K. P., Asanzi, P., …, & Fruth, B. (2020). Drawn out of the shadows: Surveying secretive forest species with camera trap distance sampling. Journal of Applied Ecology, 57(5), 963-974. doi:10.1111/1365-2664.13602

BirdLife International. (2021). Important Bird Areas factsheet: Salonga National Park. Retrieved November 11, 2021, from https://www.birdlife.org

Fruth, B., Hickey, J. R., André, C., Furuichi, T., Hart, J., Hart, T., …, & Williamson, E. A. (2016). Pan paniscus. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2016-2.rlts.t15932a17964305.en

Grossmann, F., Hart, J. A., Vosper, A., & Ilambu, O. (2008). Range Occupation and Population Estimates of Bonobos in the Salonga National Park: Application to Large-scale Surveys of Bonobos in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects (pp. 189-216). Springer New York. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-74787-3_11

Hart, J. A., Grossmann, F., Vosper, A., & Ilanga, J. (2008). Human Hunting and its Impact on Bonobos in the Salonga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo. In Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects (pp. 245-271). Springer New York. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-74787-3_13

Hohmann, G., & Fruth, B. (2003). Lui Kotal - A new site for field research on bonobos in the Salonga National Park. Pan Africa News, 10(2), 25-27. doi:10.5134/143430

IUCN. (2020). Salonga National Park: 2020 conservation outlook assessment. IUCN World Heritage Outlook. https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org

IUCN, & ICCN (2012). Bonobo (Pan paniscus): Conservation Strategy 2012–2022. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group & Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature. link

Kano, T. (1984). Distribution of Pygmy Chimpanzees (Pan paniscus) in the Central Zaire Basin. Folia Primatologica, 43(1), 36-52. doi:10.1159/000156169

Maisels, F., Nkumu, P., Bonyenge, A., & Naky, P. (2010). Salonga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo: Terrestrial wildlife and human-impact monitoring programme. Survey report—Eastern sector of park [Unpublished report]. Wildlife Conservation Society.

Mukpo, A. (2019, June 12). Did efforts to protect DRC’s elephants and bonobos leave a trail of abuses? Mongabay. https://news.mongabay.com/2019/06/did-efforts-to-protect-drcs-elephants-and-bonobos-leave-a-trail-of-abuses/

Reinartz, G. E., Guislain, P., Bolinga, T. D. M., Isomana, E., Inogwabini, B., Bokomo, N., …, & Wema, L. W. (2008). Ecological Factors Influencing Bonobo Density and Distribution in the Salonga National Park: Applications for Population Assessment. In Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects (pp. 167-188). Springer New York. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-74787-3_10

Reinartz, G. E., Isia, I. B., Ngamankosi, M., & Wema, L. W. (2006). Effects of Forest Type and Human Presence on Bonobo (Pan paniscus) Density in the Salonga National Park1. International Journal of Primatology, 27(2), 603-634. doi:10.1007/s10764-006-9020-9

Thompson, J. M., Nestor, L. M., & Kabanda, R. B. (2008). Traditional Land-use Practices for Bonobo Conservation. In Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects (pp. 227-244). Springer New York. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-74787-3_12

WCS. (2015). Survey of the Lokofa Block of the Salonga National Park: Preliminary report. Wildlife Conservation Society.

WWF. (n.d.). Salonga Programme. https://www.wwf-congobasin.org/where_we_work/democratic_republic_of_congo/salonga_programme/ link

WWF. (2005). Anti-poaching patrol saves gorilla in Cameroon. Online: https://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?21899/b-Africa-Update-BBRAnti-poaching-patrol-saves-gorilla-in-Cameroon

Salonga National Park. https://salonga.org/the-park/

Page created by: Mattia Bessone Date: 2021-11-02

Page updated by: APES Atlas Team Date: 2025-10-29