Kahuzi-Biega

Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP), located in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is renowned for its diverse range of ecosystems, including montane forests and subalpine grasslands. It holds great ecological significance as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to endangered species such as the Grauer's gorilla. Conservation efforts in Kahuzi-Biega are crucial to protect its unique biodiversity and ensure the survival of these endangered species and sustain ecosystem services for local communities. The Park is also all that remains of the ancestral home of the indigenous Batwa peoples in the upland sector of the park, who attach significant cultural importance to the forest. WCS has been working in Kahuzi-Biega since the late 1950s partnering with the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN). To strengthen the management of KBNP, ICCN signed an agreement delegating the management of Kahuzi-Biega National Park to WCS for a period of 10 years.