Biodiversity
Our Protected Species
The DRC is the most megadiverse country in Africa, home to more than 50% of the continent's tropical forests and thousands of endemic species. The ICCN is responsible for their protection in accordance with the CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which the DRC acceded to in 1976.
In danger
CITES Appendix I
Okapi
Okapia johnstoni
The emblematic animal of the DRC. The sole survivor of the Giraffidae family in Africa, the okapi is endemic to the tropical forests of eastern Congo. Its discovery by scientists in 1901 was one of the greatest zoological surprises of the 20th century.
- Location : Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Ituri)
- Threats : Habitat loss, poaching, instability in the Ituri region.
In danger
CITES Appendix I
Mountain Gorilla
Gorilla beringei beringei
Our forest cousins. Mountain gorillas live in the high-altitude forests of Virunga. Thanks to conservation efforts, their population is gradually increasing — one of the few endangered species whose numbers are on the rise.
- Location : Virunga National Park
- Threats : Poaching, man-borne diseases, armed conflicts.
Critically endangered
CITES Appendix I
Grauer's Gorilla
Gorilla beringei graueri
The largest living primate, endemic to eastern DRC. Its population has declined by more than 60% in 20 years, mainly due to illegal mining and poaching in its habitat.
- Location : Kahuzi-Biega National Park
- Threats : Mining, poaching, habitat fragmentation.
In danger
CITES Appendix I
Bonobo
Pan paniscus
Unique to the left bank of the Congo River, the bonobo is one of our closest genetic relatives. Endemic to the DRC, it lives exclusively in the tropical forests south of the Congo River.
- Location : Salonga National Park, Lomami Reserve
- Threats : Deforestation, commercial hunting, agricultural expansion.
Critically endangered
CITES Appendix I
Forest elephant
Loxodonta cyclotis
Architect of ecosystems. The forest elephant plays a crucial role in seed dispersal and maintaining forest structure. Its populations have declined by more than 90% in 30 years due to international poaching for ivory.
- Location : Several parks and reserves
- Threats : Poaching for ivory, habitat loss, human-wildlife conflicts.
Vulnerable
CITES Appendix II
Congo Peacock
Afropavo congensis
Mysterious endemism. The Congo peafowl is the only pheasant endemic to Africa. Discovered in 1936, it remains one of the continent’s most elusive birds, living in dense and remote forests.
- Location : Forests of the central basin
- Threats : Deforestation, hunting, degradation of forest habitat.
Critically endangered
CITES Appendix I
Rain tree
Samanea saman
A majestic species native to South America, the Samanea saman is the oldest tree in the Kinshasa Botanical Garden. Nicknamed the “rain tree”, it is distinguished by its ability to fold its leaflets as soon as the light decreases or in overcast weather, thus allowing rain and dew to directly fertilize the soil at its base.
- Location : Kinshasa Botanical Garden, Agroforestry areas.
- Status : Heritage species (Tree several hundred years old).
- peculiarity : As an atmospheric nitrogen fixer, it naturally fertilizes the surrounding soils.
