Characterisation of Human-Wildlife Conflicts around the Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Human-wildlife conflicts around Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP) in the Democratic Republic of Congo are marked by significant crop destruction, physical attacks on humans, and zoonotic disease transmission, primarily involving primates such as monkeys, chimpanzees, and gorillas. Despite conservation efforts, these conflicts persist due to limited community management strategies and local resentment over restricted access to natural resources. Surveys of 260 households revealed that wildlife encroachment into villages also leads to poaching near park boundaries. Sustainable conflict resolution requires integrating community-based conservation approaches to address these challenges effectively.

Matthieu, B. M., Stany, V., Rodrigue, A. B., Freddy, M., Nicole, B.-F., & Serge, B. K. (2024). Characterisation of Human-Wildlife Conflicts around the Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Journal of Environmental Protection, 15(03), 343–356. https://doi.org/10.4236/jep.2024.153020