Gabon’s 13 national parks are increasingly threatened by human activities, particularly along border areas. To strengthen the management of these protected areas, the project, now closed, supported protection of Gabon’s 13 national parks against poaching, illegal resource extraction and encroachment. It financed field patrols, vehicles and essential operating support, helping park teams reach remote areas and respond to threats to forests and wildlife.
Safeguarding and Expanding Gabon’s Protected Area Network
Countries:
Gabon
Topics:
Forest sector
Status:
Closed
Amount:
$9,025,878
Start Date:
11/10/2022
End Date:
01/08/2025
Implementing Organizations:
UNDP
National Partners:
National Parks Agency (ANPN)
Objectives
The project sought to
- Safeguard the ecological integrity of Gabon’s national parks.
- Strengthen field-level enforcement capacity of the National Parks Agency, by recruiting and training at least 30 park staff and equipping 2 border park units with aerial and ground surveillance
- Establish buffer zones and improve park infrastructure in targeted areas
staff trained and deployed
surveillance and anti-encroachment missions conducted across all 13 national parks
arrests involving illegal activities
Results to date
By project closure, the following was achieved :
-
- New headquarters for Raponda Walker Arboretum completed.
- With 18 staff recruited by the National Parks Agency in 2024, trained in protected area management and surveillance, and deployed to park boundaries, the project financed 217 surveillance and anti-encroachment missions across all 13 national parks, covering 27,602 kilometres. Operations recorded 137 offences and led to 200 arrests involving illegal activities such as poaching, logging, gold mining and fishing.
- Each national park received a 4×4 vehicle. Funding also covered fuel, vehicle maintenance and repairs, enabling teams to transport personnel and equipment and patrol remote areas.
- Support covered maintenance of park bases and essential operating needs, helping sustain the field presence required for surveillance and conservation.
Project Document 
Gallery
