How do poaching and habitat destruction threaten wildlife in the Ituri Forest?

Poaching and habitat destruction pose severe threats to the wildlife of the Ituri Forest. Despite the presence of protected areas like the Okapi Wildlife Reserve and Maiko National Park, these regions face significant pressure from illegal activities that endanger species such as the forest elephant, chimpanzee, and the endemic okapi.1

• Poaching: The forest suffers from persistent poaching, which is often driven by commercial profit. Notably, an illicit ivory trade continues to thrive in the region, contributing to a rapid decline in elephant populations. These illegal hunting practices are difficult to control, and conservation efforts have been further hampered by civil strife that has persisted since the late 1990s.12
• Habitat Destruction: The integrity of the forest ecosystem is threatened by the loss and degradation of habitat. While traditional slash-and-burn cultivation creates a mosaic of habitats, broader destruction of the forest environment eliminates essential resources for wildlife. Protecting these ecosystems is a moral imperative, as the loss of habitat directly threatens the survival of the forest's diverse animal populations.13