Which protected areas help conserve wildlife in and near the Ituri Forest?

Efforts to conserve the wildlife of the Ituri Forest are primarily focused on two protected areas:

• Maiko National Park: Located on the southern edge of the Ituri Forest, this park provides habitat and protection for various species, including the forest elephant, the okapi, the Congo peacock, the aardvark, and the chimpanzee.1
• Okapi Wildlife Reserve: Situated to the northeast, this reserve was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996. It serves as a critical refuge for the threatened okapi, as well as other forest-dwelling animals.12

While these areas are essential for conservation, it is important to acknowledge that both face significant threats. Poaching, the destruction of forest habitats, and the long-term impacts of civil strife have severely hindered conservation efforts and continue to endanger the diverse wildlife within these regions.1