Before 1980, the forest of the Iyondji grouping, located within the Maringa-Lopori-Wamba landscape in the DRC, was unaffected by human pressures and hosted a wide range of wild animal species, such as bonobos and elephants, within a forest that was 80% primary forest. Faced with threats to the area caused by conflict, the inhabitants of this grouping organised themselves to carry out conservation activities aimed at saving these endangered species, establishing an association called “La Forêt des Bonobos” (LFB) in 1991.
Since 2007, AWF and WCBR, two international organisations, have supported the association’s efforts, which culminated in April 2012 with official recognition by the Congolese State of the “Iyondji Community Bonobo Reserve”, covering an area of 110,000 ha, under a full participatory protection status.
The project’s overall objective is to help halt the pressures currently affecting the Iyondji reserve.
6,324 inhabitants, spread across around ten villages, are concerned by the project.
