Moukalaba-Doudou National Park, Gabon. Picture: ANPN

As the U.N. Cop 27 Climate Change Conference begins, the government of Gabon and WildAid have launched a “Wonders of Gabon” campaign to highlight the West African country’s stunning landscapes and rich wildlife, while raising awareness of the threats they face and ways to address those threats.

The campaign, developed with the collaboration of the Ministry of Water, Forests, Sea, and Environment, In Charge of the Climate Plan and Land-Use Plan, and the National Agency for National Parks (ANPN), will also promote Gabon as a leading eco-tourism destination in Africa, with short videos to be broadcast on screens throughout the Leon Mba International Airport in Libreville between November 2022 and April 2023.

“Gabon is a unique and remarkably preserved country with many varied and biodiverse ecosystems,” said Gabon’s Environment Minister Lee White.

“It is the only place in the world where you can see gorillas, hippos surfing the waves, elephants beach combing and whales on the same day,” Prof. White added. “This rich natural treasure will soon be revealed to the world as a new ecotourism destination.”

Leopard in Lope National Park, Gabon. Picture: Sebastian Kennerknecht/ANPN

Gabon is home to 13 national parks, including two World Heritage Sites, covering 11% of the country, as well as a series of wildlife reserves, cultural protected areas and wetlands sites recognised as of international importance under the RAMSAR convention, bringing its total terrestrial protected area cover to 21%. It also has nine marine parks and 11 aquatic reserves, with 27% of its marine ecosystems protected, White said.

Lope National Park, Gabon. Picture: Kevin Ndong/ANPN

“Whether we land from abroad for work or for holidays, or whether we travel through the nine regions of Gabon, awareness of this unique wealth is essential because it reminds us at every moment of the beauty of this environment but also of the importance it plays in our daily lives and for our well-being,” says Jennifer Biffot, WildAid Gabon Representative.

Each week, a new #WondersofGabon video highlighting this incredible natural heritage will also be released on the WildAid Instagram and WildAid TikTok channels. A billboard has also been placed within the airport since May.

Located between the vast territories of Cameroon and the Republic of Congo, the 267,667 km² that make up Gabon are among the most precious in the Congo Basin region.

Lope National Park, Gabon. Picture: Kevin Ndong/ANPN

With more than 88% of its territory covered by forest, making it the second most forested country on the planet, Gabon plays a key role in the battle to preserve the vast Congo rainforest, sometimes known as the world’s second green lung.

“From the largest elephant population, to the largest leatherback turtle egg-laying site, to the most intact forests in the world, the National Parks Agency selflessly protects the exceptional value found in its national parks, for the good of the Gabonese people and the entire planet,” said ANPN Executive Secretary Christian Tchemambela.

Moukalaba-Doudou National Park, Gabon. Picture: ANPN

Gabon also has one of the world’s largest and most diverse wild ecosystems with a rich and unique fauna and flora, including roughly two thirds of Africa’s remaining forest elephants, as well as gorillas, chimpanzees, panthers, hippos and pangolins.

This remarkable biodiversity is part of the pride of the nation, and the history and culture of its people and yet it is more at risk of irreversible degradation today than ever before due to the many threats it faces.

Find out more about WildAid’s campaigns in Gabon.

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About WildAid

WildAid is a non-profit organization with a mission to protect wildlife from illegal trade and other imminent threats. While most wildlife conservation groups focus on protecting animals from poaching, WildAid primarily works to reduce global consumption of wildlife products such as elephant ivory, rhino horn and shark fin soup. With an unrivaled portfolio of celebrity ambassadors and a global network of media partners, WildAid leverages more than $308 million in annual pro-bono media support with a simple message: When the Buying Stops, the Killing Can Too. 

Journalists on deadline may email communications@wildaid.org