CREATION OF THE ZAH SOO NATIONAL PARK IN CHAD

The Zah Soo National Park, the 4th National Park of Chad, with an area of 815 km², is the result of the conservation of the still intact core area of the Binder-Léré Wildlife Reserve. Located in the southwest of Chad, in a gradient of unique Sudano-Sahelian ecosystems, this mosaic of savannahs, gallery forests, rivers and wetlands of Mayo Kebbi makes this protected area one of the most diverse in the country.

The Park is home to many emblematic species, including the 3rd largest population of savannah elephants in Chad, the Kordofan giraffe, leopard, buffalo, roan hippotrague and many other species, including the country's only manatee population. Within the park, the Zah Soo Falls, with a drop of 45 metres, are the most spectacular waterfalls in Chad. This natural barrier, impassable for fish species from the Niger basin to the Chad basin, has given rise to a great diversity of fish.

 

THE CHALLENGES

Once home to an abundance of wildlife, this wilderness area, which has been classified as a Wildlife Reserve since 1974, has seen its populations drastically decline, and species such as the lion and black rhino disappear under heavy poaching pressure.

Part of the reserve, without effective management or surveillance, has also been degraded by agriculture and human activities. Faced with this situation, the Ministry of the Environment, Fisheries and Sustainable Development of Chad, the NGO Noé and local actors, including local populations, have decided to strengthen the protection status of the heart of the Binder-Léré Wildlife Reserve as a National Park, in a partnership-based territory project.

"The creation of this new National Park for Chad, and its effective protection, are a tremendous message of hope for the safeguarding of Chad's natural heritage, for the local communities who will benefit from this territory project, and for future generations". Arnaud Greth, President of Noé

A HISTORIC COLLABORATION FOR THE BENEFIT OF BIODIVERSITY

On 26 July 2021, a partnership agreement was signed between Chad's Minister of the Environment, Mahamat Ahmat Lazina, and Noé's President, Arnaud Greth, entrusting Noé with the management of Zah Soo National Park for a period of 15 years. This unique collaboration will help to meet the management challenges of developing the protected area, supporting the development of local communities on the periphery of the park, safeguarding endangered species through better protection, and ultimately developing its tourist appeal.

WORK MADE POSSIBLE BY THE SUPPORT OF THE FRENCH DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

The creation of Zah Soo National Park was made possible thanks to the support of the French Development Agency (AFD) which, along with the European Union, are Noé's main financial partners in ensuring its long-term sustainability.