Sensitization on human-wildlife conflict in a webinar in Kinshasa

Kinshasa, March 17^th, 2026 (CPA) – A webinar of sensitization of the general public on human-wildlife conflicts and the sustainable conservation of wildlife in Africa has been hosted on Tuesday, on a digital platform in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, by a veterinarian specialising in wildlife. “This webinar is an initiative of IUCN PAPACO, organised to sensitise a wide audience to issues related to human-wildlife conflict and the sustainable conservation of wildlife in Africa,” has declared Dr Paulin Mungongo, a wildlife veterinarian and lecturer at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. During the virtual discussions, the veterinarian has explained that human-wildlife conflicts result mainly from increasing pressure on natural habitats, the expansion of human activities, deforestation, agricultural expansion and the scarcity of natural resources. “This is all the more important as this phenomenon is growing in scale and negatively affecting both wildlife and local communities, which further complicates conservation efforts,” he has emphasised. He has indicated that DRC has also faced this challenge, with recent cases of elephant attacks and straying causing considerable damage in several localities, sometimes resulting in injuries or deaths in the provinces of Haut-Lomami, Kwango and Nord-Ubangi. The webinar has provided an opportunity to share strategies for mitigating these conflicts, based on both local expertise and modern approaches, such as deterrent fires and GPS tracking of animals. During the webinar, it has been confirmed that coexistence between humans and wildlife is possible, provided that concerted, sustainable approaches tailored to African realities are promoted. ACP/