Central African Republic
Central African Republic Country Profile
Central African Republic is a landlocked country in Central Africa, with a land area of about 620,000 square kilometres (240,000 sq mi). Central African Republic is bordered by Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo and Cameroon. The country has a relatively small population of about 5.5 million people and two official languages, French and Sango (also spelled Sangho). Central African Republic is one of the few African countries to have granted official status to an African language.
Geography & Wildlife
Whilst much of Central African Republic’s landscape consists of flat or rolling plateau savanna, it also has dense forested areas, estimated to cover around 8% of the country. Thick forest areas are found in the south of the county, woody savanna in the centre and grasslands in the north.
Central Africa Republic is home to an array of wildlife including elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees, crocodiles, hippos, giraffe and several species of pangolin and an abundance of birds and insects.
Main Conservation Challenges
Deforestation and fragmentation due to timber exploitation and agriculture. Unsustainable slash-and-burn agricultural practices and wildlife poaching, including capture of animals for use wildlife trade.
Our work in Central African Republic
Sangha Pangolin Project
Animals: pangolins
Supported since: 2016
Work: rescue & care
Sangha Pangolin Project is situated on a beautiful site on a small peninsula of the mighty Sangha River, bordering the protected area of Dzanga Sangha National Park. The Project operates out of Sangha Lodge and is led by Project Founders and Lodge Owners Rod and Tamar Cassidy. The area was once a hunting concession, but since responsibility passed to the Rod and Tamar, hunting has ceased. The area is as rich in wildlife as the protected area and is little explored.
Threats to wild animals are ever present – illegal logging and poaching for the bushmeat trade are big problems. Pangolins are one of the most illegally traded mammal species, killed for their meat, whilst their scales are used in traditional Asian medicines. But project founders, Rod and Tamar Cassidy, are doing what they can to help pangolins in need, by caring for orphaned infants and those rescued from the wildlife trade.