{
  "id": 28524,
  "title": "Central African Republic’s Dzanga-Sangha tests the promise of wildlife tourism",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/07/31/central-african-republics-dzanga-sangha-tests-the-promise-of-wildlife",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-07-31T05:14:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mongabay",
    "slug": "mongabay",
    "url": "https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/07/central-african-republics-dzanga-sangha-tests-the-promise-of-wildlife-tourism/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the Central African Republic, a nation frequently associated with instability, a contrasting narrative emerges in the southwest. In March, Mongabay Africa program director David Akana and correspondent Rhett Ayers Butler journeyed to and around Dzanga-Sangha National Park, engaging with researchers, conservationists, local residents, and park officials. The impressions gathered did not align with the common narrative. Bayanga, the town bordering the park, has witnessed a slight increase in visitors. The main attractions within the park are Dzanga Bai, where forest elephants congregate in high numbers, and a community of habituated lowland gorillas. According to local officials, about 800 tourists visited in 2025, a modest total globally, but significant for the region. Gervais Pamongui, deputy director of the Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas, acknowledged this uptick as a sign of growth. He credited both the unique nature of the site and a degree of regional stability. Others echoed similar sentiments, though with reservations. A tour guide, Léonce Madomi, described the country's reputation for insecurity as \"both true and false,\" highlighting that Bayanga has largely escaped the turmoil affecting other areas. Lodges have reported more stable business, with guides and trackers enjoying more consistent work. For some residents, the influx of tourists has brought financial benefits, aiding expenses such as school fees or medical care. However, the benefits are far from uniform and remain limited in scope. The industry employs a small segment of the population, and fundamental challenges persist, including poor infrastructure and food shortages.",
  "summary": "Founder’s Briefs: An occasional series where Mongabay founder Rhett Ayers Butler shares analysis, perspectives and story summaries. In the Central African Republic, a country often seen mainly through the lens of instability, a different story is unfolding in its southwest. In March, Mongabay Africa program director David Akana and I spent time in and around […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Dzanga-Sangha National Park in Central African Republic shows promise for wildlife tourism.",
    "About 800 tourists visited in 2025, benefiting local lodges and guides.",
    "Insecurity in the country is both true and false, with Bayanga escaping turmoil."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}