Illegal mining inside the Okapi Wildlife Reserve in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to spread, satellite data show, driving environmental devastation. Deforestation stayed at a near-record high in 2023, and preliminary data for 2024 shows that clearing continues apace. The Okapi Wildlife Reserve covers 14,000 square kilometers (5,405 square miles) of Congo […]
  • The Okapi Wildlife Reserve in the Democratic Republic of the Congo protects vast tracks of primary Congo Basin rainforest, and is a stronghold for endangered species including the iconic okapi (Okapia johnstoni) and African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis).
  • The reserve is also the home to Indigenous Mbuti and Efe forest peoples, who depend on forest resources.
  • Deforestation in the reserve remained high in 2023, and continued to spread this year, according to satellite data from the Global Forest Watch platform.
  • Illegal artisanal and semi-industrial gold mining within the reserve is driving deforestation, poaching and environmental destruction.