742 new species of wildlife and plants have been discovered in the Congo Basin in the last ten years, a report released by WWF reveals. The report entitled New Life in the Congo Basin: a Decade of Species Discoveries (2013 – 2023) highlights the remarkable biodiversity and the urgent conservation needs of one of the world’s most vital ecosystems.
The report documents the work of hundreds of scientists from universities, conservation organizations, and research institutes around the world. It reveals a stunning array of new species, including previously unknown plants, invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Among these discoveries are a slender-snouted crocodile, a new coffee plant, and a monkey known locally as the ‘lesula’. Other new species include a dragonfly named after a Pink Floyd album, an owl with a cat-like call, a striking venomous bush viper, delicate orchids, and brightly-colored killifish.
The findings illustrate not only the richness of the Congo Basin but also the pressing need for conservation efforts to protect its fragile ecosystems. Known as the “lungs of Africa”, the Congo Basin is the largest carbon sink in the world. It is also the largest tropical peatland in the world. Spanning six countries, its rainforest provides food security and an essential lifeline for Indigenous and local populations and serves as a critical habitat for endangered species.
This latest report follows the WWF’s Living Planet Report 2024 which revealed an alarming decline in global wildlife populations, particularly in tropical regions. As the world faces increasing threats including dangerous tipping points, the Congo Basin’s significance has never been greater.
“The Congo Basin is not just a biodiversity haven; it is essential for the well-being of over 75 million people who depend on its resources for food, shelter, and cultural identity,” said Dr. Martin Kabaluapa, WWF Regional Director for the Congo Basin. “This report serves as a call to action for governments, conservationists, and communities to work together to safeguard this irreplaceable natural heritage. As we celebrate these discoveries, we also recognize that they come with an urgent responsibility to protect these vital ecosystems.”
The Congo Basin faces major environmental pressures, including deforestation, poaching, climate change, mining, and human-wildlife conflict. These threats endanger not only newly discovered species but also iconic species like forest elephants and great apes.
“Our commitment to the Congo Basin is unwavering,” said Jaap van der Waarde, Head of Conservation for the Congo Basin at WWF International. “WWF is working alongside governments, partner organizations, local communities, and indigenous groups to protect these ecosystems. From bio-monitoring programs to FSC certification of logging concessions, our goal is to ensure that future generations will experience the wonders of the Congo Basin.”
The report also celebrates the role of indigenous knowledge in conservation. Indigenous communities, who have coexisted with these forests for generations, are key to preserving and understanding this biodiversity. Many of the species in this report, while newly described in scientific literature, have been familiar to local communities through generations.
“For centuries, indigenous communities have lived in harmony with the forests. Recognizing their knowledge is integral to conservation success,” said Moise Kono, Indigenous Peoples Coordinator for WWF Cameroon. “Their voices and rights must be respected as stewards of this land,” Kono added.
WWF calls for urgent action to protect the unique and endangered biodiversity in the Congo Basin. The governments in the region have agreed to bring 30% of their land under some form of protection by 2030 and WWF is supporting them to identify these areas and effectively protect them.
The existing protected areas are also in dire need of more effective management. Meanwhile, a recent study conducted in Gabon and the Republic of Congo revealed that a higher number of large mammals are found in logging concessions certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) unlike in non-certified forests. Sustainability certification is therefore a proven method to both protect biodiversity and create economic benefits for communities and governments
