Germany has just offered the Côte d'Ivoire's Park and Reserves Foundation 1,5 billion CFA Francs (US$ 3.2 millions). According to Mr Stephen Keller, German Ambassador in Côte d'Ivoire, this donation is justified by the fact that "the Ivorian parks and reserves, including Taï which will benefit from this funding, have a rich biodiversity that needs protection."
The Taï National Park, situated in the South-West of the Côte d'Ivoire, is one of the most important African forests. It was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1982 as it is one of the last major remnants of the primary tropical forest of West Africa. This park provides us with the opportunity to preserve the genetic reservoir of a complex forest ecosystem. Its rich natural flora and threatened mammal species, such as the pygmy hippopotamus and eleven species of monkeys, are of great scientific interest.
Like many National Parks, the Taï National Park is confronted with various types of threats such as poaching, infiltrations for agricultural purposes and mining.
The decision for Germany's generous contribution was taken according to the recommendations made by the World Heritage Committee during the 33rd Session last July, in Seville. The Committee called upon the international community to continue its support to the management of the property and asked the Côte d'Ivoire to continue its efforts against the threats that the Park is facing.
