Poaching escalates in Garamba National Park

Threat of poaching increased following the capture of Maridi by the Sudan's People's Liberation Army (SPLA) in 1991 and the subsequent influx of refugees to Zaire. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that 60.000 refugees are in the area to the west of the park, with a further 20.000 to the east. The greatest threat comes from across the border where rebel armies need food. An adult male rhino ?Bawesi' was killed by poachers in February 1996, and a pregnant 10-year old female ?Julliet' was found dead at the end of March 1996. Poachers hacked off the horns.

4864 sq km UNESCO World Heritage Site.