MANAGEMENT

Today, the Park is administered through a public-private partnership agreement between the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN), the public institution responsible for protected areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), which has been involved in scientific research and the protection of great apes in the DRC since the 1950s.

This governance structure aims to enable the Park's management to professionalize operations, secure significant new investment, and increase staff and infrastructure to meet the scale of the conservation challenge, while fully respecting the ICCN's sovereign responsibilities in areas such as anti-poaching and law enforcement.

THE CONGOLESE INSTITUTE FOR NATURE CONSERVATION (ICCN)
THE CONGOLESE INSTITUTE FOR NATURE CONSERVATION (ICCN)

The Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation is a public entity responsible for the sustainable management of biodiversity in protected areas. It organizes, implements, and monitors the application of the regulatory and legislative framework for the wildlife sector. It ensures the effective and sustainable conservation and management of biodiversity throughout DRC's National Network of Protected Areas, in cooperation with local communities and other partners for the well-being of the Congolese people and all of humanity.

Its objectives are to ensure the protection of fauna and flora in protected areas, to promote research and tourism in these environments, and to manage capture and domestication stations.

The Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation has its own legal personality and financial autonomy. It is under the supervision of three ministries, namely the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Ministry of National Defense and Veterans Affairs.

THE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY
THE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is an international NGO dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and wild places. It works in more than 50 countries and in more than 350 protected areas around the world. WCS is headquartered at the Bronx Zoo in New York.

For more than 20 years, WCS has supported the conservation of the Park, its fauna and flora, in partnership with the Congolese government and more specifically ICCN. WCS has also been involved in the Oku forests since 2010, which have no official protection status despite considerable community support for their conservation.

WCS DRC's mission is to preserve biodiversity, promote scientific research, and ensure that local people are the primary beneficiaries of conservation efforts. WCS DRC aspires to a future where the integrity of protected areas and the sustainable use of natural resources ensure that ecosystems and populations thrive in a healthy and prosperous environment.

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Arthur KALONJI MULAMAYI

Director and Acting Head of Site of the Park

Dr. Arthur Kalonji is a conservation professional with a strong academic background, including a PhD at the University of Lubumbashi and various degrees in land use planning, project planning, and veterinary medicine. He has recognized expertise in protected area management, anti-poaching and environmental law.

His professional career has led him to hold several management positions, including Director and Head of Site at the Kinshasa Zoological Garden, Upemba National Park and Mangrove Marine Park. He has been involved in drafting conservation projects, managing teams, and monitoring anti-poaching activities. Dr. Kalonji has also led biomonitoring and community conservation initiatives in various parks.

In addition to his field responsibilities, he has participated in numerous international workshops and conferences on conservation, great ape health, and natural resource management. Dr. Kalonji is a member of several conservation organizations and has strong computer and language skills, including French, English, and Swahili.
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Emmanuel BAHATI LUKOO

Deputy Site Manager of the Park

With over 10 years of experience in protected area management, he is currently Deputy Site Manager at Kahuzi-Biega National Park. His career includes having held key positions at Virunga National Park, where he oversaw conservation operations, combated poaching, and strengthened relationships with local communities, developing expertise in biodiversity protection and security operations management.

He holds a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Management Sciences and a diploma in Tourism and Nature Conservation, and has completed several professional training courses, including in conservation and humanitarian security, consolidating his skills in protected area management.

His experience includes leadership roles, notably as Head of Sector at Virunga National Park, where he managed conservation initiatives and sustainable development programs. His commitment to protecting fragile ecosystems and promoting sustainable community development is at the heart of his professional approach.

Composition of KBNP Board of Directors

Milan Ngangay Yves (President), General Director, ICCN 
Kibambe Lubamba Jean-Paul (Vice-President), Country Director, WCS DRC
Shalukoma Ndukura Chantal (Member), ICCN
Engelemba Bokuwe Célestin (Member), ICCN
Stokes Emma (Member), Vice-President for Field Conservation, WCS
Holmes Christopher (Member), Regional Director, WCS Central Africa and Gulf of Guinea
Munyali Kachibaasa (Member), Representative for Indigenous Peoples 
Sa Majesté Mwami Alexandre Kabare Rugemaninzi III N’nabushi XXX (Member), Representative for Local Communities
(9th Member), to be nominated  

KBNP Board of Directors Charter
2025
French (to be added soon)

The conservation of Kahuzi-Biega National Park is the result of the work of many partners, including:

  • Gorilla Doctors
  • Primate Expertise
  • Pole Pole Foundation
  • Strong Roots
  • Wild Earth Allies
  • GIZ - Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, the German agency for international development cooperation
 

The conservation of Kahuzi-Biega National Park is made possible thanks to the vital support of our donors, including:

  • Jane Goodall Institute (JGI)
  • KfW Development Bank
  • Okapi Fund for the Conservation of Nature
  • Rainforest Trust
  • Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
  • UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF)