The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

The Annotated Ramsar List: Democratic Republic of Congo

The Annotated Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO / RÉPUBLIQUE DÉMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO / REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA DEL CONGO

The Convention on Wetlands came into force for the Democratic Republic of Congo on 18 May 1996. The Democratic Republic of Congo presently has 2 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance, with a surface area of 866,000 hectares.

site; date of designation; region, province, state; surface area; coordinates
site; date de désignation; région, province, état; superficie; coordonnées
sitios; fecha de designación; región, provincia, estado; área; coordenadas

Parc national des Mangroves. 18/01/96; Bas-Zaïre; 66,000 ha; 05º45’S 012º45’E. Added to the Montreux Record, 11 April 2000. Two plateaus bordered by swamplands along the Zaire River, including coastal and riverine waters, inland ponds, and swamps. Vegetation consists of wet grassland interspersed with forest savanna, grassland savanna, swamp and mangroves. The site supports important fish and crustacean reserves for local fisheries. Nine species of rare or endangered mammals occur, including the manatee; six bird and eight reptile species, including marine turtles, are at risk from habitat destruction. Human activities include fishing, the gathering of medicinal plants, and subsistence cropping.Threats include extensive fuelwood cutting, refinery pollution, and uncontrolled urban development. Ramsar site no. 788. Most recent RIS information: ?.

Parc national des Virunga. 18/01/96; Nord-Kivu; 800,000 ha; 01º15’S 029º30’E. World Heritage site. Lying astride the equator and situated in the African Rift Valley, the site contains most tropical biotopes and boasts some of the most substantial concentrations of wild mammals in Africa, or indeed in the world. The Park fringes several biogeographical regions, includes volcanoes recent in origin and still active, and two large lakes. The area is important feeding and wintering ground for migratory birds and is one of the few places where mountain gorilla can be studied in their natural environment. The large mammals include endangered and endemic species. Archaeologically important, the oldest stone tools in the world have been discovered along the lake shores. Human activities include tourism, conservation education, fishing, hunting, subsistence farming and agroforestry (fuelwood). There is a research center in the park. Ramsar site no. 787. Most recent RIS information: ?.

For further information about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Secretariat, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ). Posted 19 January 2000, updated 11 July 2000, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.