The Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI) congratulates the government of Angola and African Parks, a non-profit conservation organisation, on the signing of a management agreement for Iona National Park.
Iona National Park, Angola. Photo credit Ted Woods
The co-management agreement – the first of its kind in Angola – aims to ensure the long-term protection of one of the country’s most pristine areas. Iona is a desert landscape of more than 15000 square km, stretching from the Atlantic coastline across plains and mountains.
Angola is an EPI member state. The signature of this agreement is the latest example of innovation by the Ministry of the Environment (MINAMB) and the National Institute for Biodiversity and Protected Areas (INBAC) in addressing biodiversity challenges.
African Parks is a valued conservation partner of the Elephant Protection Initiative. Iona is an important new addition to African Parks’ management portfolio, which now includes 17 parks in 11 countries.
Signing of the Iona management agreement, attended by EPI Foundation CEO, Miles Geldard (far right).
Angola was home to an estimated 70,000 elephants in the mid-1970s, but there was a drastic decline during the long civil war. The Angolan authorities are determined to nurture and protect the country’s precious biodiversity. The EPI Foundation is working to support the country in this vital effort.