UK supports Angolan NGO in tackling Illegal Wildlife Trade
UK funding of £25,000 will support an Angolan project to help protect Cuando Cubango’s wildlife through education and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Ambassador John Dennis with Pascoal Baptistiny Head of Mbakita (Cubango's beneficiary mission for inclusion, technology and environment)
UK Ambassador John Dennis and the Angolan NGO MBAKITA’s Director Pascoal Baptistiny signed the project contract that will contribute to reducing the illegal trade in endangered species, fauna and flora in the Cuando Cubango province until March 2018.
This project will facilitate and promote environmental education as well as sustainable agricultural practices in the communities of Menongue, Calai, Cuangar and Dirico. The project expects to reach 500 people in urban and rural areas of Cuando Cubango and help preserve the province’s wildlife and natural resources.
The UK government is committed to tackling illegal wildlife trade, a global criminal industry worth more than £6 billion each year threatening both wildlife and people. Our focus is on improving enforcement, reducing demand for products and supporting sustainable livelihoods and economic development in the communities affected.
Further information
Cuando Cubango, Angola’s most south-eastern province has an area of 199,049 km2 of which 80% is covered by forests. It is the second largest province in Angola and holds 40% of the country’s water resources, including three navigable rivers (Cubango, Cuando and Cuíto). The province has borders with Zambia and Namibia and is home to most of Angola’s elephant population, as well as an abundance of other wildlife.