Changes

= Site characteristics = <!-- A paragraph summary of physical and geographic aspects of the site, and a table of key information -->

= Site characteristics = <!-- A paragraph summary of physical and geographic aspects of the site, and a table of key information -->

The Banco National Park was created in October 1953. It is located in the heart of the Ivorian economic capital, Abidjan, and is bounded by the municipalities of Adjamé, Attécoubé, Abobo, and Yopougon. The surface of the park has shrunk over the years and now covers an area of 3,438 hectares. Being the unique remaining relic of the dense primary forest that once covered the area of Abidjan, Banco National Park is often described as the hydraulic reservoir and green lung of the economic capital of Côte d'Ivoire. This protected area is a center for environmental education (OIPR 2020). The park holds about 600 ha of primary forests; an arboretum of over 800 species of higher plants native to the tropics of Africa, Asia and Latin America; many fish ponds located in the heart of the park, a semi-natural swimming pool, an ecomuseum, and the presence of a family of chimpanzees (OIPR 2020).

The Banco National Park was created in October 1953. It is located in the heart of the Ivorian economic capital, Abidjan, and is bounded by the municipalities of Adjamé, Attécoubé, Abobo, and Yopougon. The surface of the park has shrunk over the years and now covers an area of 3,438 hectares. Being the unique remaining relic of the dense primary forest that once covered the area of Abidjan, Banco National Park is often described as the hydraulic reservoir and green lung of the economic capital of Côte d'Ivoire. This protected area is a center for environmental education (OIPR 2020). The park holds about 600 ha of primary forests; an arboretum of over 800 species of higher plants native to the tropics of Africa, Asia and Latin America; many fish ponds located in the heart of the park, a semi-natural swimming pool, an ecomuseum, and the presence of a family of chimpanzees (OIPR 2020).

Based on a wildlife survey (Bitty et al. 2013), the site is home to a number mammal species, including primates (chimpanzees, Campbell's mona monkey, and lesser white-nosed monkey), ungulates (harnessed bushbuck, Maxwell's duiker, Royal antelope), and predators, such as the cape genet, common kusimanse, and African civet (OIPR 2020).

Based on a wildlife survey (Bitty et al. 2013), the site is home to a number mammal species, including primates (chimpanzees, Campbell's mona monkey, and lesser white-nosed monkey), ungulates (harnessed bushbuck, Maxwell's duiker, Royal antelope), and predators, such as the cape genet, common kusimanse, and African civet (OIPR 2020).

= Threats =    <!-- a text overview of threats, followed by a table of key threats -->

= Threats =    <!-- a text overview of threats, followed by a table of key threats -->

 

Banco National Park is highly threatened by the neighboring populations, which exert a high pressure on the fauna and flora of the park. Snares are regularly found and poachers caught, illustrating that poaching is very much present within the park. Pollution is a real challenge for the park. The different types of pollution caused by domestic, artisanal, or industrial discharges destroy trees and pollute the land over an average distance of 200 m around the sources of pollution (Kouadio & Singh 2020).

Banco National Park is highly threatened by the neighboring populations, which exert a high pressure on the fauna and flora of the park. Snares are regularly found and poachers caught, illustrating that poaching is very much present within the park. Pollution is a real challenge for the park. The different types of pollution caused by domestic, artisanal, or industrial discharges destroy trees and pollute the land over an average distance of 200 m around the sources of pollution (Kouadio & Singh 2020).

The park's isolation in the urban area of Abidjan and various types of human activities near the park are the main cause of the pollution observed. In Abobo, to the north and north-east of the park, the various economic activities linked to the sale and repair of automobiles, in particular, the “Abidjan Automobile Casse”, lead to the rejection of a large quantity of abandoned spare parts in the park forest. In addition, engine oils are discharged into polluted water drainage channels which then flow into the park (Kouadio & Singh 2020).

The park's isolation in the urban area of Abidjan and various types of human activities near the park are the main cause of the pollution observed. In Abobo, to the north and north-east of the park, the various economic activities linked to the sale and repair of automobiles, in particular, the “Abidjan Automobile Casse”, lead to the rejection of a large quantity of abandoned spare parts in the park forest. In addition, engine oils are discharged into polluted water drainage channels which then flow into the park (Kouadio & Singh 2020).