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Forgotten Parks Foundation

Restoring the Ecological Heart of Africa

Restoring Upemba National Park, the ecological heart of Africa, to rebuild the natural systems that sustain water, wildlife and climate.

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1.3M Hectares
+1.8k Species
240 Rangers
100 Civil Personnel

Upemba — A Park Returning to Life

For decades, Upemba National Park was a forgotten landscape — isolated by conflict, emptied of wildlife, and left without management. Today, a dedicated team of rangers, scientists and local communities is rebuilding it from the ground up.

This film documents the early stages of that recovery — the people behind it, the ecosystems at stake, and what it means to restore one of Africa's most important ecological landscapes.

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Restoring ecosystems,
water systems and wildlife

Across Upemba National Park — one of the most biodiverse and neglected landscapes in Central Africa.

Ecosystem Conservation
Ecosystem

Ecosystem Conservation

Protecting and restoring the landscapes and water systems that sustain Upemba — a critical ecological zone at the source of the Congo Basin.

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Wildlife Restoration
Wildlife

Wildlife Restoration

Rebuilding functional wildlife populations to restore natural ecological balance. Wildlife restoration is the ecological engine of the Upemba recovery.

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Community Development
Community

Community Development

Working with local communities to support sustainable livelihoods and long-term conservation. More than two million people live around Upemba.

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Upemba National Park

A critical water and climate system at the source of the Congo Basin, where ecosystem restoration drives biodiversity and long-term ecological stability.

Working Together

Working with conservation, scientific and funding partners to restore Upemba's ecological systems.

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Stories & Updates

Field reports, restoration progress and stories from the people working to restore Upemba.

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Rangers

Upemba Welcomes 62 New Rangers to Strengthen Conservation Efforts

A landmark ceremony at Lusinga headquarters celebrated the graduation of 62 new rangers ready to protect Upemba.

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Wetlands

From Upemba to the World: Wetlands, the Congo Basin, and the Lufira Ramsar Site

Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth, quietly sustaining life far beyond their shores.

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Wildlife Research

Upemba National Park Strengthens Wildlife Research with New Acoustic Monitoring Equipment

A major step forward in wildlife research and conservation with new acoustic monitoring tools.

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Bringing Wildlife Back to Upemba

Wildlife is the ecological engine of Upemba. Without large grazers, grasslands accumulate, fires intensify and water systems degrade. Restoring animal populations is not symbolic — it is the mechanism through which the entire landscape recovers.

Through phased rewilding, species such as zebra, buffalo and antelope are being reintroduced into recovery zones under veterinary oversight and scientific monitoring.

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Restoration progress, wildlife stories and insights from Upemba National Park — delivered to your inbox.

A Woman Leading Upemba

Christine "Tina" Lain leads the restoration of Upemba National Park, one of the few female directors managing a large-scale ecosystem recovery programme in Central Africa.

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Christine Lain