Northern Central African Republic faces imminent wildlife extinction with a 72% decline in large mammals between 1985 and 2005. Elephant populations plummeted 94% due to poaching. National parks failed to protect wildlife, contrasting with the relative success of hunting zones. Key drivers are poaching, illegal cattle herding and governance breakdown. This crisis leads to ecosystem collapse, cultural and economic losses and the destruction of a global heritage site. Urgent intervention is crucial: political commitment, anti-poaching reinvestment, hunting-based conservation restoration and regional collaboration are essential to prevent irreversible losses. A devastating 72% reduction occurred, with significant declines in Buffon kob, hartebeest and others. Parks experienced near-total extirpation, while hunting zones showed relative success due to anti-poaching measures and economic incentives. Organized poaching, illegal livestock and political instability fuel the crisis. The situation demands stabilization, reinvestment in anti-poaching, hunting-based conservation and regional cooperation to avoid losing all wildlife.
