DR Congo: Upemba park rangers honored at the 2026 African Conservation Awards

Rangers at Upemba National Park in Haut-Katanga have won the “Best Ranger Team” prize at the 2026 African Conservation Awards, announced by the Game Rangers Association of Africa. The award recognizes their courage and work monitoring the park and combating poaching; it will be presented at an official ceremony. Park communications officer Antonio Longagi said several attacks this year have killed rangers, while a lack of funding makes fieldwork more difficult. Established in 1939, Upemba is one of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s oldest national parks.