Counter-poaching efforts in Africa now face their biggest challenges in a decade. Widespread instability in Central Africa and West Africa, which host the most protected wildlife, make encounters between park rangers and armed groups more common and deadly. More than 100 counter-poachers were killed in Africa in the last three years. Only five perished outside the line of duty. 

Non-state actors that exploit the protected forests for revenue or safe havens remain the main threat to conservationist activism, even as widespread corruption drives supply chain attrition and eats into the morale of park rangers throughout the continent. Underfunding of the billion-dollar-yearly needs of counter-poaching programs on the continent adds to the mounting challenges which face counter-poaching, especially in Southern Africa.

Key Judgement 1. Region-wide instability is highly likely to undermine counter-poaching efforts in West Africa and Central Africa; logistics will almost certainly be the first facet affected.

Key Judgement 2. In Southern Africa and Central Africa, corruption almost certainly will curtail the effectiveness of counter-poaching efforts.

Key Judgement 3. Funding is also very likely to challenge counter-poaching efforts in Africa in the next five years, possibly beyond.