29 Jul 2026
70 park rangers from Guinea and Senegal completed their training course on 29 July 2026. Officials from the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD), alongside their partners, brought the ceremony to a close with a formal presentation of certificates.
The European Union helped to co-fund this course through the NaturaGuinée and PICVERT projects. Rainforest Trust also made a financial contribution through the project to establish the Pinselli-Soyah-Sabouyah National Park.
This event marks a decisive step forward in the conservation of natural resources and strengthens the strategic partnership between Guinea and Senegal. Over the course of a month, the 70 rangers undertook intensive training focused on the protection of sub-regional biodiversity. The topics covered included: law enforcement, crime scene management, patrolling techniques, human rights, self-defence, cross-border trafficking management, and the collection of patrol data. This initiative reflects the growing cooperation between the governing bodies of the national parks in both countries.
The Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development, through its Secretary-General, emphasised to the beneficiaries the importance of integrity, rigour and professionalism in the field. From now on, the two nations are focusing on cooperation in terms of information and expertise to strengthen the protection of their shared natural heritage, according to the Director of Senegal’s National Parks.
This collaborative effort was warmly welcomed by the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (WCF), which supported the process of signing the framework agreement and the memorandum of understanding between Guinea and Senegal. The ceremony concluded with practical demonstrations showcasing the operational skills acquired by the new graduates.
The WCF reaffirms its unwavering commitment to working alongside the Guinean and Senegalese authorities to support the professionalisation of park rangers and wildlife enforcement officers, who are the true guardians of our shared natural heritage.
Our thanks go to the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD), the Guinean Office of National Parks and Wildlife Reserves (OGPNRF), the National Directorate of Forests and Wildlife, the National Brigade for Combating Wildlife and Flora Crime, the Senegalese National Parks Directorate, the Multi-purpose Intervention Brigade, and all the instructors from Guinea and Senegal.