Endangered West African leopards show signs of recovery, despite odds. 'It's a win'

Leopard density in Benin's Pendjari National Park increased from 2017 to 2023, reversing a 50% regional decline over two decades that left just 354 individuals across West Africa. The park, managed by African Parks since 2017, demonstrates that targeted conservation works despite armed conflict in the region.

Security threats from non-state armed groups in the Sahel remain a major ongoing risk to the population.