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Our Ambitions

Species Protection & Wildlife Management

Reinforced Management Plans for Key Species.

Effective conservation demands more than just protecting land—it requires tailored, species-specific strategies that are responsive to both ecological realities and shifting environmental pressures. The development and reinforcement of formal management plans for key species—particularly those under stress or of global conservation significance—is hence the cornerstone of Sango’s approach. These plans align with national and regional conservation frameworks and reflect Sango’s commitment to science-based, adaptive wildlife management. Here’s an overview of the key species management plans currently being developed :

Rhino Management Plan (RMP)

Despite decades of effort, rhinos—especially black rhinos—remain critically endangered across Africa, with poaching and habitat loss still threatening their survival. One of their last strongholds is the Savé Valley Conservancy, where Sango accounts for nearly a quarter of the landscape and over 50% of the rhinos. Building on existing successes and the daily work of its Rhino Monitoring and Protection Unit (RMPU), Sango together with the SVC and ATS is formalising a dedicated Rhino Management Plan to ensure the long-term viability of both black and white rhino populations under its protection. [See Rhino protection and management section]

Elephant Management Plan (EMP)

Thanks to decades of successful conservation, elephant populations in most parts of Southern Africa—including at Sango Wildlife Conservancy—have rebounded to the point where they now exceed the ecological carrying capacity of certain areas. While this recovery is a major conservation success, it also presents new challenges: localised habitat degradation, increased competition for resources, and a higher risk of human-elephant conflict. In response, Sango is developing a comprehensive Elephant Management Plan to proactively mitigate these impacts. The plan includes targeted strategies such as habitat restoration, non-lethal population control, and further translocations—building on the landmark relocations of 201elephants in 2018 and 2022. Looking ahead, Sango is searching for priority landscapes across Southern Africa that could benefit from elephant reintroductions, contributing to broader regional recovery efforts.

Key Performance Indicator (KPI):

7+ focal species groups

under formal or in-progress management plans: rhino, elephant, lion, leopard, spotted and brown hyenas, wilddog, pangolin, vitellariopsis, shrimp, vulture, etc.

This Project contributes to

Carnivore Management Plan

Sango holds an abundance of Africa’s large carnivores with the exceptions of cheetahs. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, and African wild dogs—are some of the continent’s most iconic species, but in some parts of Africa they face increasing threats from habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and prey depletion. African wild dogs are classified as Endangered globally, while lions are listed as Vulnerable. In response, Sango’s successful on-the-ground measures are converted into developing a comprehensive Carnivore Management Plan to better understand the populations on-site, including age structure, sex ratios, pride dynamics, and spatial use, to tailor management strategies accordingly. This plan is based on robust data collection through annual spoor surveys (in collaboration with the African Wildlife Conservation Fund), camera-trap monitoring (via Panthera), and the African Carnivore Wildbook (ACW) system. By aligning with national action plans and the Savé Valley Conservancy lion management guidelines, Sango is actively contributing to the protection and future of these apex predators across the landscape.

Vulture Strategy

Vultures are endangered birds, threatened by poisoning and habitat loss. As part of the Savé Valley Conservancy—officially recognised as a Vulture Safe Zone—Sango is intensifying efforts to protect these essential scavengers. A dedicated strategy is being developed to integrate vultures into broader conservation plans, ensuring they continue to fulfil their vital role in the Savé Valley landscape. As keystone species, vultures are crucial for ecosystem health, recycling nutrients, limiting the spread of disease, and maintaining ecological balance.

Species of Special Concern

Beyond the iconic megafauna, Sango also serves as a sanctuary for lesser-known yet highly vulnerable species often overlooked in broader conservation efforts. These include cheetahs, which face significant threats from habitat fragmentation; pangolins, which are heavily targeted by poachers; the newly discovered freshwater shrimp, named after Sango – Streptocephalus sangoensis; and rare plants like Vitellariopsis. Management strategies for these species must be developed, not only for their conservation value on a global scale but also to explore their potential role in supporting sustainable tourism and local community engagement.

These plans will be continuously refined, updated, and integrated into Sango’s overarching Environmental Management Plan. By focusing on species-specific management within a broader ecosystem framework, Sango ensures that conservation efforts address the needs of individual species while preserving the intricate, interconnected systems that sustain biodiversity across the landscape.

discover more:

Creation of « high-protection» area (Intensive Care Unit)

Expanding the Natural Resources Protection Unit for Greater Impact

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