The Beninese government decided, during the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, to incorporate 358 rangers into the corps of forest guards. These agents, already active in the country’s national parks, are now officially recognized as specialists in Water, Forests and Hunting, in line with the special status governing their profession.
The measure concerns rangers initially recruited for the surveillance of Pendjari and W National Parks. According to the government, their presence has significantly improved the management of these protected areas, helping to reduce poaching, strengthen security, and support the growth of wildlife populations.
Recognition of achievements and stronger park protection
Their integration falls under Law No. 2020-18 of July 3, 2020, which establishes a special status for Water, Forests and Hunting officials, including provisions for incorporating specialists such as rangers into the corps of forest guards.
Already operational within surveillance and protection brigades, the rangers now benefit from official civil servant status. Their recruitment was validated based on their field experience, with the aim of further stabilizing national parks and consolidating ongoing efforts to preserve biodiversity.