the world. The large size and ecological complexity of this rainforest has allowed species and communities to evolve relatively undisturbed. As a result, the national park protects a highly biodiverse and unique ecosystem. Of 735 identified plant species in the southwestern part of the park, 85% rely on animals to disperse their seeds, a process called zoochory. Many large mammals are found within the park at relatively high densities, including Bongo antelopes, black-crested mangabeys, leopards, and bonobos. The southern region has been the location for studies of bonobos in the wild. There are much higher populations of bonobos near the Iyaelima settlements than elsewhere in the park, apparently because the Iyaelima do not harm them and are playing a strong role in their conservation. Despite hunting pressure, a viable population of forest elephants survive in the park. Other mammals in the park include the Dryas monkey, Thollon's red colobus, long-tailed pangolin, giant pangolin, tree pangolin, Angolan slender mongoose, aquatic genet, hippopotamus, the African golden cat, bushpig, yellow-backed duiker, sitatunga, okapi, bushbuck, water chevrotain and forest buffalo. There are many bird species present within the park, including the cattle egret, black stork and yellow-billed stork. The Congo peafowl, a threatened bird species endemic to the Congo Basin and the national bird of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, lives in both the primary and secondary forests within the park. 56 fish species have been identified in the park, including the catfishes Clarias buthupogon and Synodontis nigriventris. African slender-snouted crocodiles are also found within the park. References Sources INCEF - Conservation and Health in Salonga Wildlife Conservation Society UNESCO Salonga National Park Site WCMC Site Data Sheet National parks of the Democratic Republic of the Congo World Heritage Sites in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Protected areas established in 1970 World Heritage Sites in Danger 1970 establishments in Africa