World Heritage Identification Number: 749
World Heritage since: 1996
Category: Natural Heritage
WHE Type: Protected Areas & National Parks
Transboundary Heritage: Yes
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger
Continent: Africa
UNESCO World Region: Africa
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W-Arly-Pendjari Complex: A Transboundary Refuge for West African Wildlife
The W-Arly-Pendjari Complex (WAP Complex) is a significant transnational UNESCO World Heritage Site, spanning across the nations of Benin, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Inscribed in 1996, this expansive conservation area encompasses a vast swath of the Sudano-Sahelian savannah, making it one of the largest and most crucial undisturbed regions within the West African savannah belt.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
This transnational extension (Benin, Burkina Faso) to the W National Park of Niger, inscribed in 1996 on the World Heritage List, cover a major expanse of intact Sudano-Sahelian savannah, with vegetation types including grasslands, shrub lands, wooded savannah and extensive gallery forests. It includes the largest and most important continuum of terrestrial, semi-aquatic and aquatic ecosystems in the West African savannah belt. The property is a refuge for wildlife species that have disappeared elsewhere in West Africa or are highly threatened. It is home to the largest population of elephants in West Africa and most of the large mammals typical of the region, such as the African Manatee, cheetah, lion and leopard. It also harbours the only viable population of lions in the region.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (ix): Stretching across three countries, W-Arly-Pendjari Complex is the largest and most important continuum of terrestrial, semi-aquatic and aquatic ecosystems in the West African savanna belt. Situated within the Volta River basin it comprises a dynamic system, where the ebb and flow of water with alternating wet and dry seasons creates a rich variety of plant communities and associated fauna. The Complex is a major expanse of intact Sudano-Sahelian savanna, with numerous and diverse types of vegetation such as grassland, shrub, wooded savannah, open forests and extensive gallery and riparian forests as well as the rare semi-deciduous forest of Bondjagou within Pendjari National Park. The long-term effects of fire linked to human occupation, perhaps dating back some 50,000 years, have shaped the vegetation of the property, and the continued traditional use of fire maintains the diversity of vegetation types, which in turn provide habitat for the property’s characteristic wildlife.
Criterion (x): The property and the broader landscape are a refuge for species of fauna that have disappeared or are highly threatened in most of the rest of West Africa. The W-Arly-Pendjari Complex is particularly crucial to the conservation of the last healthy populations of mammals belonging to the Sahelian and Sudanian domains. The Complex includes the largest and most ecologically secure elephant population in West Africa, representing 85% of the region's savanna elephants. It also protects almost the complete assemblage of characteristic flora and fauna, providing crucial habitat for most of the large mammal species typical of West Africa, such as African Manatee, Cheetah, Lion, Leopard, African Wild Dog and Topi Antelope. It harbours the only viable population of lion in the area and probably the only population of cheetah in West Africa. The site exhibits particularly high levels of endemism among fish species and is home to seven of the nine endemic fish species reported in the Volta Basin.
Encyclopedia Record: W-Arly-Pendjari Complex
W-Arly-Pendjari Complex, also known as the "WAP Complex", is a transboundary Natural UNESCO World Heritage Site in Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger covering:Arli National Park in Burkina Faso Pendjari National Park in Benin W National Park, shared by the three countriesAdditional Site Details
Area: 1,714,831 hectares
Number of Components: 3
(x) — Contains most important habitats for biodiversity
Coordinates: 11.8841666667 , 2.4877777778
IUCN World Heritage Outlook
The 2025 Conservation Outlook on W-Arly-Pendjari Complex reports the following assessment:
Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) · View assessment
Image
© Roland Hunziker https://www.flickr.com/photos/rolandh/, CC BY-SA 2.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
World Heritage Research
Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of W-Arly-Pendjari Complex from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.
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Clustered Land Restoration Projects Increase Cloud Formation in West African Drylands
Land restoration projects in West African drylands, particularly those with intermediate forest cover (43%) and higher clustering, significantly enhance cloud formation through stronger mesoscale circulation. This discovery challenges the assumption that increased forest cover alone always boosts cloud formation; instead, spatial arrangement plays a critical role. Researchers used the WRF mesoscale atmospheric model to analyze 27 restoration scenarios in the W-Arly-Pendjari Complex, revealing that small-scale heterogeneity or high forest cover (85%) can inhibit cloud formation. These findings provide actionable insights for designing land restoration projects to maximize climate benefits, leveraging their potential to influence regional water and energy balances.
Ruijsch, J., Teuling, A. J., Taylor, C. M., Steeneveld, G. J., & Hutjes, R. W. A. (2026). Clustered Land Restoration Projects Increase Cloud Formation in West African Drylands. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 131(2). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1029/2025jd044393
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Effectiveness of Protected Areas in Limiting Agricultural Encroachment and Conserving Herbivores in West‐Central African Savannahs
Protected areas (PAs) in West and Central African savannahs, particularly those within connected networks like the W-Arly-Pendjari complex, significantly resist agricultural encroachment and support higher herbivore biomass compared to unprotected buffer zones. A study analyzing Landsat imagery (1973–2018) and wildlife census data for four focal species—African buffalo, roan antelope, hartebeest, and savannah elephant—revealed that core PAs largely preserved natural vegetation while surrounding landscapes saw substantial agricultural expansion. However, wildlife population trends did not always correlate with landscape integrity, highlighting the critical role of PA size, governance, and ecological connectivity in conservation outcomes. The research identifies three distinct PA typologies, each requiring tailored strategic approaches to enhance effectiveness beyond legal designation.
Mialhe, F., Piron, A., Le Floch, A., Griffon, S., Scholte, P., Pradel, R., Ze, S. O., Guerbois, C., Pays, O., Church, J. M., Fritz, H., & Renaud, P.-C. (2026). Effectiveness of Protected Areas in Limiting Agricultural Encroachment and Conserving Herbivores in West‐Central African Savannahs. African Journal of Ecology, 64(2). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70162
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Survival in uncertainty: Population dynamics of a key Endangered leopard population in West Africa amid escalating security challenges
A critical leopard population in West Africa, one of the last strongholds for the Endangered species, is showing signs of recovery despite persistent security threats. Camera-trap surveys conducted biennially from 2017 to 2023 in Pendjari National Park within the W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) Complex revealed a rise in leopard density from 0.62 to 2.08 individuals per 100 km², with moderate survival rates and sufficient recruitment to sustain population growth. While nocturnal activity dominates, diurnal behavior has increased over time, suggesting potential adaptation or behavioral shifts. The study attributes this recovery to strengthened park protection measures since 2017, though it highlights alarming trends such as a lack of cub detection and rising illegal incursions, particularly poaching, which pose significant risks. Safeguarding this population requires urgent, integrated strategies including cross-border collaboration, enhanced protection of neighboring parks, community engagement, and equitable resource governance to mitigate escalating security challenges.
Drouilly, M., Woodgate, Z., Horion, R., Ipavec, A., Durant, S. M., Rostro-García, S., Ouindeyama, A., Mann, G., Lapeyre, V., N’Diaye, Y. C., Verkaik, D., Akpona, H., Gaylard, A., & Henschel, P. (2026). Survival in uncertainty: Population dynamics of a key Endangered leopard population in West Africa amid escalating security challenges. Global Ecology and Conservation, 67, e04203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04203
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Spotted! Remote camera traps used in a novel design reveal a perilous situation for the Critically Endangered Northwest African cheetah ( Acinonyx jubatus hecki ) in a conflict‐affected protected area in Benin
A critically endangered subspecies of the Northwest African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus hecki) faces severe population threats within the W-Arly-Pendjari Complex, Benin, due to violent extremism and conflict. Using a novel dual-placement camera trap design over three biennial surveys, researchers estimated a density of 0.26 ± 0.10 individuals per 100 km² across the study area, with zero detections in adjacent hunting zones. Pendjari National Park appears to be a core habitat for this subspecies, but its population is alarmingly small, emphasizing the urgent need for conservation intervention. The study highlights the effectiveness of low-risk fieldwork methods in conflict-affected regions and underscores the necessity of targeted protection and financial support to safeguard this iconic species and its prey.
Drouilly, M., Ipavec, A., Grente, O., Horion, R., Ouindeyama, A., Henschel, P., Lapeyre, V., Chabi N’Diaye, Y., Shams, A., Breitenmoser, C., & Durant, S. M. (2025). Spotted! Remote camera traps used in a novel design reveal a perilous situation for the Critically Endangered Northwest African cheetah ( Acinonyx jubatus hecki ) in a conflict‐affected protected area in Benin. Ecological Solutions and Evidence, 6(2). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/2688-8319.70036
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Grievances, greed or tactics? The political ecology of jihadist expansion in West Africa’s WAP complex
Jihadist expansion in West Africa's W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) complex is primarily driven by tactical military advantages, not environmental grievances or economic motives. Contrary to earlier hypotheses, the study finds that protected forest areas serve as strategic rear bases rather than being leveraged for local resistance or illicit economies like poaching or gold mining. Qualitative evidence from interviews and surveys with stakeholders in Benin, Niger, and Burkina Faso challenges the notion that conservation efforts exacerbate conflict, even in high-risk contexts. The research bridges political ecology and conflict studies, demonstrating that jihadist presence is more about securing operational advantages than exploiting local discontent.
Raineri, L. (2026). Grievances, greed or tactics? The political ecology of jihadist expansion in West Africa’s WAP complex. World Development, 199, 107229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2025.107229
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Understanding the conservation challenges of armed conflicts in protected areas: insights from the W–Arly–Pendjari Complex in Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger
Armed conflicts, particularly those involving violent extremist groups like Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, pose severe threats to conservation efforts in the W-Arly-Pendjari Complex, a critical transboundary World Heritage site spanning Benin, Burkina Faso, and Niger. A study using the participative Delphi technique identified political, economic, and social factors—especially local community marginalization—as key drivers of insecurity. The research highlights that military action and regional cooperation are essential to counter terrorism, while conservation managers should adopt community-focused strategies to reduce vulnerability and counter local alliances with extremist groups. These findings underscore the need for adaptive management approaches to mitigate the negative impacts of violent extremism on protected areas.
Houehounha, D. H. M., Vermeulen, C., Akpona, H., Lhoest, S., Tobada, A. M., Laly, J., & Hugé, J. (2025). Understanding the conservation challenges of armed conflicts in protected areas: insights from the W–Arly–Pendjari Complex in Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger. Oryx, 59(6), 709–719. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0030605325101683
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Illegal wildlife trade: An analysis of carnivore products found in markets in Benin and Niger
A study analyzing illegal wildlife trade (IWT) in Benin and Niger revealed widespread circulation of carnivore products, including multiple lion skins, with a significant portion originating from international trade. While some products likely originated from the W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) Complex—a critical refuge for threatened species—trade patterns were more strongly influenced by proximity to international transport hubs than to the complex itself. This suggests extensive cross-border trafficking, posing severe threats to local populations of carnivores such as African civets, servals, leopards, and hyenas. The findings provide a baseline for monitoring IWT and assessing intervention strategies to combat illegal wildlife trafficking.
Gerstenhaber, C., Ipavec, A., Lapeyre, V., Plowman, C., Chabi-N’Diaye, Y., Tevoedjre, F., Amoussa, C. A., Siddo, O. S., Aboubacar, H. A., & Durant, S. M. (2024). Illegal wildlife trade: An analysis of carnivore products found in markets in Benin and Niger. Global Ecology and Conservation, 51, e02880. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2024.e02880
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