An aircraft involved in a rhino monitoring operation crashed near a village in southern Chad early Wednesday, claiming the lives of both people on board, according to a statement from the country’s Civil Aviation Authority.
The incident occurred around 5:00 a.m. GMT during a surveillance flight over the Zakouma region, an area known for its significant wildlife populations. The aircraft—a Savannah S model—was operated by African Parks Network, a non-profit conservation group that works closely with the Chadian government to protect endangered species and manage national parks.
On board were a South African pilot and an official from Chad’s Ministry of Environment. Both individuals were confirmed dead at the scene. The flight was part of an ongoing initiative to monitor the region’s rhinoceros population, a key component of conservation efforts in Zakouma National Park and its surrounding areas.
In a public statement, the Civil Aviation Authority expressed its condolences: “We regret to confirm that, based on the information received, both occupants tragically lost their lives in the accident.” Authorities also noted that a formal investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances that led to the crash.
The loss is a significant setback for conservation efforts in the region, as both victims were directly involved in environmental protection work. Further details, including the potential cause of the crash and findings from the investigation, are expected to be released in the coming days.