A recent study published in the journal Wild examined the views of park rangers and local residents about the management of Togo's Fazao-Malfakassa National Park, the country's last major protected area. The research, led by scholars from Togo and the United States, included interviews with 42 rangers and 400 people living near the park. The park had been managed by the Swiss Franz Weber Foundation (FWF) until 2015, when the Togolese government took over. Since then, the park has faced significant changes, including the decline of the Hotel Fazao, a former tourist hotspot that now lies in ruins, with its buildings looted and repurposed. Park rangers, aged 25 to 55 and with varying experience, generally viewed the previous private management as "good" or "very good," but most rated the current government-led management as "bad" or "very bad." They reported increased issues such as poaching, illegal burning, and unauthorized cattle grazing since the management change. Nearly a third of the rangers expressed fear of retaliation from those they arrested, and many noted that the former FWF rangers were more respected than their current state counterparts. Similarly, residents—mostly farmers and caregivers—also favored the earlier private management, rating it highly and criticizing the current state-run approach. Fazao-Malfakassa National Park is a vital sanctuary for several endangered species, including the African forest elephant, ursine colobus monkeys, and rare birds like the Martial Eagle and Bateleur. However, the park is at high risk due to its location surrounded by human activity. Poaching and other illegal activities have caused significant habitat loss, with most of these activities linked to non-local individuals involved in organized crime, such as the illegal charcoal trade. Both rangers and residents suggested ways to improve the park's management, including stricter enforcement of laws, hiring more rangers, and investing in local infrastructure. Rangers specifically emphasized the need for better equipment, such as motorcycles, uniforms, firearms, and fuel, as well as higher salaries, which are currently below the poverty line. Many also expressed a strong desire to revive ecotourism, which once brought significant income before the park was closed in 2015. Most rangers and a large number of residents recommended returning to private management, either through government collaboration or independently, citing successful examples in nearby countries like Benin, Cameroon, Chad, and the Central African Republic. The study highlights the urgent need for Togo's leaders to take decisive action to address the park's challenges and ensure its preservation for future generations. The findings underscore the importance of balancing conservation efforts with the needs and perspectives of local communities and rangers who are directly involved in protecting the park's unique biodiversity.