Prince Harry's African Parks conservation project is facing new allegations after reports a pregnant woman was "trampled on" and then lost her unborn baby.
The Duke of Sussex was previously president of the non-governmental organization, before being promoted to its board in 2023.
Baka tribespeople in the Republic of Congo say African Parks rangers have raped and tortured them, leading to the organization launching an investigation. The scandal became public in 2024, but was raised with Harry by campaign group Survival International before that point.
The new allegations have since come to light over an incident that took place after African Parks called in Omnia Strategy, a law firm established by Cherie Blair, the wife of former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, to conduct the probe.
Survival International, which campaigns for indigenous people, said it was told by Baka tribespeople that a group of women had been promised a meeting with management about the destruction of crops by elephants.
Paul Renaut, who works on the organization's conservation campaign, told Newsweek: "The members of the community had an appointment with a high-level African Parks manager and the person wasn't there so the women started to complain.
"The eco guards refused to let them stay and forced them to leave by whipping them and beating them, which led to a woman being actually trampled on and losing her baby."
African Parks said in a statement to Newsweek: "Odzala ecoguards reported the alleged incident in May 2024. African Parks immediately shared this information with Omnia.
"As a result, it is subject to their ongoing independent investigation. African Parks has committed to respond to Omnia's findings at the conclusion of their investigation which we now expect in early 2025."
"This shows the violence is still ongoing even though it's turned into an international scandal," Renaut said. "Even as that investigation is ongoing, an event like this led to violence.
"Yet African Parks is trying to present things as improving and talking about a zero-tolerance approach.
"Omnia confirmed they were aware of the incident and this would be a part of the investigation."
The original allegations that sparked the investigation included an account of a ranger leading a woman into the rainforest and raping her as she held her baby.
Ella Ene was quoted by The Mail on Sunday in January 2024, describing how the ranger said, "I'll shoot you" as he led her away from her home. She added: "I was holding my baby while being raped and trying to protect him. My first reaction had been to protect my baby. It was very violent."
A man interviewed by the newspaper described being cuffed, whipped with a belt and having his head forced underwater.
In January, African Parks said in a statement: "African Parks has a zero-tolerance policy for any form of abuse and is committed to upholding the rights of local and indigenous people.
"Allegations of misconduct are thoroughly investigated and acted on, and all of our parks are managed with a central philosophy of awareness, sensitivity and commitment to upholding the rights of local people.
"We are aware of the serious allegations regarding human rights abuses by eco-guards against local people living adjacent to Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of Congo, which have recently received media attention.
"We became aware of these allegations last year via a board member who received a letter from Survival International."
Jack Royston is Newsweek's chief royal correspondent based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
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