CAMEROON

Strengthening Protection for Cameroon’s Cross River Gorillas

Project Cost: $790,965

Funding Raised: $790,965

$22.73 per acre (1 acre = 43,560 sq ft)

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On Africa’s west coast lies the nation of Cameroon, whose unparalleled natural beauty and biodiversity make it one of the most biologically rich countries on the continent. Sometimes called ‘Africa in miniature,’ Cameroon boasts a diverse array of coastal, mountain, rainforest and savanna habitats that shelter a vast assortment of wildlife, many of which are endangered and found nowhere else.

The Lebialem Highlands in the southwest of the country are incredibly biodiverse, even by Cameroon standards. These forests are home to the Critically Endangered Cross River Gorilla, the Endangered Nigeria-Cameroon Chimpanzee, and a host of threatened and endemic chameleons, birds, amphibians and plants. However, the rapidly increasing human population poses serious threats to these lush highland forests.

In an urgent response to these threats, Rainforest Trust is working with a local partner, Environment and Rural Development Foundation (ERuDeF), to create a new protected area in the Lebialem Highlands: the Bangwa Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary. This reserve will protect 34,794 acres of montane forest vital for the region’s endangered wildlife. With the support of the local and national government, traditional authorities and surrounding communities, the creation of this reserve will add to an immense network of protected areas spanning over 1.5 million acres throughout the region. Rainforest Trust is also supporting the creation of a management plan for Tofala Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, which includes community consultations and hiring eco-guards.

Fast Facts

Location
Cameroon

Size
34,794 acres

Key Species (Based on IUCN Red List)
Cross River Gorilla (CR), Nigeria-Cameroon Chimpanzee (EN), Drill (EN), Goliath Frog (EN), Bannerman’s Turaco (EN), Forest Elephant (VU), Gray-necked Rockfowl (VU)

Habitat
Mid-elevation montane rainforest

Threats
Loss and fragmentation of habitat, poaching

Action
Create Mak-Betchou Wildlife Sanctuary

Local Partner
The Environment and Rural Development Foundation (ERuDeF)

Total Cost of Project
$790,965

Cost Per Acre
$22.73

Biodiversity

The Lebialem Highlands rank amongst the five most biologically diverse conservation regions in Central Africa, both in terms of the numbers of globally threatened species as well as endemic species.

Importantly, these forests are a conservation priority due to their endangered primate populations. The Drill, an Endangered baboon-like monkey found only in Cameroon and Nigeria, depends on the Lebialem Highlands’ forests for its survival, as well as two of the most threatened great apes in Africa: the Critically Endangered Cross River Gorilla and Endangered Nigeria-Cameroon Chimpanzee. Restricted to the Southern Nigeria-Cameroon border, the Cross River Gorilla is Africa’s most threatened great ape with less than 300 individuals left in the wild. Found roughly in the same area, the Nigerian-Cameroon Chimpanzee is the most endangered of the world’s four subspecies of chimpanzee. In addition to primates, the Vulnerable Forest Elephant and a great variety of birdlife call this area home. Considered one of the most important bird areas in Cameroon, hundreds of species have been documented throughout the area, including the Bannerman’s Turaco and Gray-necked Rockfowl. Rare reptiles and amphibians also abound in these forests, including the Endangered Goliath Frog that weighs over seven pounds; these aptly named amphibians are the largest frogs on Earth. Additionally, the region is a center for an enormous variety of West African flora, some of which is found nowhere else.

Challenges

The main threats to wildlife in the Lebialem Highlands are caused by forest conversion to farmland and habitat fragmentation that could lead to the local extinction of the many globally threatened species that are found there.

As in other parts of Africa, poaching of elephants and other wildlife together with marginalised local economies pose serious challenges to conservation. Forest Elephants and primates are critical for ecosystems to function, serving as essential “forest gardeners” that disperse seeds over long ranges through their fruit-based diets. Without them, rainforest trees are unable to regenerate or maintain diversity.

Communities

The local communities involved in this project include four principal ethnic groups, namely the Bangwas, Mbos, Mundanis and the Mocks.

Mostly farmers, hunters and gatherers, these groups collectively make up a population of over 45,000 people from 22 villages.

Solutions

Rainforest Trust is working with a local partner, Environment and Rural Development Foundation (ERuDeF), to create the Bangwa Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary in the Lebialem Highlands. This new reserve will protect 34,794 acres of much-needed habitat for several highly endangered primates in addition to a wealth of other rare Central African species.

Following administrative meetings at the village, regional and national levels, the new reserve will be demarcated and declared. Once established, an official management plan for the new wildlife sanctuary will be developed by partner ERuDeF in collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife, thereby finalizing the creation and management strategy of the new protected area. With local support and backing by the national and international community, the creation of the Bangwa Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary will form an important centerpiece in an immense protected area complex spanning over 1.5 million acres. Rainforest Trust is also supporting the creation of a management plan for Tofala Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, which includes community consultations and hiring eco-guards.