Habitat Protection for Cross River Gorillas in Cameroon
Until recently, the critically endangered subspecies of gorilla Gorilla
gorilla diehli, inhabiting the rainforest region across the Cameroon-Nigeria
border, was afforded little habitat protection on the Cameroon side of
the border. Across the border in Nigeria, two of the three main forest
blocks inhabited by Cross River gorillas are already located within protected
areas (Afi Mountain and the Cross River National Park). In Cameroon, however,
all Cross River gorilla subpopulations identified exist in either Forest
Reserves (Takamanda and Mone River Forest Reserves) or non-classified
forests (Mbulu-Njikwa). A further subpopulation is located approximately
40 km east of the Mone River Forest Reserve in the forests of Bechati-Fossimondi-Besali,
which is also categorised as a non-classified area and borders a proposed
timber concession. Without increased protection status, all of these forested
areas could be reassigned in the future for timber exploitation, and the
non-reserve areas will be at risk of destruction from expanding agriculture.
To address the conservation threats to the continued existence of the
Cross River gorilla, a conservation strategy was developed by participants
during a second international Cross River gorilla workshop held in Cameroon
in 2003, organized by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).
The recommendations resulting from this forum were validated by the Ministers
responsible for Environment and Forests of Cameroon and Nigeria (reported
in Gorilla Journal).
Two prominent conservation actions were identified by participants: the
urgent need for increased law enforcement activities and the protection
of Cross River gorilla habitat. Habitat protection actions recommended
for Cameroon stipulated the need to increase the protection status of
the Takamanda Forest Reserve to a similar status to that of the contiguous
forests of the Okwangwo Division, Cross River National Park in Nigeria
and, to develop a land-use plan for the Mone River Forest Reserve and
Mbulu Forest in Cameroon, incorporating a network of protected areas and
corridors.
Proposed Protected Areas
In response to these urgent protection recommendations, two major developments
have been announced by the Government of Cameroon, Ministry of Forestry
and Wildlife (MINFOF). In July 2004, the government stated their intention
to upgrade the status of the Takamanda Forest Reserve, an area covering
67,599 ha, to a National Park. Following this, in January 2005, a government
Public Notice was issued for the creation a gorilla sanctuary in the Kagwene
Mountains (1,880 ha), an area located in the eastern section of the Mbulu
Forest, stretching towards the Bamenda highlands.
Kagwene was first identified as an important area for Cross River gorillas
by WCS researchers in 2001, and since 2002 WCS field teams have been studying
gorilla ecology in this region. As a direct result of the data recorded
over three years, particularly on the gorillas' ranging behaviour, WCS
together with the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife delineated and proposed
this important gorilla site for official protection. The final decree
officially gazetting this area is expected in the near future.
These initiatives represent significant progress towards the overall conservation
goal of actively protecting Cross River gorillas in Cameroon and increasing
their survival prospects in the wild. The area of Takamanda is situated
in the most western range of Cross River gorillas in Cameroon, however,
and Kagwene in the most eastern range.
In 2001, I identified at least three further sites where gorillas existed
in the forest blocks located between Takamanda and Kagwene: these are
in the Mbulu Forest and the Mone River Forest Reserve. In order to maintain
future connectivity between all these groups or subpopulations, it is
imperative that a network of protected areas and corridors is realised
in these areas. WCS is working with the Government of Cameroon and other
collaborators to develop an overall land-use plan for these areas. This
is challenging given that there are a significant number of communities
scattered throughout the area, particularly within the forests of Mbulu.
Proposals to protect sites and corridors must also address human requirements.
Despite these challenges, significant progress is being made towards the
protection of Cross River gorillas and their habitat and we continue to
build on these achievements.
Jacqueline L. Sunderland-Groves
Map: Daniel Slayback
This project is
funded by the Wildlife Conservation Society, United States Fish and Wildlife
Service, WWF-African Great Apes Programme and the Margot Marsh Biodiversity
Foundation.
Jacqueline L. Sunderland-Groves began working with primates in 1991 with Pandrillus in Nigeria. In 1995 she returned to co-ordinate the Pandrillus' Cameroon project, the Limbe Wildlife Centre, focusing on the rehabililtation of orphaned apes. In 1997 she started a gorilla survey in the Takamanda Forest Reserve and since 2000 she has been studying Cross River gorillas in other areas.