Further Project Update: July 2009
The regional delegate of forestry and wildlife for the North West region of Cameroon carried out some field visits in June 2009 to monitor and assess anti-poaching activities in the TUBAH/BAFUT Administrative unit in Cameroon. This visit took place on the 10th June 2009 from 10 AM with a starting point at BAPESU (Benevolent Association for the Protection of the Environment and the Socially Underprivileged) office at four corners Bambui. BAPESU presented a brief summary of its conservation activities in the Tubah Upland Forest, relating to the protection of the resident chimpanzees. This was followed by a field visit that was guided by BAPESU, to the “uphill” viewpoints of the Upland Forest opposite the IRAD Upper Farms and the one just above the “White House”.
The team from the regional delegation that was led by Colonel Mbomglang Joseph highly commended the work BAPESU had achieved so far and ongoing work with the goal of protecting the endangered great apes (Pan troglodytes) of the Tubah upland forest (Cameroon) through continuous community. BAPESU used this opportunity to talk about the achievements so far and future work plans. At the end of the working day BAPESU was encouraged to continue in pushing efforts towards saving the chimpanzees from disappearance. Under the leadership of Christian Tabifor (Project Coordinator) an appeal was made to the government to strongly intervene with all its efforts in helping to protect the Tubah Upland forest and its endangered species of plants and animals from disappearance. They were made to understand that the funds have dried up and efforts are being made to seek funds to continue the programme to cover the other villages.
The team from the delegation was composed of the following dignitaries: Colonel Mbomglang Joseph (Regional Delegate of Forestry and Wildlife, NW), Mr. Joseph (Chief of Protected Areas NW Region), Lieutenant Colonel Mbah Guy Dekolla (Divisional Delegate, Mezam), Sama Emmanuel (Divisional Chief of Protected Areas), and the Chief of Forestry and Wildlife, Tubah. Other sister NGOs that also were represented at the field visit where MEBONU Foundation, LAAF (Local Aids Advisers), COBEX, Youth Solidarity Association (YSA), and also the Tubah Council Natural Resource Manager of the local council, village animators from Kedjom Keku, Bambui and Kedjom Ketingu, and some volunteers from the Philippines and the director of IRAD Bambui (Cameroon).