Takamanda Forest Surveys Project This project seeks to study the population (estimated at around 100), distribution and ecology of the gorillas of the Takamanda and Mone Forest Reserves in Cameroon, along the border of eastern Nigeria. Although these are long established reserves, commercial logging activities have placed them within the reach of many more people than previously - roads now reach within three miles of the Reserve boundary. The gorillas living in this area are thought to be a distinct species known as the Cross River Gorillas. Cameroon's national laws prohibit the hunting of gorillas but lack of enforcement and conservation education make it extremely difficult for these laws to be implemented.
The work will focus in particular on the migration pattern between these areas and the adjacent Okwangwo Forest Reserve in Eastern Nigeria. The team will work with local villagers to increase awareness of conservation problems and to secure their support for future conservation efforts. The project is collaborating with an organisation undertaking research on the Nigerian side of the border, and the long term aim is to establish a cross border protected area.
Project Update: March 2001 We have now visited fourteen villages within the Takamanda Forest Reserve and on the outskirts of the Mone Forest Reserve. We have discussed in each village the forthcoming year's surveys and have disseminated the research findings from 1998/99: we have established good relations with the traditional chiefs and councils in these villages.
Several gorilla surveys have so far been undertaken, in both highland and lowland areas. One highland area just a new hundred meters from a village revealed several gorilla nests, thus calling into question the assumption that such areas would not harbour many animals. The area north of Matene was investigated to confirm the presence or absence of gorillas: it seems that this area is hunted by both Cameroon and Nigeria and although the local tradition outlaws the eating of primates, this does not prevent hunters from killing and selling them.
Final Report From September 2000 to October 2001 we surveyed the abundance and distribution of the Cross River gorilla in the Southwest province of Cameroon.The survey confirmed the continued presence of gorillas within the Takamanda forest Reserve and also confirmed their presence in the adjacent Mone Forest Reserve and the Mbulu Forest, close to the Northwest Province boundary,As in a previous survey gorillas were found only to exist within higher altitude, difficult to access areas where hunting pressure was found to be less intensive compared to lowland areas which may be a factor in the gorillas[base '] preference to these less accessible areas.
Results from this survey showed that the distribution of the Cross River gorilla within Cameroon ranges between the Obonyi I hills within the Takamanda Forest Reserve along the international border with Nigeria, eastwards through Mbulu to the boundary of Cameroon[base ']s Northwest Province. The most southerly population located to date is within the Tafu region of the Mone Forest Reserve. However interviews with local people have indicated that their range may be even more widespread and further surveys are recommended in order to clarify their total distribution.
Gorilla density estimates within Takamanda indicated that between 90 to 100 individuals were still surviving within the Takamanda area.
Gorillas are still being hunted outside the Takamanda Forest Reserve but in view of the fact that other conservation projects are now active in the Akwaya region, gorilla conservation is looking more hopeful than five years ago.However the major threat, which is more likely to have a long term negative impact on the gorillas than any other, is the construction of the Mamfe to Akwaya road, which has already cut between Takamanda and Mone and if continued will cut between Takamanda and Mbulu.As the construction of this road continues, it is almost certain that any current gorilla movements with the two areas will cease. Taking into consideration the tenuous future survival that these unique apes already face, further fragmentation of groups will only serve to place these animals under even more threat of extinction than they already are.
Further Project Update: August 2003 Our work on Cross River gorillas is progressing rapidly. For the past year I have been running a long-term ecological study on one group of gorillas as well as expanding our education programme, distribution surveys, etc.
Furthermore are working with the Ministry of Environment and Forests in Cameroon to upgrade all Cross River gorilla habitat to protected area status.
In August 2003 we held the 2nd International Conference and Workshop on the Cross River Gorillas in Cameroon. This forum was attended by both the Minister of Environment Cameroon and the Nigerian Minister thereby obtaining the political will to conserve this unique subspecies on both sides of the border.
