50%In somedecline areas, ape populations have declined by more than 50% over the last twenty years.20 years

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

HopeImplementation of the recommendations in this plan will make a significant difference to the survival of great apes in this region. Survival The two subspecies of great ape in western equatorial Africa: the central chimpanzee Pan troglodytes troglodytes and the western lowland gorilla Gorilla gorilla gorilla

The central chimpanzee The western lowland gorilla (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) [LEFT] Adult female; [RIGHT] adult male Stephen D. Nash

The world’s leading experts agree that the investment and actions described in this plan constitute the best strategy for preserving wild chimpanzees and gorilla populations in western equatorial Africa.

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

(Pan troglodytes troglodytes and Gorilla gorilla gorilla)

Compiled and edited by Caroline Tutin1, Emma Stokes2, Christophe Boesch3, David Morgan4, Crickette Sanz5, Trish Reed6, Allard Blom7, Peter Walsh8, Stephen Blake9, Rebecca Kormos10

1 Centre International de Recherches Médicale de Franceville [[email protected]] 2 Research Coordinator, Nouabale-Ndoki Project, Wildlife Conservation Society – Congo [[email protected]] 3 President, Wild Chimpanzee Foundation and Max Planck Institute [[email protected]] 4 University of Cambridge/Wildlife Conservation Society [[email protected]] 5 Max Planck Institute/Wildlife Conservation Society [[email protected]] 6 Wildlife Conservation Society – Field Vet Program [[email protected]] 7 Senior Program Offi cer, Endangered Species Program, World Wildlife Fund [[email protected]] 8 Guest Researcher, Max Planck Institute [[email protected]] 9 Coordinator, Elephant Program, Wildlife Conservation Society [[email protected]] 10 Research Fellow, Vice-Chair, Great Apes, IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group, Center for Applied Biodiversity Science, Conservation International [[email protected]] © Nick Nichols, NGS A young male chimpanzee in the Goualougo Triangle, Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, Republic of Congo. These chimpanzees were found to exhibit naïve behavior when Abstract fi rst observed by researchers, suggesting that they have had This action plan represents a consensus of the that habitat loss and disturbance will become as limited contact with humans. world’s leading experts on the priority areas serious a threat as hunting and disease. Experts and priority actions needed for preserving wild agreed upon a list of 12 priority areas (seven chimpanzee and gorilla populations in western exceptional areas and fi ve important areas), as equatorial Africa. The results were generated at a well as two areas that are priorities for surveys. workshop held in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo These areas sum to a total of over 150,000 km2. in May 2005 with over 70 participants represent- Experts also identifi ed knowledge gaps includ- ing range-state governments, national and inter- ing improved census methods and information national conservation organizations, research accessibility, large-scale survey and monitor- institutions and funding agencies. Workshop ing efforts, and further research on Ebola. The participants agreed that by far the most seri- experts recommended actions that could improve ous short-term threats to apes in this region are the conservation outlook of these apes, and esti- © Nick Nichols, NGS poaching and disease epidemics. In the longer mated the cost at about $29,275,000 over the An adult male gorilla, showing silvering of the back and the red term, however, workshop participants believed next fi ve years. crest that is characteristic of western lowland gorillas.

1

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

In particular, successful protection of great apes Introduction requires a more concerted and collaborative effort to establish region-wide priorities, and to identify partners and donors with which to imple- ment and monitor regional strategies.

human settlements. However, despite the fact that managers, government offi cials and representatives of western equatorial Africa has one of the lowest human national and international non-governmental organi- population densities of any tropical forest area in the zations. This group produced this action plan, and a world, ape populations in this region are, today, in strategy for its long-term implementation. This action dramatic decline. This is largely because of increased plan identifi es priorities for these great apes and their commercial hunting, the spread of logging, which alters populations, indicating the measures required and the forest structure and facilitates poaching, and because of means to address them. We hope that this document Ebola haemorrhagic fever. Awareness of this crisis, com- will provide a clear investment plan for researchers, bined with the recognition that the extinction of our conservationists, and donors and, most importantly, closest living relatives would be an inestimable loss, has will assist habitat country governments in developing © Jeffry Oonk & Marleen Azink, Foto Natura Sunrise over Mbeli Bai, a natural swampy forest clearing that is driven the creation of major international initiatives, strategies for the conservation of great apes. frequented by western lowland gorillas. The Mbeli Bai is in the such as the Section on Great Apes of the IUCN/SSC Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, Republic of Congo. Primate Specialist Group and the Great Ape Survival Project (GRASP). In addition, there are many site- 1 A second subspecies of chimpanzee (Pan t. vellerosus) as well as the based, national and international projects that work Critically Endangered Cross River gorilla (Gorilla g. diehli) exist in west- ern Cameroon. Both Pan t. vellerosus and Gorilla g. diehli also occur in to conserve great apes in this region and around the Nigeria. These subspecies require independent assessment for conserva- HE WESTERN EQUATORIAL AFRICAN RAINFOREST is world. The continuing, rapid decline of great apes in tion as conditions vary from those in the rest of western equatorial Africa home to two subspecies of great ape: the central western equatorial Africa indicates that past efforts are and they will therefore not be covered in this plan. T 2 It is also possible that small populations of P. t. troglodytes and G. g. chimpanzee Pan troglodytes troglodytes and the western not suffi cient, and that more is needed. gorilla remain in the south-west of the Democratic Republic of Congo lowland gorilla Gorilla gorilla gorilla1. These two sub- In particular, successful protection of great apes but this requires confi rmation. species are sympatric over most of their range, which requires a more concerted and collaborative effort to extends throughout much of lowland forested habitats establish region-wide priorities, and to identify partners in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon, Equa- and donors with which to implement and monitor torial Guinea and the Republic of Congo, with outlier regional strategies. The following plan details such a populations in Cabinda (Angola) (Figure 1, following strategy for protecting chimpanzees and gorillas in the page). In this plan we call this region western equatorial western equatorial region of Africa. It is the result of Africa.2 This unique phenomenon — nowhere else do a workshop held in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, two ape subspecies share almost identical ranges — on May 17–20th 2005, where key players in great ape allows unifi ed conservation planning for the two. conservation developed a unifi ed strategy for the con- Surveys in the 1980s indicated that healthy popula- servation of these two species of great ape. The expert tions of both species existed in many areas remote from group included biologists, veterinarians, protected areas

2

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

Figure 1. The range of chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes troglodytes, and gorillas, Gorilla gorilla gorilla, in western equatorial Africa. Map by Stephen Blake, WCS.

3

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

Western Equatorial Africa in Context

N 2002, AN EXPERT WORKSHOP HELD in Abidjan, Table 1. Opportunities and obstacles for effective conservation of great apes in western equatorial Africa. Côte d’Ivoire, resulted in a Regional Action Plan I Opportunities Obstacles for the Conservation of Chimpanzees in West Africa (Kormos and Boesch, 2002) presenting consensus The major threats — poaching, habitat destruction and Large areas of potential ape habitat remain compared to more Ebola — will be diffi cult to reduce and even well-managed on an optimal conservation strategy for chimpanzees densely populated regions such as west Africa and southeast protected areas offer no protection from the spread of in that region. The situation in western equatorial Asia. Africa differs in many important ways, so although the diseases. New approaches therefore must be developed. same methodology was followed by holding an expert Large areas of previously remote forest are being, or soon will workshop in Brazzaville, the particular context of the Large protected areas exist, (most of them national parks) be, selectively logged. Without fi rm control actions poaching western equatorial Africa region provides the backdrop many of which have been created in recent years and have will continue to increase as human population increases and for the conservation strategy outlined in this report. ongoing conservation projects. new roads allow access and transport possibilities. The specifi cities of the region, that provide windows of opportunity for effective conservation of apes on the one hand, present, on the other hand, some major Political will for conservation and for regional cooperation obstacles (see Table 1). in the environmental arena is strong, (e.g., creation of 13 National management, law enforcement, research and national parks in Gabon in 2002; 2nd Summit of Central African monitoring capacity are generally weak, and building capacity Heads of State on Conservation and Sustainable Development through training and mentoring will take time. (COMIFAC), Brazzaville, February 2005). © Jeffry Oonk & Marleen Azink, Foto Natura Two male chimpanzees pant-hoot at researchers in the Goualougo Triangle. The central chimpanzee is the least known of all the subspecies. Pioneering research investigating the behavioral and social impacts of commercial logging on chimpanzee populations is currently being conducted at this site.

4

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

How Priority Areas Were Identifi ed

HE BRAZZAVILLE WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS Tused the best available data and their long years Box 1. Criteria for selection of priority areas for of experience to identify the priority areas in western ape conservation in western equatorial Africa equatorial Africa based on a set of standard criteria (Box 1). The fi rst criterion in choosing priority areas 1. Population size, scored on a 5-point scale: 5 > 4,000 apes for ape conservation was population size given the cen- 4 > 2,000 tral insight of conservation biology: that large popula- 3 > 1,000 tions tend to have higher long-term viability than small 2 > 500 populations. Because of methodological limitations 1 > 250 which preclude precise quantifi cation of population 2. Area of site: size and make it impossible to distinguish reliably 5 > 16,000 km2 2 between indirect signs (nests, feeding trail and feces) 4 > 8,000 km 3 > 4,000 km2 left by gorillas from those left by chimpanzees (see Box 2 > 2,000 km2 2 on following page for further information), a 5-point 2 1 > 1,000 km © Jeffry Oonk & Marleen Azink, Foto Natura scale of size estimates was used for combined ape popu- A female gorilla peers at a researcher. 3. Importance for conservation and sustainable forest Western lowland gorillas spend a lations. The second criterion was the size of habitat management attributed at the 2000 Libreville biodi- considerable amount of time in trees blocks. The third criterion was the rank attributed versity vision workshop: eating ripe fruits and leaves. at the 2000 Libreville biodiversity vision workshop3 4 Highest importance which indicates the importance of each site in terms 3 High 2 Medium of biodiversity in general, thus providing a measure of 1 Low the importance of the area for the conservation of taxa other than great apes. Furthermore, most of the prior- In addition, a post hoc assessment of the quality of data available for the estimate of ape population size at each site ity areas identifi ed at the 2000 Libreville biodiversity was assessed on a 5-point scale based on the time elapsed vision workshop are now benefi ting from some conser- since the data were collected and the methodology: vation activities, thus increasing the feasibility of great 1 – Unsubstantiated (presence/absence or surveys under- ape conservation in these areas as well. taken before 2000); 2 – Low Quality (Recce surveys after 2000, or Single transect survey after 2000, with <50 km Area identifi cation began with the assessment of survey effort); 3 – Minimal Quality (Single transect survey discrete management units (protected areas, logging after 2000 with >50 km effort in a specifi c area, or Multiple transect surveys after 2000 with <50 km effort in different areas); 4 – Good Quality (Multiple transect surveys after 2000 with >50 km effort in different areas); 5 – Best Quality 3 In 2000 a WWF-sponsored workshop in Libreville, involving more (Multiple transect surveys after 2000 with >50 km effort in © Bethan Morgan than 150 national and international specialists, defi ned the priority different areas and nest decay rate available for the area The mountains of the Ebo Forest, Cameroon. A small targets for conservation and laid out the vision for biodiversity conser- and density estimate reported with 95% confi dence limits). population of gorillas with unknown taxonomic affi liation vation and sustainable development in central Africa. was discovered there in 2002.

5

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

concessions, and community forests) in each country for their potential for ape conservation. Subsequently, Box 2. Why we are not estimating the number of chimpanzees and gorillas in this action plan units with shared boundaries were grouped appropri- ately within and between countries to produce a list of The natural starting point for a conservation strategy is to assess how many gorillas and chimpanzees remain, in order to identify the location of populations that will be viable over the long term if necessary actions are carried out to reduce regional areas. Priority areas were then ranked accord- threats. Unfortunately, for two major reasons it is impossible to estimate the total numbers of gorillas and chimpanzees ing to the following two classifi cations: remaining in western equatorial Africa. They are: I. Exceptional Areas: All areas with the largest Methodological Problems: Existing survey/census methods lack precision and fi eld sampling has often been fl awed making ape populations (Score 5) as well as areas with large extrapolation to the large areas of potential habitat extremely risky. In addition, recent large-scale surveys carried out by the populations (Score 4) combined with a large size Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) project4 have not been able to distinguish reliably between indirect sign left (Score 4) and the greatest importance for biodiversity by gorillas from those left by chimpanzees, and thus provide only estimates of ape numbers, i.e., summed density of gorillas conservation (Score 4). and chimpanzees. II. Important Areas: All other areas with large Nature of Threats: Ebola can cause dramatic declines in gorilla and chimpanzee populations in a very short time, and present populations (Score 4) as well as areas with medium monitoring systems preclude consistent identifi cation of the passage of epidemic disease in most remaining blocks of ape populations (Score 3), which are also large (Score 3 habitat. Thus, survey data can be considered as reliable only when relatively recent and in areas where some monitoring occurs as part of ongoing conservation projects. The present inability of conservation managers to assess population size or more) and important for biodiversity conservation of gorillas and chimpanzees and monitor trends over time with reasonable accuracy is a severe handicap, which requires (Score 3 or more). urgent attention if efforts to protect these species are to succeed. Without reliable indicators to track the effectiveness Additional areas were identifi ed as requiring urgent of implementation of the strategy it will be diffi cult to maintain the necessary levels of support, and the ability for adaptive surveys if existing data do not allow for estimates of management, that are essential to conservation. However, the dangers of providing estimates of numbers of surviving apes population size. that are seriously fl awed, either because of methodological problems or because they are out of date, are also clear. It was decided at the workshop therefore, to apply the principal of precaution and use proxy values for best-estimates of minimum III. Priority Areas for Surveys: Areas that are population size. believed to be very important for ape conservation, but for which no population estimate exists, making 4 The overall goal of MIKE is to provide information needed for elephant range states to make appropriate management and enforcement decisions, and to build surveys an urgent priority. They can then be ranked institutional capacity within the range states for the long-term management of their elephant populations. appropriately, based on these surveys. © David Greer Getting western lowland gorillas used to the presence of researchers at the Mondika Research Center on the CAR/Congo border. Dense forest habitat and the gorillas’

© Fiona Maisels/WCS large home ranges have hampered efforts to habituate Gabonese fi eld researchers look for and observe them in the wild, and only recently have new ape nests during an ape population data been made available on aspects of their behavior and survey. ecology.

6

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

Areas” in Africa.) These areas total over 150,000 km2 of priority habitat for the protection of chimpanzees and Priority Areas and Area-Specifi c Priority Actions for gorillas in western equatorial Africa. This confi rms that Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa great apes are extremely important fl agship species for conservation. Protection of priority areas for great apes also results in added protection for other species within XPERTS AGREED ON A LIST OF 12 PRIORITY areas region, and priorities for biodiversity in general, Figure 3 these habitats. E (seven exceptional areas and fi ve important areas) (page 9) shows the great ape priority areas overlaid onto Pages 10–26 provide a more detailed description of as well as two areas that are priorities for surveys. the CARPE Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) each site, including major threats, and indicating spe- These priority areas are listed in Table 2 (below) and landscapes. There is high overlap between priority areas cifi c activities that are needed, which partners have the are mapped in Figure 2 (page 8). In order to show the for great apes and priority areas for biodiversity in gen- capacity to implement these activities, and an estimate overlap between priority areas for great apes in this eral. (See Fishpool and Evans 2001 for “Important Bird of how much each activity will cost.

Table 2. Priority areas for the conservation of chimpanzees and gorillas in western equatorial Africa as determined by consensus at the 2005 workshop in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.

Score for Size of area Score for size Rank for Quality of Country estimated 2 importance of population population size (km ) of area site for other taxa estimate Exceptional Priority Areas Odzala/Lossi/Pikounda/Ngombe/Ntokou complex Republic of Congo 5 41 900 5 4 4 Lac Tele/Likouala complex Republic of Congo 5 29 545 5 4 3 Sangha Trinational complex Cameroon/CAR/Republic of Congo 5 27 908 5 4 5 Loango/Moukalaba-Doudou/Gamba complex Gabon 5 13 062 4 4 4 Dja Conservation complex Cameroon 5 6 238 3 3 4 Boumba-Bek/Nki complex Cameroon 5 6 110 3 4 3 Lopé/Waka complex Gabon 4 10 129 4 4 3 Important Priority Areas Ivindo complex Gabon 4 6 527 3 3 2 Rio Campo/Campo Ma’an complex Equatorial Guinea/Cameroon 4 5 843 3 4 5 Belinga-Djoua Gabon 4 3 453 2 4 1

Mengamé Cameroon 4 1 219 1 4 3 Conkouati/Mayumba complex Gabon/Republic of Congo 3 7 066 3 3 3 Priority Survey Areas Ebo/Ndokbou conservation complex Cameroon 3 2 677 2 2 1 Maiombe Forest Transboundary Initiative Angola/DRC/Republic of Congo 2 8 000 3 2 1

7

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

More than 70 workshop participants agreed to clas- sify seven sites as Exceptional Priority Areas. Pro- Exceptional Priority Areas tecting these sites is critical to the survival of chim- panzees and gorillas in western equatorial Africa.

Odzala/Lossi/Pikounda/ HIS COMPLEX INCLUDES THE Odzala-Koukoua three years, this region has experienced at least three Ngombe/Ntokou complex, TNational Park, the proposed Lossi Sanctuary outbreaks of Ebola, the most recent of which is cur- extension and a series of adjacent logging concessions, rently threatening great ape populations within the Republic of Congo extending on their eastern side to the Sangha River, Odzala-Koukoua National Park. Urgent attention which delimits this vast landscape from the Sangha- needs to be focused on the epidemiology of this and Major threats to great apes: Trinational Complex. The Odzala-Koukoua National future outbreaks and their likely impact on great ape Ebola Park covers approximately 13,500 km² and is one of populations, complemented by targeted research into the most important strongholds for elephant and gorilla potential control measures. Substantial ape populations Commercial hunting conservation in Central Africa and one of the most likely still remain in the peripheral Ngombe, Ntokou Commercial logging spectacular wilderness areas in the world. The area and Pikounda forests. These forests are currently incorporates mixed and Marantaceae forest types and dominated by logging concessions, however, and thus an abundance of forest clearings supporting exceptional Ebola-orientated activities need to be accompanied by densities of a number of charismatic large mammals, effective law enforcement and strategic zoning plans in including western gorillas. Unfortunately, over the past order to protect remaining populations from poaching.

Action Needed Potential Partners Timeframe Funding Needed

WCS-FVP, ECOFAC, Univ. • Establish a rapid response structure and systematic epidemi- Barcelona, CIRMF, RKI, o logical surveillance system for Ebola, both before, after and 1 year $150,000 5 NIH, UAB, LNSP, MSPP, during epidemics. MEFE, WCS, Univ. Rennes

ECOFAC, WCS, Univ. • Implement biomonitoring of ape populations in zones both Barcelona, Univ. Rennes, 5 years $500,000 6 affected and unaffected by Ebola, in order to evaluate impact. MEFE

• Increase capacity in biological sampling techniques and WCS-FVP, ECOFAC, WCS, 2 years $50,000 biomonitoring through targeted training programs. MEFE

• Establish early-warning system and community awareness ECOFAC, WCS-FVP, MSPP, 5 years $200,000 campaign for Ebola in local community. MEFE

• Implement effective protection for remaining ape populations ECOFAC, MEFE, WCS, 3 years $5,000,000 7

© Thomas Breuer, WCS © Thomas Breuer, through anti-poaching patrols. IFO, CIB Forest elephants, Loxondonta africana cyclotis, are one of the many large and endangered Note: See page 33 for the full names of organizations listed as acronyms. mammals that share their habitat with western lowland gorillas and central chimpanzees. 5 Start-up funding of $45,000 already provided to Odzala National Park by USFWS Great Ape Conservation Fund 6 Activity partly funded in Odzala National Park until 2006 by ECOFAC/EC “Espéces Phares” ($32,000) and WCS/CBFP ($20,000) 7 Activity partly funded until 2006 in Odzala National Park and Ngombe by CBFP and CAWHFI

10

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

Exceptional Priority Areas, continued

Lac Tele/Likouala complex, EARLY ONE-QUARTER OF THE LAND AREA of the has been found to be ecologically very important for Republic of Congo NCongo Basin is composed of fl ooded swamp for- great apes, and supports large populations of western est, a habitat type rarely targeted for conservation. The gorillas in particular. Furthermore, swamp forests that Lac Tele Community Reserve extends over approxi- are intact, ecologically functioning, and supporting a Major threats to great apes: mately 4,500 km² of the Likouala swamps in northern variety of endemic and wetland dependent species are Subsistence and commercial hunting Congo. It consists primarily of swamp forest with unlikely to be logged. The relative inaccessibility of inclusions of riparian forest and mixed-species low- swamp forests limits resource extraction and may also land forest on terra fi rma islands and savanna patches. constitute a barrier to the spread of disease, includ- The Lac Tele Community Reserve is one of only two ing Ebola. The Lac Tele Community Reserve and its central African protected areas that seek to conserve surroundings therefore provide an unusual safe haven swamp forest habitat (and the only area within the for both plant and animal species that are threatened range of the apes under consideration). Swamp forest elsewhere.

Action Needed Potential Partners Timeframe Funding Needed

• Support government agents and local communities in promoting and implementing great ape protection efforts in and around the WCS, MEFE, CFC 3 years $450,000 8 Lac Tele Community Reserve.

• Conduct baseline ape surveys in the Likouala and Baille swamps to the southeast and west of Lac Tele Community Reserve to WCS, MEFE, CFC 1 year $50,000 9

© Nick Nichols, NGS assess great ape populations. A western lowland gorilla wading through a swamp. Recent surveys conducted in the Lac Tele • Standardize protocols for training and implementation of WCS, MEFE 5 years $100,000 10 Community Reserve found that swamp forest biomonitoring program for great ape populations. supports particularly high densities of gorillas. • Establish systematic surveillance systems for the emergence of WCS, MEFE, WCS-FVP, 1 year $25,000 zoonotic diseases in great ape populations. CIRMF, RKI, MSPP, LNSP

8 Activity partly funded in the Lac Tele Community Reserve until 2006 by CBFP 9 Activity partly funded in the Baille swamps by USFWS Great Ape Conservation Fund 10 Activity partly funded in the Lac Tele Community Reserve until 2006 by CBFP

11

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

Exceptional Priority Areas, continued

Sangha Trinational complex, HE SANGHA TRINATIONAL COMPLEX IS over bongo Tragelaphus euryceros. The remaining landscape Republic of Congo, Cameroon T25,000 km² of contiguous lowland tropical rain- is dominated by forestry concessions, which have seen forest that is of critical biological signifi cance. Biodi- the rapid expansion of commercial timber exploita- and Central African Republic versity is partially protected in three national parks: tion across the region over the last two decades. In the Lobéké National Park in Cameroon, Dzanga- the Republic of Congo, sustainable wildlife manage- Major threats to great apes: Ndoki National Park in Central African Republic and ment programs are currently being carried out in Commercial hunting the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park in the Republic 1.8 million ha of production forest — and potential Commercial logging of Congo, that together support one of the most pris- ape habitat — surrounding the Nouabalé-Ndoki tine blocks of protected forest in Central Africa. It is National Park. The Sangha Trinational is not only a Artisanal mining home to one of the largest remaining populations of regionally and globally important area for wildlife, gorillas and chimpanzees on the continent, and also it holds great potential for assessing and enhancing harbors signifi cant populations of other endangered the effectiveness of transboundary and collaborative large mammal species including forest elephants and approaches to conservation.

Action Needed Potential Partners Timeframe Funding Needed CIRMF, MSPP, NIH, RKI, • Develop an epidemiological surveillance system and rapid UAB, WCS, WCS-FVP, WWF, response structure for the emergence of zoonotic diseases, 1 year $150,000 11 MINSANTE, LNSP, MINFOF, specifi cally Ebola. MINEPN, CPC MINEEFCP, MEFE, MINFOF, • Improve judicial and law enforcement structures in protected MINEPN, WCS, WWF, areas and timber concessions, including capacity building, Timber companies (e.g., 3 years $4,350,000 12

© David Wilkie, WCS monitoring systems, and promotion of wildlife protection laws in CIB, Delcolvenare, STBK, Processed timber ready for export out of northern logging concessions. Grumcam, SEBAC, etc.) Congo and into European markets. • Standardize protocols for training and implementation of WCS, WWF, MEFE, MINFOF, 5 years $375,000 13 biomonitoring programs for great ape populations. MINEPN, MINEEFCP GTZ, WCS, WWF, MINTOUR, • Develop and promote national and transboundary structures MEFE, MINFOF, MINEPN, for great ape ecotourism in the Nouabalé-Ndoki, Dzanga and 3 years $250,000 14 MINEEFCP, private tour Lobéké National Parks. operators

11 Start-up funding of $45,000 already provided to the TNS by USFWS Great Ape Conservation Fund, and $10,000 available for veterinary salaries from WWF 12 Activity partly funded until 2006 by CBFP and CAWHFI 13 Activity partly funded until 2006 by WWF, WCS, CBFP and USFWS Elephant Conservation Fund (for biomonitoring programs for elephant and ape population) 14 $10,000 WWF funds available for Central African Republic/Cameroon Sector

12

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

Exceptional Priority Areas, continued

Loango/Moukalaba-Doudou/ HIS LARGE AREA COVERS 12,230 KM2 of the south has the highest recorded density of gorillas in Gabon. Gamba complex, Gabon Twest of Gabon and includes two national parks; Research on apes, including habituation of groups is Loango (1,550 km2) and Moukalaba-Doudou (4,496 underway at several areas. The direct environmental km2). The variety of landscapes — forests, savannas, impacts of oil extraction have been minimized but mangroves, lagoons and beaches — create the astound- diminishing oil production and subsequent unem- Major threats to great apes: ing natural beauty of the area and make it a prime area ployment present a threat of increased poaching. Eco- Commercial hunting for ecotourism with several initiatives underway already. tourism has been identifi ed as a tool for sustainable Oil exploitation Elephants, hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius, development, and the potential for gorilla viewing is Subsistence hunting buffalo Syncerus caffer and gorillas can be seen on the under investigation. It is of vital importance to main- beaches, and crocodiles in the lagoons. Gorillas and tain and reinforce the protection of the large ape popu- chimpanzees occur throughout the site and Mt. Doudou lations that remain at this site.

Action Needed Potential Partners Timeframe Funding Needed

• Reinforce anti-poaching measures throughout the site especially DFC, WCS, WWF, CNPN 2 years $1,200,000 15 on logging concessions in the buffer zones.

• Introduce measures to minimize risks of disease transmission and establish health-monitoring systems for apes, rules for all WCS-FVP, WWF, CNPN, 3 years $450,000 16 people using the site, education for villagers and tourists, and DFC, MPI-EVA

© Nick Nichols, NGS analysis of ape fecal samples. Ba’aka hunter-gatherers practicing traditional • Develop and promote responsible great ape tourism within the CNPN, SCD, MPI-EVA, subsistence techniques have existed in parts of 5 years $200,000 17 western equatorial Africa for centuries. broader ecotourism strategy for this site. SCS, PSVAP, WWF, WCS

• Strengthen research capacity to respond to threats to apes, SI, University of Kyoto, integrate research into site management, provide support in MPI-EVA, WCS, WWF, 5 years $250,000 18 training, data collection and analysis, and applied protocols. CNPN, CMP

WCS, WWF, DFC, • Maintain ape biomonitoring program, including training in University of Kyoto, MPI- 1 year $100,000 19 monitoring methods for research personnel. EVA, CNPN, CMP

15 Partial funding through CAWFHI and WWF core funding with $200,000 available for 2006

16 Partial funding through CARPE ($50,000 for 2006) and SCD for education campaigns

17 Partial funding through CARPE with $15,000 for 2006

18 Partial funding through CARPE, WWF core funding and CMP with $10,000 available for 2006 19 Partial funding through CARPE ($50,000)

13

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

Exceptional Priority Areas, continued

Dja Conservation complex, HE DJA CONSERVATION COMPLEX CONSISTS of subsistence and commercial trade in this area. A range Cameroon Tthe Dja Biosphere Reserve (5,260 km²) and the of participatory approaches to conservation have been surrounding mosaic of logging concessions, commu- set up in and around the Dja Biosphere Reserve, focus- nity forests, agro-forestry zones, and even a mining ing on community forestry, civil society capacity build- Major threats to great apes: concession. The area, both protected and unprotected, ing and on the sustainable use of natural resources, Commercial hunting is home to signifi cant populations of chimpanzees, including commercial forestry. In 2003, a management Commercial logging gorillas, forest elephants Loxodonta africana cyclotis plan for the Dja Biosphere Reserve was agreed upon Habitat fragmentation 20 and leopards Panthera pardus, and high densities of which focuses on the involvement of local stakeholders indicator species such as mangabeys, colobus and yel- and which aims to build upon and synergize past and low-backed duikers. Hunting pressure is high, both for present conservation activities.

Action Needed 21 Potential Partners Timeframe Funding Needed

• Establish and maintain basic management infrastructure in the FFI, MINFOF, ECOFAC 5 years $625,000 Dja Conservation complex.

• Recruitment, training and functioning of 50 extra ecoguards for MINFOF, ECOFAC 5 years $725,000 law enforcement activities.

© Kent Redford, WCS • Reactivate and maintain permanent great ape research areas MINFOF, ECOFAC, PGS/ 5 years $240,000 A logging road stretches alongside a small camp throughout the area. IRAD, Nature+ constructed for logging employees. Commercial logging is a major indirect threat to great ape MINFOF, ECOFAC, populations because it provides access to remote PGS/IRAD, Nature+, intact forests, and the means for taking bushmeat • Establish great ape monitoring and survey program across complex. Logging and mining co. 5 years $200,000 to distant markets. (R. Pallisco, Fip. cam, Geovic), Bristol Zoo/CIAD

• Establish a disease surveillance program and rapid response MINFOF, PRESIDA, Johns structure specifi cally for great apes (with focus on Ebola and Hopkins Institute, PGS, 5 years $275,000 Anthrax). Nature+

MINFOF, PMDA, Bristol • Establish community-based biodiversity enterprises to support Zoo/CIAD/FFI, PGS/IRAD, 5 years $250,000 ape habituation and community-based ecotourism. Nature+

20 Habitat fragmentation is the creation of barriers to the movement of apes and to gene fl ow, which divides populations into smaller units increasing the vulnerability to extinction usually linked to construction of roads and railways. 21 Partial funding (30%) already secured from European Union and WWF-Nature+

14

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

Exceptional Priority Areas, continued

Boumba-Bek/Nki complex, ITH OVER 8,000 KM² IN TOTAL, the proposed erable threat to ape populations and other wildlife as Cameroon Wnational parks of Boumba-Bek and Nki con- a result of commercial hunting and human encroach- stitute the largest contiguous block of protected for- ment. In spite of the delay in its offi cial legal status, the est in Cameroon. The area is characterised by intact zone has already profi ted from a considerable participa- Major threats to great apes: lowland rainforest harboring signifi cant populations of tory management presence and infrastructure through Commercial hunting large mammals, including forest elephants, gorillas and the support of a prior GEF project grant. Current Commercial logging chimpanzees. Its relative isolation from traditional pop- schemes are now seeking to solidify the management Illegal traffi cking of military weapons ulation settlements has thus far ensured a certain degree presence of the newly classifi ed national parks, and to of protection for its wildlife populations. However, the develop community-based activities in the buffer zone zone is currently surrounded by commercial forestry of the two protected areas. The area forms part of the concessions. The presence of mineral exploitation and vast TRIDOM landscape, which will assist in catalysing a national road to its northern periphery pose a consid- cross-border protection efforts in particular.

Action Needed Potential Partners Timeframe Funding Needed

• Finalize legal status of both National Parks. MINFOF, WWF 1 year $10,000 22

• Establish and implement effective law enforcement program, MINFOF, WWF, ECOFAC, including recruitment and training of 100 ecoguards and annual 5 years $1,700,000 23 MEFE transboundary patrols with Odzala National Park.

24

© David Greer, WWF © David Greer, • Maintain annual ape biomonitoring program. MINFOF, WWF 5 years $450,000 Illegal arms confi scated from poachers by ecoguard • Establish a disease-monitoring program specifi cally for great patrols. Commercial hunting is the greatest threat MINFOF, WWF 5 years $375,000 to great apes throughout their range in western apes given geographical proximity of recent Ebola outbreaks. equatorial Africa. • Establish collaborative framework with all stakeholders in support of great ape conservation, while developing management MINFOF, WWF 5 years $100,000 25 plan.

22 Activity partially funded by CAWHFI ($1,500) 23 Activity partially funded by CAWHFI ($25,000) 24 Activity partially funded by CBFP and WWF ($30,000) 25 Activity partially funded by WWF ($30,000)

15

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

Exceptional Priority Areas, continued

Lopé/Waka complex, Gabon HIS SITE COVERS ALMOST 12,000 KM2 includ- Park make it a prime site for the development of eco- Ting the Lopé and Waka National Parks and tourism as, in addition to large mammals and a diverse a proposed corridor between them where selective avifauna, there are abundant archeological sites dating Major threats to great apes: logging will occur. The habitat is mostly lowland back 400,000 years. A long history of multi-disciplin- Commercial hunting tropical forest, with Marantaceae Forest around the ary research and strong links to national research insti- Commercial logging savanna/gallery forest mosaic in the northern part of tutions makes this an excellent site for innovation in Disease Lopé National Park. The site includes mountainous applied research, training and capacity building. Popu- areas and the diverse fl ora bears witness to a dynamic lations of great apes appear to have declined in the past history of climate-induced shifts in vegetation. The two decades but the site holds great potential if it can dramatic and varied landscapes combined with relative be effectively protected from commercial hunting. ease of access to the northern parts of Lopé National

Action Needed Potential Partners Timeframe Funding Needed

• Extend existing programs of health education and ape health WCS-FVP, CIRMF, ZSL, monitoring to minimize risks of disease transmission between 5 years $250,000 26 DFC, ECOFAC, CNPN humans and apes.

• Support research & training programs and improve capacity for adaptive management, through focused research protocols and WCS, CIRMF, ZSL, USTM, 5 years $250,000 27 systems to evaluate the effectiveness of management for the ENEF, CNPN, ECOFAC © Fiona Maisels, WCS protection of apes. A Gabonese researcher practises using a compass in the Lopé savannas. Training • Standardize and refi ne protocols for training and implementation WCS, CIRMF, DFC, national researchers in fi eld techniques is 5 years $150,000 of monitoring programs for great ape populations. ECOFAC, CNPN, ZSL essential in developing capacity for monitoring ape populations. • Improve judicial and law enforcement capacity in protected areas and logging concessions, including mobile anti-poaching CNPN, DFC, WCS, 3 years $ 160,000 28 brigade, specialized training for local authorities, gendarmes and ECOFAC, USFWS magistrates.

• Develop and promote responsible great ape tourism, of already ZSL, CNPN, ECOFAC and habituated gorilla groups and within the broader ecotourism 5 years $ 500,000 29 private operators strategy for this site.

26 Partial funding from CARPE ($50,000), potential funding from EU (ECOFAC Phase IV) 27 Existing work funded by TOTAL-Gabon & CARPE ($50,000), potential funding from EU (ECOFAC Phase IV) 28 Partial funding from USFWS & CARPE ($60,000), potential funding from EU (ECOFAC Phase IV) 29 Partial funding of $300,000 from EU (PSVAP, Espèces Phares), FFEM and ZSL

16

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

Workshop participants agreed to classify the Important Priority Areas following fi ve sites as Important Priority Areas.

Ivindo complex, Gabon HIS NATIONAL PARK CREATED IN 2002, covers With a long tradition of research in tropical ecology, the T an area of just over 3,000 km2 along the Ivindo recently renovated IRET fi eld station close to Makokou, river in north-east Gabon, and the additional area of in the extreme north of the Park, is an ideal base for Major threats to great apes: this priority site for ape conservation consists of com- continued documentation and monitoring of the fauna Commercial hunting mercial logging concessions surrounding the Park. and fl ora of lowland tropical rainforests. Populations of Commercial logging The waterfalls on the Ivindo river, south-west of the great apes may have declined in the past decade and sur- town of Makokou are among the most spectacular in veys are urgently needed, but the site holds enormous Africa and, with the opportunities of viewing gorillas potential for great ape conservation if it can be effec- and elephants at Langoué Bai in the heart of the Park, tively protected from commercial hunting. this site holds potential for adventurous ecotourism.

Action Needed Potential Partners Timeframe Funding Needed

• Extend existing programs of health education and ape health WCS-FVP, CIRMF, DFC, monitoring to minimize risks of disease transmission between 5 years $250,000 30 CNPN humans and apes.

• Develop and promote responsible great ape ecotourism at Langoué Bai from viewing platforms, and other appropriate areas CNPN, WCS, FIGET, 3 years $500,000 31 within the broad ecotourism strategy for Gabon’s National Park private sector network.

• Develop on-site research capacity on great ape ecology, IRET/CENAREST, CIFOR, behavior and health, through support to the IRET research 5 years $250,000 32 WCS-FVP, CIRMF, PSVAP station.

• Sustain partnerships with logging companies in the buffer zone WCS, WWF, FRM, CNPN, to reinforce the protection of apes and increase capacity to 5 years $1,050,000 33 Rougier monitor population trends.

© Fiona Maisels, WCS • Maintain ape biomonitoring program, including training in WCS, IRET/CIFOR, DFC, 5 years $175,000 34 Training Gabonese researchers in survey monitoring methods for research personnel. CNPN, PSVAP techniques. The vast areas of potential ape habitat in western equatorial Africa, combined with the diffi culty of observing apes in the wild, 30 Partial funding of $50,000 from WCS means that surveys typically use indices of ape 31 Partial funding of $50,000 from WCS, CARPE presence — such as nest counts — to estimate 32 Partial funding from CARPE, WCS, EU (PSVAP)

their numbers. 33 Partial funding from CARPE and WWF

34 Partial funding of $75,000 from WCS, CARPE

17

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

Important Priority Areas, continued

Rio Campo/Campo Ma’an HIS TRANSBOUNDARY COMPLEX, including the fer zones. The Campo Ma’an National Park has been complex, Cameroon, TRio Campo Reserve (335 km²) in Equatorial the focus of international attention due to its selection Equatorial Guinea Guinea and the adjacent Campo Ma’an National Park as a compensation site for the Chad-Cameroon Pipe- (2,640 km²) in Cameroon, is situated in the Atlantic line construction. At present, the Park is surrounded by Coastal Forest zone and contains a remarkable biodi- agro-forestry zones and logging concessions. Of princi- Major threats to great apes: versity, including a signifi cant population of gorillas, pal concern is the project for a hydroelectric dam on its Commercial hunting chimpanzees and mandrills, and a rich fl oral diversity periphery. In spite of the existence of a minimal man- Habitat destruction due to development projects including several endemic species. The Campo area agement presence inside the national park, protection was also the site of extensive ecological research on efforts and collaborative reduced-impact projects with gorillas in the late 1970s /early 1980s. In spite of a developers are urgently needed. Establishing a trans- comprehensive protected area system in Equatorial boundary initiative between the two countries may Guinea, there is currently little management capacity provide a promising conduit for channeling support for or resources allocated to protected areas and their buf- conservation activities.

Action Needed 35 Potential Partners Timeframe Funding Needed FEDEC, WWF, MINFOF, Projet Hydroélectrique • Implement law enforcement and disease surveillance program, de Memvélé, PNDP, 5 years $750,000 including recruitment and training of 50 ecoguards. Opérateurs Economiques, INDEFOR • Establish and maintain basic management infrastructure in Rio © Jeffry Oonk & Marleen Azink, Foto Natura INDEFOR 3 years $450,000 A female gorilla hand-claps in response to Campo. observers. The function of this behavior is • Establish framework for collaboration between the governments not fully understood, but may be a method of of Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon with emphasis on INDEFOR, MINFOF 1 year $10,000 communicating to others in the group. transboundary conservation action initiative. FEDEC, WWF, MINFOF, • Establish and maintain a biomonitoring program for great apes. 5 years $250,000 INDEFOR • Explore ecotourism potential — conduct a feasibility study with FEDEC, WWF, MINFOF, 1 year $70,000 great ape viewing options. INDEFOR FEDEC, WWF, MINFOF, INDEFOR, Projet • Develop and sustain platform for collaboration between Hydroélectrique de 5 years $50,000 stakeholders about logging issues. Memvélé, PNDP, Opérateurs Economiques

35 Activities partially funded (30%) by FEDEC, Offi eld Family Foundation, PNDP, WWF and UICN for Cameroon sector only.

18

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

Important Priority Areas, continued

Belinga-Djoua, Gabon HIS SITE IN NORTH-EAST GABON IS IMPORTANT tions in this area is not well understood but human Tfor ape conservation but threats will increase epidemics have occurred in nearby villages and are very signifi cantly in the near future as iron reserves at known to have originated from handling infected Major threats to great apes: Belinga are mined and a railway built to export the ape carcasses. Preliminary surveys have shown that Mineral exploitation ore to Libreville. It is crucial to act now to minimize apes remain, and documenting their distribution Ebola negative impacts of this major development project and density in this site will add to understanding of Commercial hunting on apes in particular and the environment in general. Ebola epidemics. As part of the vast TRIDOM trans- The fl ora and fauna of the site are relatively well doc- boundary protected area complex being developed umented due to research conducted since the 1960s by Gabon, Cameroon and Congo, this site requires (CNRS, IRET, CIRMF). Gorillas and chimpanzees urgent attention through surveys, protection and were relatively common in the 1980s, but, as the site evaluation of legal status. The inevitable increase in has no legal status, poaching has become an increas- human settlement must be carefully planned to avoid ing problem. The impact of Ebola on ape popula- fragmentation of the habitat block.

Action Needed Potential Partners Timeframe Funding Needed

• Surveys of ape distribution and density throughout the site, WWF, DFC, IRET, WCS, 2 years $100,000 36 including training in monitoring methods for research personnel. CNPN

• Measures to prevent fragmentation of ape habitat block, by Assemblé prevention of new human settlements and deforestation along the Departementale de 1 year $50,000 37 Zadie-Belinga road. l’Ivindo, DFC, CNPN, WWF

• Raising awareness of the need for ape conservation among local DFC, CNPN, WWF 1 year $75,000 38 actors and organizations with anti-poaching missions.

• Creation of a great ape sanctuary within the TRIDOM landscape, CNPN, DFC, WWF 1 year $40,000 39 based on survey results.

• Applied epidemiological research on Ebola, collection of fecal samples and autopsies of cadavers to assess impact of past CIRMF, WCS-FVP, GRAET 2 years $100,000 Ebola epidemics and current health status of ape populations. © Nick Nichols, NGS Gold mining in Gabon. Commercial and artisanal mining (i.e., non-industrialized and 36 Receives partial funding of $20,000 through CARPE/WWF small-scale) for gold, iron and other minerals 37 Receives partial funding of $10,000 through CARPE/WWF create direct and indirect threats to great apes 38 Receives partial funding of $10,000 through CARPE/WWF due to habitat destruction and an increase in 39 Receives partial funding of $10,000 through CARPE/WWF commercial hunting through the development of access routes, and local human population growth.

19

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

Important Priority Areas, continued

Mengamé, Cameroon HE PROPOSED MENGAMÉ GORILLA SANCTUARY remaining populations. Furthermore, commercial log- Tlies on the southern Cameroon-Gabon border ging enterprises to the north of the Sanctuary threaten and extends over an approximate area of 1,200 km². to encroach further and increase human access and Major threats to great apes: To the north, the sanctuary is surrounded by multiple- commercial hunting. These problems are further com- Commercial hunting use forests, including commercial forestry concessions, pounded by the lack of legal status and defi ned limits Subsistence hunting and partially protected forested reserves. Recent sur- of the proposed protected area. An effective protection Habitat destruction due to agriculture veys suggest the presence of signifi cant populations of presence and community-based sensitization programs great apes; gorillas in particular. However, pressures are therefore urgently needed. The proposed sanctu- from local communities on the periphery of the Sanc- ary forms an integral part of the TRIDOM landscape tuary, including habitat fragmentation, due to sub- and therefore has considerable potential to profi t from sistence agriculture, and hunting, now threaten these existing and future cross-border protection activities.

Action Needed 40 Potential Partners Timeframe Funding Needed

• Formalize legal status of gorilla sanctuary. MINFOF, WWF 1 year $10,000

• Establish and implement effective law enforcement and community sensitization program, including recruitment and MINFOF, WWF 5 years $580,000 training of 30 ecoguards and initiation of cross-border protection activities.

© David Greer & Chloe Cippoletta, WWF • Develop and sustain great ape–human confl ict mitigation A silverback gorilla feeds on herbaceous MINFOF, WWF 5 year $250,000 strategy. vegetation, an important dietary component, particularly during times when ripe fruits are • Implement disease-monitoring program (given geographical MINFOF, WWF 5 years $375,000 scarce. proximity to past Ebola outbreaks).

• Maintain ape biomonitoring program and reinforce survey MINFOF, WWF 5 years $125,000 database.

• Develop community mobilization strategy in support of great ape MINFOF, WWF 1 year $100,000 conservation.

40 Partial funding available from ITTO

20

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

Important Priority Areas, continued

Conkouati/Mayumba complex, HE CONKOUATI/MAYUMBA COMPLEX includes Douli National Park terrestrial zone extends over Republic of Congo, Gabon Tthe Conkouati-Douli National Park and a con- 3,500 km² and contains signifi cant populations of siderable transboundary buffer zone that extends forest elephant, western lowland gorillas and chim- across the Republic of Congo and Gabon towards panzees. Unusually high densities of chimpanzees are Major threats to great apes the Mayumba National Park (predominately marine found in Conkouati, as they are strongly protected Commercial hunting with a 60 km² protected terrestrial zone). It offers a by local tradition. The swampy and mountainous ter- Commercial logging unique ecological series that begins in the Atlantic rain of the transboundary forests peripheral to the Artisanal mining Ocean marine coastal waters, passes eastward through Mayumba and Conkouati-Douli National Parks offers forested lowlands and mountains, and descends to the some natural protection from commercial logging inland savanna plain. The Conkouati-Douli National activities. However, the lack of hunting controls and Park covers 5,045 km2, and has the highest habitat and law enforcement in these buffer zones, coupled with species diversity of any protected area in the Congo. considerable demand for bushmeat from urban mar- Together with the Mayumba National Park, these kets in Congo, present a serious threat both inside and beaches probably have the largest nesting population outside the two protected areas, and urgent cross-bor- of leatherback turtles in the world. The Conkouati- der protection efforts are needed.

Action Needed Potential Partners Timeframe Funding Needed

• Develop capacity and structures for an effective law enforcement and judiciary process in the Conkouati-Douli National Park and WCS, MEFE, MEFEPE 3 years $900,000 41 surrounding buffer zones, including training of park guards and transboundary protection efforts and policies.

• Construct a great ape research and training station within the

© Nick Nichols, NGS Conkouati-Douli National Park, to conduct effective and timely WCS, MEFE 1 year $75,000 The transport of game in logging vehicles is one biomonitoring and provide effective deterrent to poaching. of the important factors contributing to the rapid • Conduct baseline surveys of ape populations and other large growth of the commercial bushmeat trade. WCS, MEFEPE, MEFE, mammals in Conkouati-Douli National Park, and Mayumba National 1 year $50,000 HELP-Congo Park buffer zone.

WCS, MEFE, WCS-FVP, • Establish systematic surveillance systems for the emergence of CIRMF, RKI, MSPP, 1 year $25,000 zoonotic diseases. LNSP, HELP-Congo

• Implement conservation education awareness and outreach WCS, MEFE 5 years $100,000 programs in local communities, with specifi c emphasis on great apes.

41 Activity partly funded for CDNP until 2006 by CBFP

21

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

Workshop participants agreed to classify the following two sites as Priority Survey Areas. Priority Survey Areas

Ebo/Ndokbou conservation HE EBO/NDOKBOU FOREST IS ONE OF the largest present, and urgent steps need to be taken to survey Tintact forests remaining in Cameroon. Stretch- and protect what is likely to be a very small population. complex, Cameroon ing over 2,500 km2 and ranging in elevation from The Ebo forest has been proposed by the Government below 100 to well over 1000 m, it consists of a series of Cameroon as a national park but gazettement is not Major threats to great apes: of steep valleys with rocky outcrops. It has a unique yet complete. The Ndokbou forest is currently a large- primate fauna with ten diurnal primate species includ- scale logging concession. Protecting this area’s habitat Commercial hunting ing a signifi cant chimpanzee Pan troglodytes vellerosus will not only ensure the survival of many endangered Commercial logging and road development population and perhaps the largest population of drills primate, mammal and plant species, but also contribute Mandrillus leucophaeus remaining anywhere. A popula- to the protection of biodiversity in this important area tion of gorillas of uncertain taxonomic affi nity is also of the Cameroon Coastal forests.

Action Needed Potential Partners Timeframe Funding Needed

• Formalize protected area recognition and legal status for the WWF Coastal Forests Ebo forest, which is currently proposed as a national park by the 2 years $30,000 Program Government of Cameroon.

WWF Coastal Forests • Conduct thorough surveys of ape populations in (1) the Ebo Program (1 and 2), 1) 3 years 1) $120,000 forest 42 and (2) the Ndokbou concession, followed by long-term Zoological Society of San 2) 3 years monitoring. 2) $120,000 © Kent Redford, WCS Diego (1) A logging road opens up previously inaccessible • Implement effective law enforcement and disease surveillance forest blocks and facilitates the transport of WWF Coastal Forests bushmeat from remote forested areas to urban systems, including infrastructure, recruitment and training of 5 years $830,000 Program markets. 30 ecoguards.

• Carry out a public education and awareness program to build WWF Coastal Forests 3 years $140,000 support for great ape conservation at local and national levels. Program

42 Initial survey work in the Ebo forest has been funded by the Zoological Society of San Diego’s Center for Conservation and Research in Endangered Species, the USFWS Great Ape Conservation Fund and the Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundation

22

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

Priority Survey Areas, continued

Maiombe Forest HE MAIOMBE FOREST FORMS THE SOUTH-WEST unresolved, political and economic instability, local Transboundary Initiative, Tmargin of the Congo Basin’s tropical rainforest reports suggest that signifi cant ape populations, and the geographical limits of several forest-dwelling particularly chimpanzees, may remain. Community- Republic of Congo, species, including central chimpanzees and western based conservation measures have been seeking to Democratic Republic of Congo gorillas. A transfrontier initiative for the conservation build support for a 2,000 km² zone of the Maiombe of the Maiombe Forest focuses on its southern sector, Forest in Cabinda, Angola. Information on ape status Major threats to great apes: between DRC, Angola, and Republic of Congo. This in the Maiombe Forest is scarce, and much-needed Commercial and subsistence hunting zone incorporates the Dimoneka and Luki Biosphere survey efforts have been hampered by civil unrest. Ape Illegal mining and logging Reserves in Republic of Congo and DRC, respectively. surveys in this transfrontier region would also confi rm In spite of little or no protection efforts in these the presence and status of western gorillas in DRC and Armed confl ict reserves, coupled with high human populations, build political support for transboundary conservation illegal exploitation activities and decades of, as yet efforts in the three countries.

Action Needed Potential Partners Timeframe Funding Needed

IDF, MINUA, GPC, • Conduct ape population surveys in the Maoimbe Forest in NORAD, UNDP, CABGOC, Cabinda, DRC, and Congo Republic, to include ape counts, habitat DFID, MINADER, MEFE, 2 years $200,000 status and collection of genetic material. MFE, MAE, Gremio ABC, CIRMF

IDF, MINUA, GPC, • Provide training for local community participants and research NORAD, UNDP, CABGOC, personnel in ape census fi eld methodology and community-based 8 months $100,000 DFID, MINADER, MEFE, law enforcement. MFE, MAE, Gremio ABC

IDF, MINUA, GPC, • Conduct socio-economic surveys on bushmeat market trade, NORAD, UNDP, CABGOC, hunting pressure and local attitudes to conservation in the 1 year $50,000 DFID, MINADER, MEFE, Maiombe Forest. MFE, MAE, Gremio ABC © Thomas Breuer, WCS © Thomas Breuer, A juvenile gorilla plays in a tree. Many infants are not so lucky and are confi scated as pets after their mothers die as accidental victims of the bushmeat trade.

23

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

Research Priorities: Reducing the Knowledge Gaps

43 N PREVIOUS SECTIONS OF THIS REPORT, we have estimates had been published . Further, most reported information for this database. Contributions of data Ilisted actions specifi c to priority areas in west- estimates lack the sensitivity needed to detect changes and expertise from this diverse group will help ensure ern equatorial Africa. Debate during the Brazzaville in ape populations. Effective ape conservation in this the preservation of remaining ape populations in the workshop revealed the extent to which gaps in present region will require renewed sampling efforts, refi nement changing context of ape conservation in western knowledge handicap the formulation of optimal con- in survey methodology, and improved data accessibility equatorial Africa. servation strategies for apes in the western equatorial for real-time population monitoring. Africa region. In the face of uncertainty about the size A pragmatic approach must be taken to improve of populations living within the priority areas, identi- existing survey methodologies and investigate alterna- Census Methods and Information Time Funding Accessibility Priorities Frame Needed fi cation was made on the basis of a set of criteria that tive methods to survey ape habitats. Currently available allowed confi dent selection of the largest remaining methods to survey ape populations in the dense forests • Refi ne current survey methods and evaluate innovative tech- populations, but a crucial next step is to develop better of western equatorial Africa are labor intensive and 1 year $120,000 census methods. Faced with the new threat of Ebola, it yield low-quality results. Remote sensing technology, niques to improve estimates of is not only important to have the ability to detect popu- genetic mark-recapture methods, and acoustic sampling ape abundance. lation declines but also to directly seek potential ways of are promising approaches to improving ape population • Develop a centralized data- controlling epidemic disease. Improving methods, creat- estimates, which need to be evaluated. Simultaneously, base, which is continuously ing open-access databases and exploring new avenues efforts must be allocated to methods, research and devel- updated with geo-referenced in conservation science will require “thinking out of the opment for threat detection and mitigation. ape survey data and relevant 1 year $55,000 44 box” and bringing non-traditional partners into col- A centralized database effort to collate information covariates which infl uence laborative networks. In the sections below, priorities for on ape distribution and abundance was initiated for this ape population size and distribution. research are outlined. There is urgency, as without these workshop, but requires further professional development advances, our ability to protect gorillas and chimpanzees to create a web-based user-interface and expand the in western equatorial Africa will remain compromised. database platform to include other ape taxa. By com- piling information that can be used to create dynamic Census Methods and Information Accessibility spatial models of environmental and human variables, Although the forests of western equatorial Africa are which infl uence ape abundance, this database would be claimed to be a stronghold for the long-term conserva- an invaluable resource for strategic conservation plan- tion of viable chimpanzee and gorilla populations, the ning and immediate threat detection. Potential data actual status of these apes remains largely speculative. sources include geo-referenced ape survey data, satellite Most available survey estimates are outdated, inac- imagery, and information collected by forestry prospec- 43 cessible, and lack suffi cient precision for monitoring tors during inventories for management plans. Crosscut- Ape Populations, Environments, and Surveys (A.P.E.S) Database (2005). Developed at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary population trends. Of 150 ape abundance estimates ting collaborations will need to be established among Anthropology. collated for the ape workshop, only 36% of surveys local governments, research institutions, conservation 44 Estimate based on one-year support for database management, survey were conducted within the last fi ve years and 56% of organizations, and local industrial interests to synthesize data entry, and development of web-based user-interface platform.

24

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

Research Priorities, continued

Research and Monitoring Research and Monitoring Time Funding Ebola and ape survival Much remains to be learned about the ecology and Priorities Frame Needed The challenge behavior of chimpanzees and gorillas of western equa- of protecting torial Africa, which most likely comprise the largest • Establish a regional monitoring chimpanzees program, which coordinates remaining populations of wild apes in the world. In and gorillas in surveys and monitoring, in- addition to documenting the distribution and status of creases national capacity, and 2 years $190,000 45 western equato- ape populations, research efforts must also be increased ensures consistency of moni- rial Africa has to improve our general knowledge of the ecology and toring methods across priority been dramatically behavior of these apes. This information is necessary areas. complicated by © Pierre Rouquet to formulate conservation strategies, which ensure the occurrence • Provide capacity building op- Veterinary teams take samples from a long-term population viability for both species. Unique of repeated Ebola gorilla carcass thought to be infected portunities in ape research populations and potential conservation strongholds outbreaks since with the Ebola virus. Training of fi eld staff and monitoring methods and 2 years $150,000 in sampling techniques is important for should be identifi ed via large-scale genetic and ape technical support for national the early 1990s. effective surveillance and rapid responses density surveys. Long-term studies of ape demography researchers. In large regions to outbreaks. and behavior are needed to understand how these apes of northern specifi cally respond to changing social and ecological Gabon and now environments. For survey and monitoring efforts could most effectively be northern Congo, up to 95% of ape populations have example, determin- achieved by establishing a coordinated regional moni- disappeared and the most likely hypothesis is that they toring program, with full endorsement of the regional ing the immediate were victims of this virus (Walsh et al. 2003, Leroy and international scientifi c and conservation com- and long-term et al. 2004). The Ebola outbreaks fi rst affected ape responses of wild munity. Some key objectives of this program include populations in the Minkébé National Park and sur- apes to logging dis- identifying important areas where survey data or moni- rounding forests and then moved east affecting other turbance remains toring programs are lacking, facilitating collaborative regions before reaching Odzala National Park, where unresolved. The monitoring projects between areas and across borders, an outbreak is currently active (June 2005). In the pro- largely undocu- ensuring consistency in survey and monitoring meth- cess, very large numbers of chimpanzees and gorillas mented cultural odologies, building national capacity in each range state are dying. Ongoing research at Lossi and Odzala where traditions of these to conduct monitoring activities, and facilitating com- studied populations of apes have been affected by Ebola wild apes are munication of ape population status to governments, will provide important information on recovery, but at also increasingly international partners, and the scientifi c community. present, while it is impossible to estimate overall num- endangered by bers of apes lost in the western equatorial Africa region, human pressures it is possible and critical to underline the extreme grav- and habitat frag- ity of the situation. In addition, in many cases, humans mentation. are known to have contracted Ebola through handling © Jeffry Oonk & Marleen Azink, Foto Natura Establishment carcasses or meat of infected apes leading to numerous Monitoring chimpanzee populations in 45 Includes salary for regional ape coordinator, travel and communication the Goualougo Triangle. Each individual and promotion of budget for interaction with staff at priority areas, and development of deaths. Therefore if we fi nd ways to protect apes from can be identifi ed through its distinct large-scale training materials for ape monitoring the Ebola virus this will also protect humans. facial features. 25

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

Research Priorities, continued

Ebola: What can be done? Natural recovery? once protected from Ebola, ape populations would Research on the Ebola virus has been ongoing for Because disease is a natural part of the ecosystem in also need protection from hunting. Thus, the optimal many years but much remains unknown, e.g., the which gorillas and chimpanzees evolved, some have strategy for ape conservation in the region involves a identity of the reservoir species and how the virus argued that intervention in the Ebola crisis is not nec- combination of Ebola control and hunting protection, jumps from the reservoir to infect great apes. In essary. Apes have recovered before, they will recover not one or the other. the meantime, and before we have answers to those again. Scarce resources should, instead, be concentrated The quest to fi nd an effective protection against the questions, two types of activity could be effective in on protecting Ebola survivors from other pressures such Ebola virus needs dynamic investment and requires a investigations of if, and how, wild ape populations can as commercial hunting. broad new coalition with local authorities, conservation be protected from infection. The fi rst is to develop a What this view overlooks is the extraordinarily organizations, fi eld ecologists, laboratory scientists and vaccine to protect apes from the Ebola virus and test low reproductive rates of apes. Female chimpanzees human health specialists working together. its effi cacy on captive and wild populations. This will give birth for the fi rst time at about age fourteen and require a very novel alliance between laboratory and thereafter only once every fi ve or six years. Population fi eld-based scientists in a range of disciplines including, doubling time is about 33 years. Even with perfect pro- Female chimpanzees give birth for the virology, epidemiology, ecology and conservation biol- tection from hunting, it would take roughly 150 years fi rst time at about age fourteen and there- after only once every fi ve or six years. . ogy as well as logistical support from habitat country for heavily impacted areas like the Minkébé region of . . Even with perfect protection from governments and conservation NGOs. Such an alli- northern Gabon to “regrow” chimp populations to pre- hunting, it would take roughly 150 years ance was launched during a meeting in Washington, Ebola levels. During most of this period population size for heavily impacted areas to “regrow” DC, in March 2005. It is hoped that this will speed up and density would be low, creating ample potential for chimp populations to pre-Ebola levels. the kind of collaborative research needed to fi ght Ebola the suite of genetic, demographic, and social problems virus in the region. The second avenue is to test if that affl ict small populations. Thus, protecting one natural barriers, such as rivers, slow down the spread of large population from Ebola has conservation value the disease, as appeared to be the case in some regions comparable to perfect hunting protection over about within the Minkébé National Park. Precise analysis of 150 years. Accounting for the cost of hunting protec- the spatial and temporal progression of recent Ebola tion over this long time interval puts the potential costs virus outbreaks within known ape populations at Lossi of Ebola control into proper perspective. Of course, and Lokoué Bai will provide precious information to allow testing of this hypothesis. If rivers are confi rmed Time Funding Ebola and Ape Survival Priorities as partial or complete barriers to Ebola, intervention to Frame Needed prevent apes from crossing them (i.e., removal of natu- • Conduct research into Ebola ral bridges formed by fallen trees or touching canopies)

transmission dynamics and WCS © Thomas Breuer, could prove to be an effective way to slow down the 2 years $150,000 potential control measures, with A gorilla infant suckling. Western progression of the virus and maintain some intact a focus on river barriers. lowland gorillas are thought to have populations of great apes. a substantially longer development • Evaluate the feasibility of alter- phase than their mountain gorilla native vaccine delivery meth- 1 year $150,000 cousins. Inter-birth intervals can ods for wild ape populations. reach up to six years and infant mortality rates can be over 40%.

26

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

Regional Threats to Chimpanzees and Gorillas in West Equatorial Africa and Recommendations for Mitigation

Table 3. Three main threats to chimpanzees and gorillas in western equatorial Africa, and suggested immediate and longer-term responses needed.

LTHOUGH THESE ACTIONS ADDRESS SPECIFIC Threat Immediate Response Needs Longer Term Mitigation Actions A areas and knowledge gaps, many of the threats need to be addressed at the regional level. The fol- Poaching • Implement strict enforcement of • Conduct education campaigns to change lowing outlines these regional threats and provides Poaching of great apes in wildlife protection laws in protected attitudes; western equatorial Africa occurs areas through guard patrols; • Reduce demand for ape meat through recommendations for mitigation. Participants at the despite the fact that they are • Increase human capacity by specifi c education about health risks; Brazzaville workshop were asked to identify up to protected under both national recruitment and training to increase • Provide alternative protein sources in three major threats to apes at each of the priority areas. and international laws in all range effective control on weak links in the rural areas (husbandry, ranching, fi sh Certain of these threats emerged as being consistent states. Although hunters rarely chain of supply: transport routes and farming); throughout the region, thus needing to be addressed target apes, the apes are killed markets; • Create alternative employment for • Improve application of legal sanctions professional bushmeat hunters (park at the regional scale as well as the site level. Commer- when encountered and can be caught in wire snares. by awareness campaigns for police, guards, ecotourism); cial hunting was identifi ed as a major real or potential gendarmes, judges and prosecutors. • Review sanctions for infraction of wildlife threat for every site. Ebola was identifi ed as a potent laws to ensure effective dissuasion actual threat for the Odzala-Lossi-Pikounda-Ngombe- (fi nes, destruction of illegal fi rearms and Ntokou complex and a potential future threat to apes confi scation of vehicles). elsewhere. Logging emerged as one of the greatest Disease • Develop broad-based great ape health • Conduct education and outreach in local threats, especially in concessions surrounding protected Great apes are vulnerable to monitoring and surveillance programs communities on disease risk; areas. Without strict control, the roads and transport many pathogens that affect across key areas; • Improve local livelihoods and health opportunities created by industrial logging systemati- humans and also to zoonotic • Develop rapid response systems to ape structures in key communities; cally lead to a massive increase in commercial bushmeat disease epidemics such as Ebola. mortality; • Train local professionals in health • Implement preventative health monitoring techniques; hunting. While threats from poaching and disease were programs for protected area staff; • Implement control strategies to protect common to all of the areas, other threats such as com- • Target research on Ebola epidemiology apes from Ebola. mercial and artisanal mineral exploitation, affected and possible control strategies; some areas and require specifi c responses. In evaluating • Identify and mitigate risky human threats to apes in western equatorial Africa it is use- behavior in proximity to ape habitat. ful to think on two time scales. In the short term, by Logging • Extend partnerships between protected • Include obligation to enforce wildlife far the most serious threats to apes are poaching and Logging facilitates bushmeat areas and logging companies working protection laws in regional certifi cation disease epidemics. In the longer term habitat loss and hunting by the construction of in buffer zones; schemes for sustainable logging; disturbance will increase as a threat to apes and is likely roads that connect isolated forests • Provide strict control of access routes • Conduct further research on impact of to prevent commercial bushmeat logging on apes, especially chimpanzees, to become, in perhaps three to fi ve decades, as serious a to urban centers, by creating new demand for bushmeat by hunting; over medium-long time span. threat as hunting and disease. workers and dependents, and by • Provide alternative sources of protein The following discusses these threats and offers providing transport opportunities to work force and dependents. mitigation strategies. Table 3 provides a summary of in company vehicles. this section.

27

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

Regional Threats and Recommendations for Mitigation, continued

Poaching of apes needs increased and, just as important, sustained fund- There are two alternative but complementary ing. Furthermore substantial investment is needed to Anti-poaching has proven to be the single most effective means of approaches to protecting apes from poaching. One is to increase human capacity by hiring new law enforcement staff as well training existing and new guards. However, protecting apes in western equato- restrict the supply of ape meat through more intensive rial Africa. It is the foundation upon anti-poaching patrols and checkpoints cannot succeed law enforcement. The other is to reduce the demand by which all other ape conservation supplying alternative sources of protein, changing cul- in isolation. The judicial system is a critical link in the activities rest. It needs increased tural attitudes about ape meat consumption, or provid- law enforcement chain, and judges and prosecutors need and, just as important, sustained ing employment in fi elds such as ape tourism that rely to be pulled into the system through training in wildlife funding. on healthy ape populations. Both of these approaches law and inclusion in regional wildlife protection efforts. will play an important role in future ape conserva- tion but it is crucial to recognize that they differ in the speed with which they can be effective. Intensifi ed law Box 3. Great ape conservation through environmental education enforcement activities can have an almost immediate impact, while changing cultural attitudes, develop- Cross-cutting across multiple disciplines and threats, local, national and international communities, education ing tourism, or providing alternate protein sources on is the fundamental method by which to engage people in conservation. Given the cultural and ecological sig- large enough scales will take years or even decades. This nifi cance and all-round charisma of species such as gorillas or chimpanzees, education can be an extremely powerful tool with which to effect change over the long term. Approaches to environmental education vary distinction is critical because the current rate of ape depending on the region and the target audience, but in all cases the use of values or methods with which the decline is so staggering. If the impacts of commercial audience can identify is essential to bring about a positive change in attitudes to apes and their conservation. hunting are not dampened imme- diately there will be Case-study 1: In the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park in the Republic of Congo, staff from a gorilla research project at Mbeli Bai have launched a conservation relatively few apes club, Club Ebobo (‘ebobo’ means gorilla in the Lingala language) in the local vil- left to protect by the lage, using the activities of the gorilla research project as a basis for teach- time demand-side ing children about apes and their role in the forest, as well as widening support strategies begin to for conservation in and around the national park through the use of games, take hold. puppets and role plays. In attempting to teach children to appreciate wild- Anti-poaching life for it’s own sake, the Club also organizes fi eld trips to Mbeli Bai in order has proven to be the for children to experience gorillas and other animals in their natural habitat. single most effective Case-study 2: A conservation NGO, INCEF (International Conservation and Edu- © Jeffry Oonk & Marleen Azink/Foto Natura © David Wilkie, WCS means of protect- A child takes part in a Club cation Fund), is proposing to use the power of media and theatre at a grass-roots Ecoguards stop a truck on a major ing apes in western level to impart scientifi c knowledge of the potential for disease transmission from logging road in northern Congo. Ebobo role play and puppet equatorial Africa. game. The club teaches bushmeat — with a focus on Ebola — and promote discussions for alternative pro- Mandatory checks at regular control It is the foundation posts have proved effective in reducing children about apes and tein sources. Films will be produced using real-life stories told in local languages in the quantity of bushmeat illegally upon which all other their role in the forest. order to convey the message and attempt to dispel the many myths associated with transported on logging vehicles ape conservation diseases like Ebola. circulating in forestry concessions. activities rest. It

28

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

Regional Threats and Recommendations for Mitigation, continued

Improvements in mitigation strategies must focus Disease on the weak links in the bushmeat trade chain of sup- While disease is a natural component of wildlife ecol- ply. Catching poachers in the act in the dense tropical ogy, evidence suggests that in western equatorial Africa, forest is diffi cult, but improving intelligence gathering endemic disease is having a catastrophic effect on great and subsequent searches can be effective. Law enforce- apes. The Ebola virus has had a devastating impact and ment along transport routes and in markets and cross- may be responsible for a 50–90% decline in ape popu- border law enforcement cooperation are also effective. lations in many parts of Gabon and Congo over recent Improvements in legislation can contribute as years. well, by making offenses more costly and allowing law Furthermore, disease risks posed by humans may enforcement agencies to either destroy or keep guns © Foto Natura Oonk & Azink levy an additional burden on great ape populations, Natural swampy clearings — called “bais” in the local language — and ammunition confi scated for law enforcement pur- given the genetic relatedness between humans and are relatively common across much of Gabon and Congo and offer poses, rather then returning them, as often happens, to apes and potential for disease transmission. Apes considerable viewing opportunities of western lowland gorillas. the owner or them ending up in the hands of corrupt have already been shown to be vulnerable to human They are of great ecological signifi cance, as the gorillas feed on the aquatic herbaceous vegetation there. offi cials. pathogens, mainly those associated with respiratory, The supply-side approach will require a combina- intestinal and skin diseases (Wallis and Lee 1998; Grac- scabies, yaws and tuberculosis that can spread through tion of time-tested strategies and innovative solutions. zyk et al. 2002; Nishida et al. 2003). Whilst human ape populations with high mortality rates. In addition, Much progress has already been made in providing population densities in remote forested regions of conservation and research activities such as habituation, employment linked to conservation (tourism, pro- western equatorial Africa are typically low, these rural ecotourism, provisioning, reintroduction and release tected area staff), which has been changing attitudes in communities often have minimal or no access to health increase risk of infection with human diseases. How- several important ape areas. In some regions protected infrastructures. Recent studies in Gabon show 100% of ever, very little information is currently available on the areas are among the largest employers, but this is often the studied human population, which shares habitats health status of wild apes in western equatorial Africa not well documented and publicized. with apes, are not vaccinated against diseases such as Awareness raising and environmental education or the full range of pathogens that affect them. This are important long-term strategies and are already paucity of data compounds the challenges in evaluating ongoing in many regions (Box 3, left). These need changes in the health of wildlife or the risk associated to be intensifi ed and brought to the national level. It with anthropozoonotic or zoonotic diseases. Research should be stressed that it is not only a question of con- on both healthy and diseased ape populations as well as servation of apes but also an issue for national public the human populations living around them are there- health. Recent collaboration between health and pro- fore critical. tected area managers and conservationists is a positive The approach to protecting apes from disease is a development that should be extended and include the holistic one and must include great ape health moni- media, education offi cials and practitioners. toring and surveillance programs. Collecting baseline health data from wild ape populations is a critical tool © Phillip Henschel, WCS for identifying changes associated with risky human A female gorilla with a facial disease, possibly yaws. Given our genetic similarity to great apes, the potential for transmission of behavior, and an early warning system for new or novel human diseases to gorillas and chimpanzees is high. pathogens before a potential crisis arises. Given that

29

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

What Will it Cost to Implement Urgent Actions for Chimpanzees and Gorillas Across Western Equatorial Africa?

HIS PLAN HAS PROVIDED LISTS of activities for equatorial Africa region remain under-funded and Teach priority area for great apes in western equa- therefore not always able to provide effective protection torial Africa and estimated how much it will cost to for apes and other species. Ensuring adequate funding A total of $29,275,000 implement them. We have also detailed the gaps in our levels and sustainable sources of fi nance for protected knowledge, stressed the urgent need to fi ll these gaps, area management is one of the greatest challenges to is needed to protect and estimated how much this might cost. These urgent conservation. Based on Blom’s (2004) calculation of great apes in western actions add to a total of $29,275,000 to protect great costs of recuurent expenditure for effective manage- equatorial Africa. apes in western equatorial Africa. ment of protected areas in each country, the existing Legally protected areas are the cornerstone of any protected areas within the priority sites for ape conser- conservation strategy, but most of those in the western vation would require about $16 million per year. © Jeffry Oonk & Marleen Azink, Foto Natura A juvenile chimpanzee pant hoots. New forms of tool-using behavior in the central chimpanzee were recently documented in the Goualougo Triangle, which provides exciting evidence about the behavioral diversity

© Thomas Breuer, WCS © Thomas Breuer, of this species.

A young black-back gorilla feeds on herbs at Mbeli Bai. These clearings have greatly facilitated our capacity to observe gorilla groups, and as such, have improved our understanding of their social organization and behavior.

31

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

Africa. The addition of Ebola to poaching and habitat loss has created a potent cocktail of threats to apes in Conclusions this region. Strong political will for conservation and environmental protection exists in western equato- rial Africa, as well as mechanisms for cooperation at a regional level. This provides hope that with increased international aid, implementation of the recommenda- ESTERN LOWLAND GORILLA AND CHIMPANZEE areas, such as the two identifi ed on pages 22 and 23, tions of the expert group who met in Brazzaville in May Wpopulations in western equatorial Africa are need surveys to establish the present status of apes, 2005 can be achieved quickly and this will make a very in steep decline. We do not know exactly how many while others were too small in size to be included but signifi cant difference to the survival of chimpanzee and remain, but the alarming average annual rate of decline contain populations that may have long-term viability. gorillas in these six countries. of 4.7% in Gabon between 1983–2000 (Walsh et al., Without effective monitoring of wild ape numbers and 2003) and the high mortality >80% recorded in two health status, optimal conservation will not be pos- studied populations affected by Ebola underline a criti- sible thus there is extreme urgency to advance applied cal state for conservation and the need for urgent rein- research on these issues in addition to reinforced multi- forcement of their protection. In this report we identify disciplinary investigation of Ebola prevention in the site and regional based activities that are required and, face of this extremely potent new threat. importantly, defi ne how to reinforce the knowledge It is illegal to kill or capture apes in all of the habitat base upon which conservation strategy design and countries of Pan troglodytes troglodytes and Gorilla gorilla implementation depends. gorilla, thus law enforcement is the central thread of The protection of the 12 priority ape populations

the conservation strategy. Effective law enforcement © Hilde van Leeuwe, WCS identifi ed during the Brazzaville meeting in May 2005, requires a huge investment but, given this, it would Forest savanna mosaic in the coastal zone of Conkouati-Douli National from which this report is the main outcome, would have an immediate positive effect for apes. In the face Park, Republic of Congo. This region boasts high chimpanzee densities, guarantee the survival of the majority of apes remaining of the staggering ongoing decline, dampening the because they are considered taboo for hunting by the local people. in the region if successfully implemented. The consen- impact of commercial hunting on apes is the easiest sus reached on a clear list of the most urgently needed action to implement — through arrest and prosecution activities for each site provides strong conservation of poachers and through control of access and transport strategies for the immediate future and we estimate that opportunities in the key protected areas and logging with about 30 million dollars over the next fi ve years, concessions identifi ed as ape strongholds. Clearly, this could be achieved. We hope that funding agencies enforcement must be accompanied by awareness and will understand the urgency of the situation and seize education campaigns and the creation of jobs and the opportunity to support such a broad agreement. appropriate incentive systems for rural populations. The identifi cation of 12 priority areas, which con- Once an ape population is reduced by hunting tain the largest remaining wild populations, indicates or disease, its capacity to recover is limited due to where efforts and investments must be focused on the very slow reproduction and complex social behavior. ground in order to ensure the best possible case sce- The “natural protection” afforded in the past by the nario for great ape conservation in the region. The list large remaining blocks of forest habitat isolated from of areas is not “set in stone” nor are their geographical human activities is eroding as logging spreads into the © Jeffry Oonk & Marleen Azink, Foto Natura Children sing out during a conservation education session of Club boundaries. Conditions can change rapidly and some most remote parts of the western equatorial region of Ebobo in northern Congo.

32

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

References List of Acronyms

Blom, A. 2004. An estimate of the costs of an effective system CABGOC Cabinda Gulf Oil Company, Angola GPC Provincial Government of Cabinda, Angola of protected areas in the Niger Delta – Congo Basin Forest CAR Central African Republic GRAET Great Ape Ebola Taskforce Region. Biodiversity and Conservation 13, 2661–2678. Collomb, J.-G. et al. 2000. A First Look at Logging in Gabon. CARPE Central African Regional Program for the GTZ Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammearbeit World Resources Institute (WRI), Washington, DC. Environment, USA HELP Habitat Ecologique et Liberté des Primates, Republic Elkan, P.W., Elkan, S.W., Moukassa, A., Malonga, R., Ngangoue, CAWHFI Central Africa World Heritage Finance Initiative of Congo M. and Smith, J.L.D. 2005. Management of bushmeat (UNESCO) IDF Forestry Development Institute, Angola hunting in a timber concession in northern Republic of Congo. In Emerging Threats to Tropical Forests, C.A. Peres and W. CBFP Congo Basin Forest Partnership (USAID) IFO Industrie Forestière de Ouesso, Congo Laurance (eds.). University of Chicago Press, Chicago, in press. CENAREST Centre National de Recherche Scientifique et INDEFOR Instituto Nacional de Desarrollo Forestal, Fishpool, L.D.C. and Evans, M. I. 2001. Important Bird Areas Technique, Gabon Equatorial Guinea in Africa and associated islands: Priority sites for conservation. CFC Conservation de la Faune Congolaise IRAD Institut de Recherche Agricole pour le In: BirdLife Conservation Series (11), pp.1144. Newbury, UK: Développement, Cameroon Pisces Publications and BirdLife International. CIAD A local NGO, Cameroon IRET Institut de Recherche en Ecologie Tropicale, Gabon Graczyk, T.K., Bosco-Niyezi, J., Ssebide, B., Thompson, R.C.A., CIB Congolaise Industrielle de Bois, Congo Read, C. and Cranfield, M. R. 2002. Anthropozoonotic ITTO CIFOR International Tropical Timber Organization, Japan Giardia duodenalis genotype (assemblage) A infections in Center for International Forestry Research LNSP Laboratoire Nationale de la Santé Publique, CIRMF Centre International de Recherche Medicale de habitat of free-ranging human-habituated gorillas, Uganda. République du Congo Journal of Parasitology, 88, 905–909. Franceville, Gabon MAE Ministère des Affaires Etrangeres, Republic of Congo Kormos, R., Boesch, C., Bakarr, M.I. and Butynski, T.M. 2002. CMP Cybertracker Monitoring Programme West African Chimpanzees. Status Survey and Conservation Action MEFE Ministère de l’Economie Forestière et de CNPN Conseil National des Parcs Nationaux, Gabon Plan. IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group. Gland, Switzerland l’Environnement, Republique du Congo and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. CNRS Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France MEFEPE Ministere de l’Economie Forestiere, des Eaux, de Leroy, E.M. et al. 2004. Multiple Ebola virus transmission events CPC Centre Pasteur du Cameroun la Peche, et de l’Environnement, Gabon and rapid decline of Central African wildlife. Science, 303, 387–390. CRES Conservation and Research for Endangered Species, MEFEBE (P.21) Zoological Society of San Diego, USA Nishida, T. et al. 2003. Demography, female life history and MFE Ministry of Forestry and Environnment, Democratic reproductive profiles among the chimpanzees of Mahale. DFC Direction de la Faune, Gabon Republic of Congo American Journal of Primatology, 59, 99–121. DFID Department of Finance and International MINADER Ministry of Agriculture, Cameroon Plumptre, A.J. (2000). Monitoring mammal populations with Development, UK line transect techniques in African forests. Journal of Applied MINEEFCP Ministère de L’Environnement, des Eaux, Ecology 37, 356–368. ECOFAC Conservation et Utilisation rationnelle des Fôrets, Chasse et Peche, Republique Centre Africaine ressources en Afrique Centrale Tutin, C.E.G., Porteous, I.S., Wilkie, D.S. and Nasi, R. 2001. MINEPN Ministère de L’Envionnement et de la Protection Comment minimiser l’impact de l’exploitation forestière sur ENEF Ecole National des Eaux et Forêts, Gabon de la Nature la faune dans le Bassin du Congo? Les dossiers de l’ADIE, Série EU European Union, Belgium Forêt, (1): 1–36. Gabon: Multipress. MINFOF Ministère des Fôrets et de la Faune, République Walsh, P.D. et al. 2003. Catastrophic ape decline in western FEDEC Foundation for Environment and Development, du Cameroun equatorial Africa. Nature, London, 422, 611–614. Cameroon MINSANTE Ministère de la Santé, République du Cameroun Wallis, J. and Lee, R.L. 1998. Primate conservation: The FFEM Fonds Français pour l’Environnement Mondial, France MINTOUR Ministère du tourisme, République du Cameroun prevention of disease transmission. International Journal of FFI Primatology, 20, 803–826. Fauna & Flora International MINUA Ministry of Urban Affairs and Environment, Angola White, L.J.T. 1994. The effects of commercial mechanised FIGET Fondation International Gabon Ecotourisme MPI-EVA Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary logging on forest structure and composition on a transect in the FMU Forestry Management Unit Anthropology, Germany Lopé Reserve, Gabon. Journal of Tropical Ecology, 10, 313–322. FRM Forest Resource Management MSPP Ministere de la Santé Publique et de la Population, Republique du Congo GEF Global Environment Facility, USA

33

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

List of Acronyms, continued Acknowledgements Contributions

NIH National Institutes of Health, USA E ACKNOWLEDGE the United States Fish and Wildlife NE OF THE GOALS OF THIS ACTION PLAN is to Service Great Ape Conservation Fund, the UNEP/ NORAD Norwegian Development Agency W raise funds for the conservation of great apes in UNESCO Great Ape Survival Project (GRASP), the Cleve- O PGS Projet Grands Singes, Cameroon land Park Zoological Society, the Primate Action Fund, the the western equatorial Africa region. Individual con- PMDA Programme Mesures d’Accompagnement pour la Centre International de Recherches Médicale de Francev- tacts of workshop participants are listed below if you Réserve du Dja, Cameroon ille, and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their would like to make a contribution directly to a project fi nancial support for the workshop that led to the publica- PNDP Programme National Participatif de or site or individual. There are two existing funds for Developpement, Cameroon tion of this action plan. Thank you to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Great Ape Conservation Fund, great ape conservation in this region. The Section for PRESIDA Prevention SIDA Cameroon the UNEP/UNESCO Great Ape Survival Project (GRASP) Great Apes of the IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group PSVAP Projet Sectorial de Valorisation des Aires Protégées and the Center for Applied Biodiversity Science at Conser- has created a specifi c fund for the conservation of great vation International for the funds for the publication of the (EU) apes called the Great Ape Emergency Conservation RKI Robert Kock Institute, Germany plan itself. We are grateful for the support of the Center for Applied Biodiversity Science at Conservation International, Fund. If you would like to contribute, please contact SCD Société de Conservation et Développement, Gabon the Wildlife Conservation Society, and the Wild Chimpan- Anthony Rylands (Deputy Chair of the Primate Spe- SCS A local ecotourism NGO, Gabon zee Project. Thanks must go to David Morgan, Crickette cialist Group) at [email protected]. You can SEBAC Logging company, Société d’Exploitation des Bois Sanz and Hjalmar Kuhel for their work in compiling the APES database prior to the workshop, and to David Mor- still specify to which project or site you would like d’Afrique Centrale, Cameroon gan in particular for the production of distribution and these funds to go. The USFWS Great Ape Conserva- SGA Section on Great Apes abundance maps for use at the workshop. In ensuring the tion Fund also provides grants for great ape conserva- smooth running of the Brazzavulle workshop we gratefully SI tion and research. If you could like to contribute to Smithsonian Institution acknowledge Isaac Moussa, Jean-Robert Onononga, Bruno TNS Sangha Trinational, Republic of Congo/Cameroon/ Ebale for logistical and secretarial assistance, and Nazaire this fund, please contact Richard Ruggiero at Richard_ Central African Republic Massamba and Francis Mabiala for translation. We are [email protected]. TRIDOM Trinational de Dja/Odzala/Minkebe, Cameroon/ most honored to have illustrations by Stephen Nash in this Republic of Congo/Gabon action plan. Thank you also to Steve Blake for all his hard work on producing the maps for this action plan. Thank UAB University of Alabama you to Cyril Kormos for his editorial help. We are also most UNDP United Nations Development Program grateful to Anthony Rylands for his keen editorial eye in UNEP United Nations Environment Program, Kenya the fi nal stages of this action plan, and to Kimberly Meek for her layout and design work. We are extremely thank- UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientifi c and ful to all of those who have contributed photographs for Cultural Organization, France this action plan to come alive. We are indebted to Fanja USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service Andriamialisoa for the translation of the French action plan USTM Université de Sciences et Techniques de Masuku, under such a tight deadline, and to Christophe Boesch Gabon for reviewing the translation. There are many people who WCS Wildlife Conservation Society helped with the organization of the workshop that led to the production of this action plan and we are grateful to WCS-FVP Wildlife Conservation Society Field Veterinary them all. Finally, we are extremely grateful to all of the par- Program ticipants listed on pages 35–36 who were those who worked WWF World Wildlife Fund so hard to formulate the priorities and to provide the infor- © Thomas Breuer, WCS © Thomas Breuer, ZSL Zoological Society of London mation needed for this plan and we do hope that this result A group of western lowland gorillas, consisting of a silverback, two will add support to your work. females and an infant, feeding on vegetation in a forest clearing.

34

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

Workshop Participants

ADIAHENO, Rene. Coordinator, Advisor for national parks, (CNPN), DUBOIS, Yves. Technical Director, CIB, [email protected] MORTIER Philippe. Chef de Composant, Odzala-Koukoua National Park, GABON. [email protected] DUPAIN, Jeff. Researcher, AWF. [email protected] ECOFAC. [email protected] AGNANGA, Marcellin. Coordinator-Bushmeat Working Group – CITES. DJONI DJIMBI Jose Bourges, Conservateur ODZALA, MEFE, REP. OF MOSES, Cynthia. Director, International Conservation and Education Fund. [email protected] CONGO. [email protected] USA. [email protected] ANANGOYE, Jean-Pierre. Executive Secretary, RAPAC. jp_agnangoye@ ELKAN, Paul. Director General, WCS-CONGO, REP. OF CONGO. pelkan@ MOUSSA, Isaac. President, Alliance Nationale pour la Nature. yahoo.fr; pallafl[email protected] wcs.org [email protected] ANDO, Chieko. Researcher, University of Kyoto, JAPAN. pontapuku@ FLYNN, John. CARPE-USAID. jofl[email protected] MUAMBA-KANA, Leonard. Secretary General à L’Environnement. ICCN, yahoo.co.jp FORNI, Eric. CIRAD. [email protected] DRC. [email protected] ANGELETTI, Irene. Expert en Environnement, Commission Europeenne. FOSSO, Bernard. Chef de Service des Inventaires Fauniques, MINEF, NDONG-OBIANG, Sosthène. Conservateur Minkebe, DFC. s_ndongobiang@ [email protected] CAMEROON. [email protected] yahoo.fr ANKARA, Dieudonne. Point Focal GRASP, MEFE, REP. OF CONGO. GALE, Lyndsay. Coordinator, Bushmeat and Forest Conservation Programme, NOUNGOU, Adrien. Director de la Faune et la Chasse, MINEFEPE, GABON. [email protected] ZSL. UK. [email protected] [email protected] (via [email protected]) ARAUJU, Alector. Director Provincial, Department Provincial de GAMI, Norbert. Director du Projet Bateke, Programme Congo, WCS. NSOSSO, Dominique. Secretary General, AMEA (Alliance Homme Envi- l’Agriculture, des Pecheries, et de l’Environnement, CABINDA. [email protected] ronnement d’Afrique). [email protected] [email protected]; [email protected] GREER, David. Conseiller Assistant Technique, Projet Dzanga-Sanga, WWF. OATES, John. WCS, USA. [email protected]; [email protected] BAILLIE, Jonathan. Researcher, ZSL. UK. [email protected] [email protected] OMENI, Fedelis O. Ministre Federale de l’Environnement. fedelodomeni@ BENE BENE, Lambert. Researcher, WWF. [email protected] HELLYER, Bob. USAID. yahoo.com BERMEJO, Magda. Researcher, University of Barcelona, SPAIN. berille@ HERBINGER, Ilka. Coordinator, Wild Chimpanzee Foundation. CÔTE d’IVOIRE. ONGAGNA, Virginie. Chef Adjoint Accord de LUSAKA, MEFE, REP. OF jazzfree.com [email protected] CONGO. [email protected] BLAKE, Stephen. Elephant Program Coordinator, WCS. USA. [email protected] IKOLI Florent. Conservateur, Lesio-Luna, MEFE, REP. OF CONGO. POUAKOUYOU, Daniel. FFI. daniel.pouakouyou@fauna-flora.org BLOM, Allard. Senior Program Officer, Endangered Species Program, WWF, fl[email protected] REDMOND, Ian Technical Advisor. GRASP. [email protected] USA. [email protected] JAMART, Alliette. Directrice, HELP Congo, REP. OF CONGO help.congo@ REED, Trish. WCS-Field Vet Program. [email protected] BOESCH, Christophe. Director, Max-Planck Institute/Wild Chimpanzee cg.celtelplus.com ROBBINS, Martha. Researcher, Institut Max-Planck. GERMANY. Foundation, GERMANY. [email protected] KING, Tony. Projet Protection des Gorilles. [email protected] [email protected]; [email protected] BONILLA, Juan-Carlos. Representative Regional, CI, USA. jbonilla@ KOMBO, Germain. Conseiller a l’Environnement, MEFE, REP. OF CONGO. RON, Tamar. Conseillere Technique, PNUD. [email protected]; conservation.org [email protected] [email protected] BREUER, Thomas. Researcher, Max Planck Institute/WCS, GERMANY. MABAZA, Gustave. Anthopologist, WWF. via [email protected] ROUQUET, Pierre. Coordinator, Monitoring Odzala, ECOFAC. prouquet@ [email protected] MABIALA, Noe. Chef de service a la Direction de la Faune et des Aires yahoo.fr CAMERON, Ken. Director, Tchimpounga Sanctuary, JGI-CONGO. REP. OF Protegees, MEFE, REP. OF CONGO. [email protected] RUGGIERO, Richard. Coordinator, USFWS. USA. [email protected] CONGO [email protected] MANKOTO, Sami. UNESCO. [email protected] SANDERS, Robin. Ambassadrice des Etats-Unis, Rep. du Congo, Govern- CASSAGNE, Bernard, Director, Forest Resources Management. frm. MAROGA-MBINA, Joseph.Chef de Service de l’Amenagement de la Faune, ment des Etats-Unis. USA. [email protected] [email protected] MINEFEPE, GABON. [email protected] SANZ, Crickette. Researcher, Max Planck Institute/WCS, GERMANY. CHAMBERLAIN, Christelle. Projet Protection des Gorilles. [email protected] MBIEME LOKWA Boniface. Sous-Director en charge de la Recherche et du [email protected] CIPPOLETTA, Chloe. Researcher, WWF. [email protected] Développement Durable, ICCN, DRC. [email protected] STOKES, Emma. Coordinator de Recherche, Projet Nouabale-Ndoki. WCS, DELHAM, Alain. Congo Representative, Agence de Developpement Fran- MOKOKO, Jerome. Director General Assistant, Programme Congo, WCS. REP. OF CONGO. [email protected] caise. via Eric Forni [email protected] REP. OF CONGO [email protected] TIEBOU, Joseph. MINEF, CAMEROON. via [email protected] DEVERS, Didier. Researcher, University of Maryland, USA. ddevers@glue. MOMBOULI, Jean-Vivien. Director, National Laboratory, Ministre de la Pop- TUTIN, Caroline. Consultant, CIRMF. FRANCE. [email protected] umd.edu ulation et la Sante Publique, REP. OF [email protected] VENTUROLI, Carla. Director, Projet Mikongo, ZSL, UK. carla.venturoli@ DEVOS, Celine. Researcher, University of Liège, BELGIUM. celinedevos@ MORGAN, Bethan. Researcher, CRES. [email protected] libero.it swing.be MORGAN, David. Researcher, University de Cambridge/WCS. WALSH, Peter.Guest Scientist, Max-Planck Institute, GERMANY. DORAN, Diane. Researcher, University of Stony Brook, USA. ddoran@ [email protected] [email protected] notes.cc.sunysb.edu

35

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa

Workshop Participants, continued

WICKINGS, Jean. Researcher, CIRMF, GABON. [email protected] WILLIAMSON, Liz. Consultant, University of Stirling, UK. There is high overlap between priority areas for [email protected] great apes and priority areas for biodiversity in gen- ZAU, Simao. Regional Director, Institute de developpement forestiere CABI- NDA. [email protected] eral, thus great apes are extremely important fl ag- ship species for conservation. Other Contributors

ABERNETHY, Kate. Director, SEGC, Lope, CIRMF, GABON. k.a.abernethy@ stir.ac.uk CURRAN, Bryan. Director National, WCS-Gabon. GABON. [email protected] DE WACHTER, Pauwel. Director, Minkebe Project, WWF. pauwel_ [email protected] HUIJBREGTS, Bas. Director, Gamba Project, WWF, GABON. huijbregts_ [email protected] LAHM, Sally. Consultant UCSD. USA. [email protected] MAISELS, Fiona. Regional Monitoring Coordinator, Central Africa, WCS, GABON. [email protected] MENARD, Nelly. University of Rennes, FRANCE. nelly.menard@ univ-rennes1.fr RAINEY Hugo. Director, Lac Tele Project, WCS-Congo, REP. OF CONGO. [email protected] SUNDERLAND-GROVES, Jacqui. Director, Takamanda Project, WCS. [email protected] TCHIKANGWA NKANJE, Bertin. Project Executant, WWF-Campo-Ma’an Project. CAMEROON. [email protected] USONGO, Leonard. Coordinator, WWF, CAMEROON. [email protected] Van Leewue Hilde. Director, Conkouati-Douli Project, WCS-Congo [email protected] WHITE, Lee, Director, WCS-Gabon, GABON. [email protected] © Thomas Breuer, WCS © Thomas Breuer,

A young male sitatunga shares a feeding patch with a group of western lowland gorillas.

36

Suggested reference: Tutin, C., et. al. 2005. Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa. IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group Conservation International. Washington, DC. Washington, DC. COVER PHOTOS: Funding for printing this publication was generously provided by the United States [TOP LEFT] © Nick Nichols, NGS Fish and Wildlife Service, the Great Apes Survival Project, and the Center for [LOWER RIGHT] [top] © Nick Nichols, NGS; [bottom] © Thomas Breuer, WCS Applied Biodiversity Science at Conservation International.