MayToday, the totalbe population as offew Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees may number as few as 3,500. as 3,500 left Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of the Nigeria-Cameroon Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti) HopeImplementation of the recommendations in this plan will make a significant difference to the survival of the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee. Survival Photo: Liza Gadsby Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti) Implementation of the priority conservation actions proposed in this Conservation Action Plan would protect over 95% of the remaining Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees over the next five years. Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of the Nigeria-Cameroon Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti) Table of Contents Prefaces ...........................................................................................................................................2 South West Region Chimpanzee Conservation Planning Unit, Cameroon ....................................26 Mount Cameroon Cluster .........................................................................................................27 Authors and Editors..........................................................................................................................3 Takamanda Complex ...............................................................................................................28 Banyang-Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary ............................................................................................28 Executive Summary..........................................................................................................................4 Korup National Park ................................................................................................................29 Résumé exécutif ..............................................................................................................................5 Mone-Oko Complex ..................................................................................................................29 Lebialem Complex ...................................................................................................................30 Introduction .....................................................................................................................................6 Bakossi National Park .............................................................................................................30 Threats to the Survival of Nigeria-Cameroon Chimpanzees ........................................................10 North West Region Chimpanzee Conservation Planning Unit, Cameroon ....................................31 Kom-Wum Forest Reserve ........................................................................................................32 General Approaches to Chimpanzee Conservation in Cameroon and Nigeria ............................13 Ako-Mbembe Forest Reserve ...................................................................................................32 Chimpanzee Conservation Planning Units and Priority Sites for Nigeria-Cameroon Littoral Region Chimpanzee Conservation Planning Unit, Cameroon...........................................33 Chimpanzees .................................................................................................................................14 Proposed Ebo National Park ....................................................................................................34 Forestry Management Unit 00-004 ..........................................................................................34 Southwestern Nigeria Chimpanzee Conservation Planning Unit ..................................................16 Okomu Forest Reserve and National Park ................................................................................17 Centre Region Chimpanzee Conservation Planning Unit, Cameroon ...........................................35 Idanre Forest Cluster ...............................................................................................................17 Mbam & Djerem National Park ................................................................................................36 Omo Forest Cluster ..................................................................................................................18 Ise Forest Reserve ...................................................................................................................18 Survey Priorities ............................................................................................................................37 Niger Delta Chimpanzee Conservation Planning Unit, Nigeria .....................................................19 Law Enforcement ..........................................................................................................................39 Edumanom Forest ...................................................................................................................19 Transboundary Issues ...................................................................................................................40 Cross River State Chimpanzee Conservation Planning Unit, Nigeria ...........................................20 Oban Division, Cross River National Park ................................................................................21 The Role of Chimpanzee Sanctuaries ...........................................................................................41 Okwangwo Division, Cross River National Park ......................................................................21 The Role of Research in Conservation Planning ..........................................................................42 Afi Complex .............................................................................................................................22 Mbe Mountains .......................................................................................................................22 The Need for Sustained, Long-term Funding ................................................................................44 Taraba Chimpanzee Conservation Planning Unit, Nigeria ............................................................23 Conclusions ....................................................................................................................................45 Gashaka-Gumti National Park ................................................................................................24 Southern Taraba .....................................................................................................................25 References .....................................................................................................................................46 Acronyms........................................................................................................................................47 Participant list ...............................................................................................................................48 1 Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of the Nigeria-Cameroon Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti) Prefaces The Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroon are the only The Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroon are the only home home of the most endangered form of chimpanzee: Pan troglodytes ellioti, the of the most endangered form of chimpanzee: Pan troglodytes ellioti (also known as the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee). This sub-species of chimpanzee has the low- Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee. Both our Governments recognize the great est estimated total population size of all, given its restricted distribution within importance of biodiversity conservation in safeguarding our natural heritage, forested habitats to the north of the Sanaga River in Cameroon, the eastern edge and we have therefore been closely involved in the development of this conser- of Nigeria, and in forest fragments in the Niger Delta and Southwestern Nigeria. vation action plan. Both our Governments understand that the distribution of the Nigeria- Cameroon chimpanzee coincides with a biodiversity hotspot of global signifi- cance, high human population density, ineffective enforcement of hunting laws, There are estimated to be between 3,500 and 9,000 Nigeria-Cameroon together with habitat destruction and fragmentation. These factors have led to chimpanzees remaining in the world, and we fully endorse recommendations the extinction of this chimpanzee across much of its former range. Thus both made in this plan to ensure their continued survival. The plan identifies prior- governments recognize the great importance of biodiversity conservation in safe- guarding this natural heritage and the need for synergy with various partners, ity areas where targeted conservation efforts can improve the survival prospects and have therefore been closely involved in the development of this conservation of chimpanzee populations, and lists the actions that are needed to secure these action plan. populations for posterity. By suggesting partners to work with our respective Our conviction is that the proposed measures to conserve the Nigeria-Cam- Governments, as well as time frames and estimates for funding requirements, eroon chimpanzee, such as the protection of forest habitats and the control of hunting, will generate an increase in the chimpanzee population, and also benefit