Ghana Bia Ecological characteristics: The Bia National Park and Bia Resource Reserve cons- titute the twin conservation area and represents the best example of transitional zone between moist- evergreen and moist semi- deciduous forest types. The area is dominated by Celtis- Triplochiton associations, Teighemella heckelii and © Bia BR Entadrophragma angolense . The National Park is almost a virgin forest with almost no human interference (apart from snail picking). It is only pristine rainforest and the finest example of its type remaining in Ghana today. Ho- wever, the Resource Reserve has been opened up due to © Bia BR the past logging at the area and regeneration is taking place. Annual average precipitation is in the range 1,500- Declaration date: 1983 1,700 mm. Sixty-one species of mammals have been recor- Surface area: 7,770 ha ded. These include 9 primates amongst which are the Administrative division: Juaboso and Bia Districts in Black and White Colobus, the Oilve Colobus monkeys and the Western Region in Ghana chimpanzees; the area is one of the few areas in the coun- try known to support the chimpanzees. The forest elephant and the highly threatened bongo are present. Over 200 spe- Human activities: cies of birds have been recorded; they include the interna- tionally endangered white-breasted guinea fowl. The forest - Snail picking in the Park is actually very rich with biodiversity. - Research activities - A number of walking trails and roads lead into the re- serves on which tourist can appreciate the beauty of the forest, the birds, forest elephants and other wild animals - The site is surrounded by mixed farms, (cocoa, plantain, rearing of domestic animals). Protection classifications: A National Park and A Resource Reserve forming a Conservation Area. Contact information: RICHARD OFORI-AMANFO, BIA CONSERVATION AREA, BOX 171, SEFWI-WIAWSO, W/R, GHANA (+233-243320704) E-mail: [email protected] .