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Supporting local community integration into great ape and ecosystem protection, Dja Biosphere Reserve, Cameroon

Project: Research

  • Maddison, Neil (Project coordinator)
  • McGilchrist, Lios (Project coordinator)
  • Ransom, Chris (Project coordinator)
  • Tagg, Nikki (Project coordinator)

Description

Illegal hunting of critically endangered Western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and endangered Central chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) and other wildlife species, has adverse effects on the forest ecosystem. Local people around the Dja Biosphere Reserve (DBR) live on an income of less than $1/day. This project is shaped by the need (identified by the local communities) to address the demand for revenue-generating activities to replace unsustainable bushmeat hunting. The purpose of the collaborative long term project is to advantage at least 35 communities north and east of the DBR and to ensure that their livelihoods are compatible with a reduction of the impact of non-sustainable activities in the region, in particular illegal hunting of apes. Activities include the provision of training, materials and equipment for locally-solicited development activities, such as cocoa farming, etc; close collaboration with local communities and authorities for better identification and reprimand of poaching events; conservation education, awareness raising and capacity building, particular within schools, etc.  Continual monitoring for evaluative purposes includes the scientific study of hunting pressure, wildlife abundance, local attitudes, etc.
StatusFinished
Effective start/end date1/07/1131/12/21
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