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Line 85: − Illegal logging is the most important threat to the park and has worsened since the withdrawal of funding by the European Union. CRNP is important for the protection of the catchment of the Cross river. As the human population grows, the demand for farmland is leading to encroachment in areas of the park previously considered inaccessible. Traditional exploitation of natural resources such as hunting, fishing and shifting cultivation, adversely impact the park (BirdLife International 2020).+ Line 88:
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Line 144: − |- − |5. Biological resource use − |5.4 Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources − |Present, but threat severity is unknown − | − |Fish stocks and aquatic life have declined as a result of water poisoning for fishing (Adetola & Adetoro 2014; BirdLife International 2020). − |Ongoing (2020) Line 215:
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Line 310: − + + + + − + − − [https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10708-020-10254-9 Tolerance factors in human-wildlife conflicts in protected areas: the case of Cross River National Park, Cross River State Nigeria]<br> − [https://www.scirp.org/html/11-2000385_55892.htm Hunting Intensity on Wildlife Population in Oban Sector of Cross River National Park]<br> − [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09709274.2012.11906513 The Role of Traditional Laws and Taboos in Wildlife Conservation in the Oban Hill Sector of Cross River National Park (CRNP), Nigeria]<br> Line 302:
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Cross River National Park (view source)
Revision as of 05:14, 28 September 2023
, 05:14, 28 September 2023no edit summary
= Summary = <!-- An overview of the site, with one sentence for each section. May include a site map -->
= Summary = <!-- An overview of the site, with one sentence for each section. May include a site map -->
<div style="float: right">
{{#display_map: height=200px | width=300px | scrollzoom=off | zoom=5 | layers= OpenStreetMap, OpenTopoMap
|5.579848, 8.748074~[[Cross River National Park]]~Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees & Cross river gorillas
}}
</div>
* Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees (''Pan troglodytes ellioti'') & Cross river gorillas (''Gorilla gorilla diehli'') are present in Cross River National Park.
* Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees (''Pan troglodytes ellioti'') & Cross river gorillas (''Gorilla gorilla diehli'') are present in Cross River National Park.
* The population sizes are unknown.
* The population sizes are unknown.
* The population trends are unknown.
* The population trends are unknown.
* The site has a total size of 4,000 km².
* The site has a total size of 3,640 km².
* Illegal logging and hunting are the most important threats to great apes in the park.
* Poaching and illegal logging are the primary threats to great apes in the park.
* Conservation activities have not been documented.
* Conservation activities have focused on reducing poaching by conducting patrols, removing snares, and providing sustainable alternative livelihoods e.g., snail farming.
= Site characteristics = <!-- A paragraph summary of physical and geographic aspects of the site, and a table of key information -->
= Site characteristics = <!-- A paragraph summary of physical and geographic aspects of the site, and a table of key information -->
Situated in southeast Nigeria, Cross River National Park (CRNP) was established in 1991 and is divided into two sections: the smaller Okwangwo Division (1,000 sq. km), and the larger Oban Division (3,000 sq. km). The sections are separated by about 50 km of disturbed forest (BirdLife International 2020). Over 350 species have been observed in the park, which is one of the most ornithologically diverse sites in Nigeria and is designated as an Important Bird Area (BirdLife International 2020). The Okwanwgo section is adjacent to Takamanda National Park in Cameroon; together they represent the most important area for the critically endangered Cross River Gorilla ([https://nigeria.wcs.org/wild-places/cross-river-np-okwangwo.aspx WCS]). Oban is contiguous with Korup National Park in Cameroon, and it is an important watershed, draining into the Cross river in the northern part, and Calabar, Kwa, and Korup rivers in the south (BirdLife International 2020). A total of 1,303 flowering plants, 141 lichens, and 56 moss species have so far been documented in Oban, making it remarkably rich in floral diversity. Both sections of CRNP are home to several mammal species, including forest elephants (''Loxodonta africana cyclotis''), Preuss's red colobus (''Procolobus preussi''), mandrills (''Mandrillus leucophaeus''), leopards (''Panthera pardus''), and Sclater's guenon (''Cercopithecus sclateri''), a Nigerian endemic (BirdLife International 2020). The contiguous Oban-Korup forest is famous for its rich butterfly diversity ([https://nigeria.wcs.org/wild-places/cross-river-np-oban.aspx WCS]).
Situated in southeast Nigeria, Cross River National Park (CRNP) was established in 1991. It is divided into two sections: the smaller Okwangwo division (640 sq. km), and the larger Oban division (about 3,000 sq. km) (Dunn et al. 2014, [https://nigeria.wcs.org/wild-places/cross-river-np-oban.aspx WCS]). Gorillas are known to occur in two areas of the Okwangwo division; the former Boshi Extension Forest Reserve (established in 1958 to protect gorillas), and the Okwa Hills in the central region of Okwangwo, bordering Cameroon’s Takamanda National Park to the west (Dunn et al. 2014).
Both sections of CRNP are home to several important species including Cross River gorillas and Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees, forest elephants, drills, Preuss’s guenons, leopards and the grey-necked rockfowl (Dunn et al. 2014, BirdLife International 2020). Over 350 species have been observed in the park, which is one of the most ornithologically diverse sites in Nigeria and is designated as an Important Bird Area. Oban is contiguous with Korup National Park in Cameroon, and it is an important watershed, draining into the Cross river in the northern part, and Calabar, Kwa, and Korup rivers in the south. A total of 1,303 flowering plants, 141 lichens, and 56 moss species have so far been documented in Oban, making it remarkably rich in floral diversity (BirdLife International 2020). The contiguous Oban-Korup forest is also famous for its rich butterfly diversity ([https://nigeria.wcs.org/wild-places/cross-river-np-oban.aspx WCS]).
'''Table 1. Basic site information for Cross River National Park'''
'''Table 1. Basic site information for Cross River National Park'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="basic-information"
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="basic-information"
| Area <!-- Please include units: km2/ha e.g 200ha -->
| Area <!-- Please include units: km2/ha e.g 200ha -->
|4,000 km²
|3,640 km²
|-
|-
|Coordinates
|Coordinates
= Ape status = <!--An overview of ape population status (population sizes, trends, etc.), followed by a table of specific surveys and results -->
= Ape status = <!--An overview of ape population status (population sizes, trends, etc.), followed by a table of specific surveys and results -->
The largest and most important area for Cross River gorillas is the transboundary area between the Okwangwo Division of CRNP and Takamanda National Park in Cameroon, which has been estimated to support approximately one-third of the known gorilla population (Dunn et al. 2014).
'''Table 2. Ape population estimates in Cross River National Park'''
'''Table 2. Ape population estimates in Cross River National Park'''
|Unknown
|Unknown
|Oates et al. 2007
|Oates et al. 2007
|
|
|-
|''Gorilla gorilla diehli''
|Unknown
|20-25
|
|
|Cross River National Park–Boshi Extension
|Index survey (reconnaissance walk)
|WCS as cited by Dunn et al. 2014
|
|
|
|
= Threats = <!-- a text overview of threats, followed by a table of key threats -->
= Threats = <!-- a text overview of threats, followed by a table of key threats -->
Nearly 30,000 people from at least 39 villages live along the edge of the Okwangwo Division of CRNP. The large villages of Okwa 1, Okwa 2 and Okwangwo are situated within the park, and the expansion of village farmland outside of their enclave boundaries threatens to fragment the forest and further isolate two gorilla subpopulations. Poaching in the park is still widespread and its montane forests on the edge of the Obudu Plateau are being affected by fire. There is also some agricultural encroachment by cocoa farmers on the edge of the park at Bashu, Obonyi and Mbuli, and illegal farming in the Boshi Forest (Dunn et al. 2014).
'''Table 3. Threats to apes in Cross River National Park'''
'''Table 3. Threats to apes in Cross River National Park'''
|Present, but threat severity is unknown
|Present, but threat severity is unknown
|
|
|A number of agricultural concessions for oil palm and pineapple were illegally awarded inside the park boundary ([https://nigeria.wcs.org/wild-places/cross-river-np-oban.aspx WCS]).
|Agricultural concessions for oil palm and pineapple were illegally awarded inside the park boundary ([https://nigeria.wcs.org/wild-places/cross-river-np-oban.aspx WCS]). Farmland expansion within the park (Dunn et al. 2014).
|Ongoing
|Ongoing (2014)
|-
|-
|3. Energy production & mining
|3. Energy production & mining
|High
|High
|
|
|Hunting is widespread in both sections of the park; as a result, the density of all large mammals is low (WCS; Adetola & Adetoro 2014).
|Joint patrols between CRNP rangers and WCS staff have destroyed numerous hunting camps and wire snares in the park, but poaching continues. The large numbers of snares in Okwangwo are a significant threat to the gorillas (Dunn et al. 2014).
|Ongoing (2014)
|Ongoing (2014)
|-
|-
|Present, but threat severity is unknown
|Present, but threat severity is unknown
|
|
|Collection of NTFPs such as bush mango is widespread and leads to the seasonal establishment of camps in the park (WCS; Adetola & Adetoro 2014).
|Collection of NTFPs such as bush mango is widespread and leads to the seasonal establishment of camps in the park that are also used by poachers (Dunn et al. 2014).
|Ongoing (2014)
|Ongoing (2014)
|-
|-
|Illegal logging has been described as a main threat. Timber is often floated out of the park along major rivers (WCS; Adetola & Adetoro 2014).
|Illegal logging has been described as a main threat. Timber is often floated out of the park along major rivers (WCS; Adetola & Adetoro 2014).
|Ongoing (2014)
|Ongoing (2014)
|-
|-
|6. Human intrusion & disturbance
|6. Human intrusion & disturbance
|-
|-
|5. Biological resource use
|5. Biological resource use
|Not reported
|5.15. Implement monitoring surveillance strategies (e.g. SMART) or use monitoring data to improve effectiveness of wildlife law enforcement patrols
|From 2009 on, monitoring using CyberTracker to record data on wildlife, threats and law enforcement action (Dunn et al. 2014). In 2016, SMART replaced CyberTracker to continue monitoring the park ([https://nigeria.wcs.org/wild-places/cross-river-np-okwangwo.aspx WCS]).
|Ongoing (2016)
|-
|
|5.9. Regularly de-activate/remove ground snares
|Dunn et al. 2014
|Ongoing (2014)
|-
|
|5.11. Provide training to anti-poaching ranger patrols
|WCS supports ranger training ([https://nigeria.wcs.org/wild-places/cross-river-np-okwangwo.aspx WCS]).
|Unknown
|-
|
|
|5.6. Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols
|Patrolling of the park and joint transboundary patrols of the Okwangwo division together with Takamanda National Park rangers (Dunn et al. 2014)
|Ongoing (2014)
|-
|
|
|5.17. Provide sustainable alternative livelihoods; establish fish- or domestic meat farms
|WCS has trained 25 hunters from around Okwangwo in bee keeping and the rearing of African giant snails in an attempt to provide them with an alternative source of income ([https://nigeria.wcs.org/wild-places/cross-river-np-okwangwo.aspx WCS]).
|Unknown
|-
|-
|6. Human intrusion & disturbance
|6. Human intrusion & disturbance
|-
|-
|10. Education & Awareness
|10. Education & Awareness
|Not reported
|10.5. Implement multimedia campaigns using theatre, film, print media, discussions
|
|Mobile film shows for raising conservation awareness ([https://nigeria.wcs.org/wild-places/cross-river-np-okwangwo.aspx]).
|
|Unknown
|-
|-
|11. Habitat Protection
|11. Habitat Protection
|Not reported
|11.2. Legally protect primate habitat
|
|The site is a national park.
|
|Ongoing (2023)
|-
|-
|12. Species Management
|12. Species Management
= Challenges = <!-- Overview of challenges in ape conservation -->
= Challenges = <!-- Overview of challenges in ape conservation -->
The expectations of local people were very high when the park was created and many people feel that the park has failed to provide promised development; in consequence, the levels of support for conservation are low, particularly in the enclaves (Dunn et al. 2014).
'''Table 5. Challenges reported for Cross River National Park'''
'''Table 5. Challenges reported for Cross River National Park'''
|-
|-
|Lack of trust and support from local communities
|Lack of trust and support from local communities
|Adetola & Adetoro 2014
|Adetola & Adetoro 2014, Dunn et al. 2014
|-
|Lack of a management plan and committee
|Dunn et al. 2014
|-
|-
|}
|}
= Research activities = <!-- Overview of research activities -->
= Research activities = <!-- Overview of research activities-->
[https://nigeria.wcs.org/wild-places/cross-river-np-oban.aspx WCS Cross River National Park, Oban Division]<br>
[https://nigeria.wcs.org/wild-places/cross-river-np-oban.aspx WCS Cross River National Park, Oban Division]<br>
[https://nigeria.wcs.org/wild-places/cross-river-np-okwangwo.aspx WCS Cross River National Park, Okwango Division]<br>
[https://nigeria.wcs.org/wild-places/cross-river-np-okwangwo.aspx WCS Cross River National Park, Okwango Division]<br>
= References =
= References =
Adetola, B.O. & Adetoro, A.O. (2014). Threats to biodiversity conservation in Cross River National Park, Nigeria. International Journal of Conservation Science, 5(4), 547-552.<br>
Adetola, B.O. & Adetoro, A.O. (2014). Threats to biodiversity conservation in Cross River National Park, Nigeria. International Journal of Conservation Science, 5(4), 547-552.<br>
BirdLife International (2020) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Cross River National Park (Oban Division). Retrieved from http://www.birdlife.org on 26/11/2020.<br>
BirdLife International (2020) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Cross River National Park (Oban Division). Retrieved from http://www.birdlife.org on 26/11/2020.<br>
Dunn, A., Bergl, R., Byler, D., Eben-Ebai, S., Etiendem, D. N., Fotso, R., ... & Williamson, E. A. (2014). Revised regional action plan for the conservation of the Cross River Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli) 2014–2019. IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group and Wildlife Conservation Society.<br>
Oates JF, Sunderland-Groves J, Bergl R, Dunn A, Nicholas A, Takang E, Omeni F, Imong I, Fotso R, Nkembi L & Williamson EA. (2007). Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of the Cross River Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli). Oates J F, Sunderland-Groves Jacqueline, Bergl Richard, Dunn Andrew, Nicholas Aaron, Takang Ebai, Omeni Fidelis, Imong Inaoyom, Fotso Roger, Nkembi Louis, Williamson Liz (ed.). IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group and Conservation International. <br>
Oates JF, Sunderland-Groves J, Bergl R, Dunn A, Nicholas A, Takang E, Omeni F, Imong I, Fotso R, Nkembi L & Williamson EA. (2007). Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of the Cross River Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli). Oates J F, Sunderland-Groves Jacqueline, Bergl Richard, Dunn Andrew, Nicholas Aaron, Takang Ebai, Omeni Fidelis, Imong Inaoyom, Fotso Roger, Nkembi Louis, Williamson Liz (ed.). IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group and Conservation International. <br>
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'''Page completed by: '''A.P.E.S. Wiki Team''' Date:''' 06/12/2020 <!-- If you don't want to add your name, you can add "A.P.E.S. Wiki team" -->
'''Page completed by: '''A.P.E.S. Wiki Team''' Date:''' 28/09/2023 <!-- If you don't want to add your name, you can add "A.P.E.S. Wiki team" -->