Summary

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Site characteristics

Endemic and Endangered Species Great Apes: The site supports populations of endangered gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Their presence highlights the region's role as a critical habitat for great ape conservation. Other Notable Species: Includes elephants, duikers, buffaloes, pangolins, and several primate species like colobus monkeys and gray-cheeked mangabeys. Source: Wildlife inventories from 2015 and 2018 document these species and their densities. Ecological Importance Biodiversity Hotspot: UFA 10-064/ZIC 31 is part of the transboundary Sangha Trinational (TNS) landscape, known for its exceptional biodiversity and ecological significance. Habitat for Endangered Species: Provides critical habitat for species under threat from poaching and habitat loss. Carbon Storage: The dense subtropical/tropical moist lowland forest contributes significantly to carbon sequestration, combating climate change. Historical Background The region has been under conservation focus for over two decades, with the establishment of monitoring and management programs aimed at sustaining biodiversity. Management Units: Includes overlapping management regimes, such as forest management units and hunting zones, which require sustainable planning. Cultural Value Local Communities: Indigenous peoples and local communities utilize the forest for traditional practices and subsistence, including non-timber forest product collection and small-scale hunting. Sacred Sites: Some areas hold spiritual significance, enhancing the region's cultural value. Special Designations Part of TNS: UFA 10-064 is within the Sangha Trinational (TNS), a UNESCO World Heritage Site designated in 2012 for its outstanding universal value. Protected Status: Adjacent to Lobéké National Park, the site serves as a buffer zone that enhances the conservation of the park's core biodiversity. Threats and Conservation Challenges Human Activities: Illegal poaching, logging, and mining continue to threaten wildlife populations and habitats. Climate and Environmental Pressures: Increasing pressures from climate variability and human encroachment require urgent conservation action.

Table 1. Basic site information for UFA10-064_ZIC31

Species	Pan troglodytes troglodytes and Gorilla gorilla gorilla
Area	1159,17
Coordinates	Lat: 1.955004 , Lon: 15.927939
Type of site	Hunting Interest Zone
Habitat types	Subtropical/tropical moist lowland forest
Type of governance	Shared governance

IUCN habitat categories Site designations

Ape status

Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for UFA10-064_ZIC31

Species	Year	Abundance estimate (95% CI)	Density estimate [ind./ km²] (95% CI)	Encounter rate (nests/km)	Area	Method	Source	Comments
Pan troglodytes troglodytes	2018			0,28 ± 0,21	UFA10-064_ZIC31	Line transects & recces	WWF	In 2018, 47 transects were covered and with an effort of 94km was made.
Gorilla gorilla gorilla	2018	2270 [1378 – 3738]	2,70 [1,64 – 4,45]	3,79 ± 0,88	UFA10-064_ZIC31	Line transects & recces	WWF	The highest densities of great apes are found in ZIC 31. These increases in average values are due to the fact that great apes are not among the primary targets of poaching in the area. Additionally, they benefit from local customs and traditions that prohibit the consumption of gorilla and chimpanzee meat in the Lobéké area.
Pan troglodytes troglodytes	2015				UFA10-064_ZIC31	Line transects & recces	WWF	In 2014-2015 54 transects were covered with and effort of 147km
Gorilla gorilla gorilla	2015	2365 [1297-4312]	2,04 [1,12–3,72]		UFA10-064_ZIC31	Line transects & recces	WWF

Threats

Table 3. Threats to apes reported for UFA10-064_ZIC31

Category	Specific threats	Threat level	Description	Year of threat
5 Biological resource use	5.3 Logging & wood harvesting	High (more than 70% of population affected)	The presence of human activities, such as logging, threatens the integrity of forest habitats of the Lobeke landscape (Beukou et al. 2019).	2015-Ongoing (2018)
3 Energy production & mining	3.2 Mining & quarrying	High (more than 70% of population affected)	Mining on the periphery of the park destroys or disturbs the natural wildlife habitats (Beukou et al. 2019)	2002-Ongoing (2018)
5 Biological resource use	5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals	Medium (30-70% of population affected)	Presence of sport hunting on the periphery of the park does not respect sustainable management principles (Beukou et al. 2019).	2002-Ongoing (2018
5 Biological resource use	5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals	High (more than 70% of population affected)	The great apes population, 83.51% gorilla, increased not significantly in the study area between 2015 and 2018 due to the fact that they are not among the main poaching targets in the Lobeke landscape elaphants are the main target.	2015-Ongoing (2018)
12 Other threat	12.1 Other threat	High (more than 70% of population affected)	The illegal circulation of war weapons in the TNS landscape intensifies the high poaching of elephants for ivory trade as well as gorilla and chimpanzees although elephants remain the main target.	2002-Ongoing (2018)
1 Residential & commercial development	1.2 Commercial & industrial areas	High (more than 70% of population affected)	Logging on the periphery of the park, which destroy and/or disturb natural wildlife habitats. Four years have passed since the last wildlife inventory was carried out in 2014/2015,	2014-2015

IUCN Threats list

Conservation activities

Table 4. Conservation activities reported for UFA10-064_ZIC31

Category	Specific activity	Description	Implementing organization(s)	Year of activity
2 Counter-wildlife crime	2.11 Implement monitoring surveillance strategies (e.g., SMART) or use monitoring data to improve effectiveness of patrols	Conservation efforts in UFA 10-064 (ZIC 31) include wildlife population surveys using transect sampling methods to estimate densities of gorillas and chimpanzees. These efforts also assess habitat use, pressures from human activities, and the impact of conservation strategies. The surveys focus on understanding species distribution and the effects of poaching and habitat degradation. Surveys and monitoring efforts have been consistently conducted since at least 2002. The latest documented activities were reported in 2019.	WWF Cameroon - Jengi-TNS Program. Cameroon Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF). Local Community Assistants - Involved in monitoring and data collection. International Support - Financial and technical contributions from organizations like USFWS and FTNS.	2002-Ongoing (2019)

Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)

Challenges

Table 5. Challenges reported for UFA10-064_ZIC31

Challenges	Specific challenges	Source	Year(s)
3 Engaged community	3.1 General lack of community engagement or support	Beuko et al. 2019	2014-Ongoing (2019)

Enablers

Table 6. Enablers reported for UFA10-064_ZIC31

Enablers	Specific enablers	Source	Year(s)
3 Engaged community	3.2 Local taboos in favor of conservation	Beuko et al. 2019	2014-Ongoing (2019)
2 Resources and capacity	2.6 External partnerships that add expertise or resources	Beuko et al. 2019	2014-Ongoing (2019)
3 Engaged community	3.6 Local community engagement and support	Beuko et al. 2019	2014-Ongoing (2019)
4 Institutional support	4.2 Strong government support	Beuko et al. 2019	2014-Ongoing (2019)

Research activities

Wildlife Monitoring and Surveys Type of Research: Regular population monitoring of gorillas and chimpanzees, including density estimation, habitat use, and anthropogenic pressures. Organizations: WWF Cameroon (Jengi-TNS Program), Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF), and international collaborators such as USFWS and FTNS. Details: Studies focus on estimating population sizes, spatial distribution, and the effects of poaching and habitat degradation using methods like transect sampling and nest surveys.

Human-Wildlife Interaction Studies Type of Research: Assessment of human activities' impacts on great ape populations, including poaching, logging, and mining effects. Organizations: WWF Cameroon and local community assistants.

Details: These studies aim to inform management practices to mitigate human pressures and improve coexistence strategies. Environmental and Ecological Research

Type of Research: Surveys of biodiversity, including studies on the degradation rates of gorilla and chimpanzee nests and habitat mapping. Organizations: WWF Cameroon and academic partners. Details: Data collected contributes to understanding ecosystem health and species conservation needs. Beuko et al. 2019.

Documented behaviours

Table 7. Behaviours documented for UFA10-064_ZIC31

Behavior	Source
Nest-Building Behavior Behavior: Both gorillas and chimpanzees construct nests for resting, primarily observed at night. These nests are built in trees (chimpanzees) or on the ground (gorillas) using branches and leaves.	Beuko et al. 2019
Feeding Behavior Behavior: Gorillas and chimpanzees forage on a variety of fruits, leaves, and other plant materials. Feeding signs, such as discarded fruit parts and broken branches, were frequently documented.	Beuko et al. 2019
Social Grouping and Interaction Behavior: Evidence of group activity, such as multiple nests in proximity and vocalizations, indicates social interactions within gorilla troops and chimpanzee communities.	Beuko et al. 2019
Territorial and Vocal Communication Behavior: Vocalizations, including hoots, screams, and chest-beating (gorillas), were documented as part of communication and territorial displays.	Beuko et al. 2019

Exposure to climate change impacts

External links

Relevant datasets

References

Beukou B., Sombambo M., Nzooh Z., N’Goran K.P., Hessana D., Sebogo L. & Mengamenya A. (2019). Population dynamics of large and medium-sized mammals in the Cameroon segment of the Sangha Tri-National Landscape. MINFOF-WWF, Technical Report. Buckland, S. T., D. R. Anderson, K. P. Burnham, J. L. Laake, D. L. Borchers, and L. Thomas 2001. Introduction to Distance Sampling: Estimating abundance of biological populations. Oxford iMMUniversity Press, Oxford.

Page created by: Onella Mundi Date: 2024-11-27 09:30:00

UFA10-064 ZIC31

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