Community based conservation of great apes in non-protected areas of Cameroon
The commercial hunt for bush meat is an ever-increasing problem in Central Africa, and is recognised as being one of the biggest threats to the future of wild animals, especially large-bodied and slow-reproducing species such as elephants, gorillas and chimpanzees. The majority of populations of Central Africa's endangered species falls outside the boundaries of nationally-protected areas. In rural communities of the East Province of Cameroon poverty is striking, and the reliance on bush meat for both protein and income needs is very high. Increasing and uncontrolled human impacts on African forests and their resources are causing massive loss of habitat and degradation, thus contributing to a world-wide loss of ecosystems and reduced biodiversity. Any successful conservation strategies in areas such as this must be therefore simultaneously aware of the reality of the socio-economics of local rural communities.
Starting from the bonobo in-situ project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a few other studies were initiated dealing with different parts of the problem. Given the political condition in DRC, these projects had to be suspended. The total “package deal” was copied to Cameroon in 2000 and named Project Grand Singes (PGS). PGS is an Integrated Conservation and Development Project where the conservation and development objectives are mutually dependent. PGS offers a unique approach to conservation of great apes by bringing revenue to local communities through scientific tourism and through development projects at the community level, such as cocoa farming. The ultimate goal of PGS, the conservation of great apes, can be achieved through restricting the hunting of bush meat to consumption purposes only by helping to develop alternative sources of income and supporting the communities in the formulation and independent maintenance of a plan for the sustainable exploitation of the forest and its resources. The project therefore shares its important goals with a much broader programme of ensuring the conservation of great apes and the sustainable use and conservation of ecosystems, while simultaneously striving to reduce poverty in this badly afflicted region of Central Africa.
The total concept of PGS has served as a model for sustainable development and conservation projects elsewhere in Central Africa. Currently this concept is being applied on region 9 of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (USAID/CARPE), by Jef Dupain as the district coordinator. The PGS project is a perfect example of the science–based conservation in-situ mission of the Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp. It can be considered as a standard for other projects.
Objectives of PGS
- Protection of great apes in their natural habitat by sustainable hunting and scientific tourism
- To help stop poaching of protected species
- The development and increased livelihood of rural communities
- To provide alternatives to hunting
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-The local management, zoning and sustainable use of the forest and its resources
