Oban hills forest.

Aims to improve the conservation status of the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee in the Oban Hills Cross River National Park through the following specific objectives:

Chimpanzee nest.

Determine the population status of the Nigerian-Cameroon chimpanzees in Oban Hills using guided reconnaissance method based on the line transect survey method (Kühl et al., 2008).

- Assess the threats to the chimpanzees and biodiversity in the Oban Hills

- Assess the local attitudes towards the chimpanzees and their habitat

- Based on this assessment develop and implement a conservation education campaign to improve levels of conservation awareness of the chimpanzee.

- Develop the knowledge, skills and abilities of the three team members, national park rangers and local people involved.

- Direct and Indirect survey methods will be used to determine the Population status of the Nigerian-Cameroon chimpanzees in the Oban Hills.

The direct survey method to be used is the guided reconnaissance “recce” walk which is based on the line Transect Survey Method (Kühl et al., 2008). This method will be used because the Oban Hills is a forest habitat with limited visibility. The indirect survey method will entail using cues indicating the presence of the chimpanzees because most primates are shy and elusive, This will be done along each recce transect taken and the following signs will be recorded; number chimpanzee's nests seen (Barnes et al.1995) and number of chimpanzee dung, feeding signs of the chimpanzees, calls (vocalization) of the chimpanzees

A threat assessment will be made by recording all signs of human disturbance along transect. The following signs will be recorded and used to produce encounter rates per km for each site; number of traps and snares seen, farm encroachments and other forms of anthropogenic activities. A simple questionnaire survey will be developed to determine local attitudes to conservation and awareness of the Nigerian-Cameroon chimpanzees.

Based on the results from this survey, educational campaign to raise levels of awareness will be done; a workshop will be carried out in key communities in close proximity to chimpanzee occurring areas of the National Park targeting young adults of hunting age and hunters. A fun education awareness programme will be organised for children of primary school age in such communities to improve their knowledge on biodiversity using the chimpanzee as a flagship species. A radio programme on the conservation status of the Nigerian-Cameroon chimpanzees will be recorded and broadcast on FM radio stations within the country.