Nkemnyi Standly Nkengbeza
Other projects
18 Mar 2021
Filling-in Knowledge Gaps of the Endangered Preuss’s Guenon, (Allochrocebus preussi), in Cameroon Proposed Ebo National Park in a Bid to Enhance its Conservation
18 Jan 2023
Saving the Endangered Preuss’s Guenon (Allochrocebus preussi) at the Brink of Extinction in the Ebo Forest, Cameroon
This project represents a continuation of our previous RSG (34451-1 and 37707-2) on the Endangered Preuss’s guenon in Cameroon’s Ebo forest, an area of high conservation value and a stronghold for this species. Findings from our surveys revealed the more important anthropogenic activities were documented in Ebo forest, the lower the chances of encountering Preuss’s guenon. Interviews with local people revealed this species raids crops, and poaching for food and income threatens the survival of Preuss’s guenon in Ebo forest (Nkengbeza et al. 2024). Information on population parameters of Preuss’s guenon is crucial for monitoring population trends and informing its protection in Ebo forest. To mitigate conflicts with Preuss’s guenon in the area, there is need to foster long-term co-existence between this species and local people, provide an in-depth understanding of how local people interact with Preuss’s guenon. It is important to empower local communities to advocate for sustainable hunting practices and conservation policies in the area. To reduce human pressure on Ebo forest, it is crucial to promote sustainable livelihoods options in the area.
Documenting hunting signs (spent gun shell) in the Ebo forest. ©Eric Ngansop.
This project aims to secure the long-term survival of the Endangered Preuss’s guenon from extirpation in the Ebo forest, a stronghold for this species in Cameroon and several other IUCN Redlist species but suffers from poaching pressure and other land-use changes. Specifically, this work will achieve the following outcomes:
- Document population parameters of Preuss’s guenon crucial for monitoring population trends and informing its protection in Ebo forest;
- Understand local perceptions for management strategies to reduce conflicts and enhance long-term co-existence between local people and Preuss’s guenon in the area of Ebo forest;
- Stimulate positive attitudes towards Preuss’s guenon conservation in the area of Ebo forest;
- Reduce human pressure for livelihoods on the Ebo forest by promoting agroforestry techniques and other conservation-friendly livelihood options in the area.
Knowledge generated will serve as baseline for continued monitoring of Preuss’s guenon in the area. This is essentially valuable for determining changes in current and future population trends and their drivers. Working in collaboration with local communities, we are confident we can foster long-lasting and positive mind-sets on Preuss’s guenon conservation the Ebo forest. Potential conflict management mechanisms between local people and Preuss’s guenon will help reduce crop damage in the area and promote sustainable co-existence. The introduction of sustainable agroforestry practices to local people around the Ebo forest and other friendly- conservation activities will also help to limit human pressure on forest resources such as bushmeat hunting.