The action plan lays out a strategy for gorilla and chimpanzee conservation in Western Equatorial Africa. Protected areas alone hold only 21% of these great apes, further underlining the need for effective management and protection of large areas outside formally protected areas in order to maintain their populations. The total area of the 18 landscapes covers 51% of the range of these two taxa, but holds over 77% of the individual apes. The results produced 18 priority conservation landscapes, six of which were classified as being of exceptional priority as they each harbour more than 5% of the total number of great apes in the region (i.e., 5% of the global population of western lowland gorillas and central chimpanzees). Priority landscapes were then delineated using a decision support tool and a suite of criteria that included the presence of an existing or planned protected area and a great ape population of at least 2,000 individuals (gorillas and chimpanzees combined). Statistical modelling of these survey data was used to create predicted density maps for the entire geographic range of the sympatric western lowland gorillas and central chimpanzees. 2005), to develop a plan of action that will serve as a guide for range-state governments, donors and conservation organisations to target conservation investment in the region.Īll available survey data collected between 20 were compiled and used to verify, refine and re-assess priority areas for great ape conservation. These stakeholders assessed great ape conservation needs for the next 10 years, building on an action plan published in 2005 (Tutin et al. Conservation strategies and actions must be designed to respond to these pressures to maintain great ape populations at their present numbers.Ī new Action Plan (IUCN 2014) is the product of the second regional workshop on conservation planning for these two subspecies of great ape, which brought together senior representatives of the wildlife authorities in the six range states, protected area managers, NGOs, scientists, wildlife health experts, industry representatives and donors. More recently the forest itself has come under threat from the expansion of industrial agriculture, which will result in massive losses of great ape habitat unless rapid, targeted action is taken. These great apes are undergoing a dramatic decline due to poaching, disease and habitat loss, driven by demands for bushmeat, a lack of law enforcement, by corruption, and by increased access to their once-remote habitat. The Critically Endangered western lowland gorilla ( Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and the Endangered central chimpanzee ( Pan troglodytes troglodytes) inhabit the rainforests of the six countries listed above. When she isn’t writing or reading she loves to be active outside and planning the next adventure.Most of the world’s gorillas and about one-third of all chimpanzees live in Western Equatorial Africa: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of Congo and Angola (Cabinda enclave). This post is by guest contributor Maia Wikler, a Colorado College graduate with a passion for anthropology, human rights, travel and conservation. Together, Natural Habitat Adventures and WWF offer ecotourism trips in Uganda and Rwanda where tourists can trek into the rain forest and visit endangered wild mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.Ĭlick here to learn more about the WWF-NHA partnership. Ecotourism provides hope for protecting the future of endangered species like western lowland gorillas, as it generates funds for sustainable use of natural resources, wildlife protection and connects the local and global community to be stewards for conservation. WWF wrote in a recent statement, “The project employs over 80 eco-guards for continuous surveillance of the area and actively supports the sustainable use of natural resources.” The program is a major source of employment for locals and generates critical funding to strengthen the management of Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas in Central African Republic. The Primate Habituation Program works to conserve and habituate wild gorillas for research and human tourism.
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