Activities and preliminary results of PRACOND research in Kom-Wum Forest Reserve
1. PRACOND is monitoring the population status of the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee, other mammals and birds species in Kom-Wum forest Reserve.
The Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee (Pan troglodyte ellioti)
The Nigeria-Cameroon Chimpanzee (Pan troglodyte ellioti) is the most threatened chimpanzee subspecies. It has a total population of fewer than 6000 individuals remaining in the wild and a geographical range restricted to Cameroon and Nigeria (Morgan et al. 2011). However, hunting and habitat destruction is still a significant threat to its survival in Kom-Wum Forest Reserve. The IUCN status is Endangered and is integrally protected (Class A) in Cameroon.
First footage ever of the Endangered Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee (Pan troglodyte ellioti) in Kom-Wum Forest Reserve ©Fotang Chefor
For the first time, the rare to find Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee was captured on camera traps in Kom-Wum Forest Reserve by PRACOND researchers. Chimpanzees were seen five times in this reserve. The maximum group directly observe was made up of ten chimpanzees while wildlife camera traps photographed 11 footages and a maximum a group size with at least nine chimpanzees in 2018. This rare footage may convince the government of Cameroon to change the protection status of the reserve into a chimpanzee sanctuary.
The Olive baboon (Papio anubis)
The olive baboons were seen many times and were captured on camera trap in Kom-Wum Forest Reserve. The IUCN status is Least Concerned and partially is protected (Class C) in Cameroon.
Left. A female baboon (Papio anubis) observing a camera trap in Kom-Wum Forest Reserve. ©Fotang Chefor. Right: A female baboon with a young. ©Fotang Chefor.
More than 14 groups of the Putty-nosed monkeys (Cercopithecus nictitans ludio) have been seen in Kom-Wum forest Reserve. In several occasion, they were found in a mixed group with Mona monkeys (Cercopithecus mona) and on two events Nigeria Cameroon chimpanzee.
2. PRACOND is verifying and confirming important birdlife in Kom-Wum Forest Reserve.
Black-casqued wattled hornbill and Great Blue Turaco
The presence of the Black-casqued wattled hornbill (Corythaeola cristata; LC) and Great Blue Turaco (Corythaeola cristata, LC) has been confirmed in our research in Kom-Wum Forest reserve. Both species have been seen several times reserve, and they are still hunted for meat by the locals.
Great Blue Turaco (Corythaeola cristata) in Kom Wum forest reserve ©Fotang Chefor. The IUCN status is Least concern and is partially protected (Class B) in Cameroon.
Female Black-casqued wattled hornbill (Ceratogymna atrata) in Kom-Wum Forest Reserve©Fotang Chefor. The IUCN status is Vulnerable and partially protected in Cameroon (Class C)
3. Nesting ecology of chimpanzees in Kom-Wum Forest Reserve.
The Nigeria-Cameroon Cameroon build both tree and ground nests in Kom-Wum Forest Reserve. PRACOND researchers also encountered ground day nests and tree day nest in reserve. More than ten ground nests night nest were recorded during PRACOND surveys in 2018 which shows that the chimpanzees feel save in this site as compared to other reserves in the region.
Fresh ground nest(left) and tree nest (right) chimpanzee in Kom-Wum Forest Reserve. ©Fotang Chefor
PRACOND researcher measures the slope of under a nesting tree in Kom-Wum Forest Reserve(left). The principal investigator is searching for hair in chimpanzee ground nest in Kom -Wum Forest reserve (right).
PRACOND researcher measures the slope of under a nesting tree in Kom-Wum Forest Reserve(left). The principal investigator is searching for hair in chimpanzee ground nest in Kom -Wum Forest reserve(right).
4. Studying the diet of Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee in Kom-Wum Forest reserve
Chimpanzee faeces encountered in Kom-Wum Forest Reserve dominated by fruit seeds©Fotang Chefor
5. Monitoring medium-to-large mammals wildlife species using camera trapping
PRACOND researcher installing wildlife camera trap with a community eco-guard( left). Field materials(right) ©Mvo Denis.
6. Conservation education, awareness programs, and sensitisation meetings on sustainable exploitation practices in local communities.
PRACOND researcher doing sensitisation on important wildlife with locals in communities living around Kom-Wum Forest Reserve©Mvo Denis.