Cameroon, often called 'Africa in miniature', lies just north of the equator on the west coast of Africa. It is a microcosm of the entire continent, exhibiting diverse climates, vegetation, and geography, including coasts, deserts, mountains, forests, and plains. Its cultural diversity rivals its natural diversity, with dozens of independent tribes and hundreds of linguistic groups.
Cameroon's rich biodiversity allows it to support 300 species of mammals and 900 species of birds. Reptiles are also well represented with a collection of snakes and lizards, while the rivers are home to populations of crocodiles.
Wildlife habitat in Cameroon has been threatened by over-logging and the expansion of agriculture. Many species of wildlife are endangered due to meat hunting by local people and poachers.
To preserve its wildlife, Cameroon has more than 20 protected reserves comprising national parks, zoos, forest reserves, and sanctuaries. The protected areas were first created in the northern region under the colonial administration in 1932; the first two reserves established were Mozogo Gokoro Reserve and the Bénoué Reserve, which was followed by the Waza Reserve on 24 March 1934.
The habitats of these species include the southern region comprising tropical lowland, coastline on the Gulf of Guinea, mangrove forests (270,000 hectares in size), montane forests and savannas in the northern region of the country.
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The topography of the country extends from the coastline to hill regions with elevations of up to 2,000 meters. The habitat consists of three regions: the dense rainforests in the southern region in the hot and humid climatic conditions; the central region of semi-deciduous forests; and the northern region consisting of semi-deciduous forests of wooded savanna with scattered trees.
The highest mountain in the country is Mount Cameroon with an elevation of 4,070 meters. The total forest area coverage is reported to be 238,623 hectares of which 171,090 hectares of closed forest and 65,000 hectares is fragmented forest or degraded forests accounting for 27 percent of the total forest area. The forests are also categorized as part of the "Congolian Coastal Forests, Western Congo Basin Forests, Sudanian Savannas, Sahelian Flooded Savannas, Gulf of Guinea Rivers and Crater Lakes, Guinean-Congolian Coast Mangroves, and Gulf of Guinea Marine Ecosystems."
One of the important regions is the Cameroonian Highlands forests which extends across the Cameroon Highlands, covering an area of 38,000 square kilometers in western Cameroon and eastern Nigeria. The ecoregion lies above 900 metres elevation, and is surrounded at lower elevations by the Cross-Sanaga-Bioko coastal forests at the southern end of the range, and by forest-savanna mosaic along the central and northern ends of the range; the Cameroon Highlands form the boundary between the Guinean and Northern Congolian forest-savanna mosaic ecoregions, consisting of sub-montane to montane forests and finally sub alpine grasslands.
Many protected areas are still in "pristine" condition, mostly because there is less tourism in Cameroon than other regions of Africa.
Notable Animal Species in Cameroon
Cameroon is home to a wide array of animal species, including some of the most iconic creatures of Africa.
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Lions (Panthera leo): These large cats are native to Africa and India. Lions are social animals who live in groups called prides, consisting of one - three males, a dozen or more lionesses who are mostly related, and the young. The lionesses are the hunters for the group, with the large male serving as the protector of the pride and its territory.
African Bush Elephant (Loxodonta africana): The African bush elephant is the largest living terrestrial animal and is distributed across 37 African countries. They are distinguished by their huge bodies, sturdy legs, thin tails, large rounded ears, long strong trunks, and ivory tusks.
Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius): The hippopotamus is a large semiaquatic mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of only two extant species in the family Hippopotamidae, the other being the Pygmy hippopotamus.
Leopard (Panthera pardus): The leopard is one of the five extant species in the genus Panthera, a member of the cat family, Felidae.
Common Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus): The Common warthog is a wild member of the pig family (Suidae) found in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus): The Nile crocodile is a large crocodilian that lives in freshwater habitats in Africa. There it is present in 26 countries.
Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes): The chimpanzee is a species of great ape native to the forest and savannah of tropical Africa.
Aardvark (Orycteropus afer): The aardvark is a medium-sized, burrowing, nocturnal mammal native to Africa. Unlike most other insectivores, it has a long pig-like snout, which is used to sniff out food.
Serval (Leptailurus serval): The serval is a wild cat native to Africa. It is rare in North Africa and the Sahel, but widespread in sub-Saharan countries, except rainforest regions.
Honey badger (Mellivora capensis): The Honey badger is a mammal widely distributed in Africa, Southwest Asia, and the Indian subcontinent.
Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta): A highly misunderstood animal, the Spotted hyena has the reputation of being cowardly and sly, but it is actually a fascinating and intelligent creature with a very interesting social system.
Mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx): The mandrill is a large Old World monkey native to west-central Africa. It is one of the most colorful mammals in the world and its closest living relative is the drill.
African buffalo (Syncerus caffer): African buffalo are large, heavy cow-like animals native to Africa.
Other species include:
- Caracal (Caracal caracal)
- Common Ostrich (Struthio camelus)
- Ball python (Python regius)
- Barn owl (Tyto alba)
- Grey heron (Ardea cinerea)
- Secretarybird (Sagittarius serpentarius)
Endangered Species and Conservation Efforts
Two of the most notable of Cameroons animal inhabitants are the lowland and Cross River gorillas. These majestic creatures are barely holding on despite noble efforts by a variety of international groups trying to assure their survival. The most endangered species is the Cross River gorilla, a great ape, whose last reported count was 300, spread over 11 scattered sites both in Cameroon and Nigeria. For preservation of this species of ape, the Kagwene Gorilla Sanctuary and the Takamanda National Park have been specifically established in Cameroon.
Besides the great gorillas, primate species are numerous and include chimpanzees, gibbons, baboons and a wide variety of lesser known monkeys such as bushbabys, swamp monkeys, tatapoins and quenons.
The ecoregion is home to several critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable species of animals. The critically endangered species are: Eisentraut's shrew (Crocidura eisentrauti) also endemic, pitch shrew (Crocidura picea) also endemic, and Rumpi mouse shrew (Myosorex rumpii) also endemic.
The endangered species are: arrogant shrew (Sylvisorex morio) also endemic, chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), crested genet (Genetta cristata), drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus), Eisentraut's mouse shrew (Myosorex eisentrauti). Eisentraut's striped mouse (Hybomys eisentrauti) also endemic, giant African water shrew (Potamogale velox), gorilla (Gorilla gorilla), Hartwig's soft-furred mouse (Praomys hartwigi), Mittendorf's striped grass mouse (Lemniscomys mittendorfi) also endemic, Mt.
The wildlife is under threat due to many factors. These are: conversion of forest land for agricultural use on account of their rich soil derived from volcanic rocks; pressure to meet firewood requirements; forest fires, particularly in grass land areas; the development of industrial complexes hydro-electric power plants and bauxite mining and forest land slotted for the purpose; as well as hunting.
Hunting is recorded in the cross border regions of Cameroon. Trading in bush meat is common in the Sangha River Region; bush meat trade is reported to be concurrent with the logging operations.
Many NGOs are working in Cameroon for the conservation and preservation of wild life. The Sangha Tri National Landscape. Conservation efforts in the Sangha River Tri-national Protected Area are in place in a trans-boundary program sponsored by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) with participation by the Central African Republic, the Congo and the Cameroon.
Ape Action Africa is one such non-profit NGO which was established in 1996 with the primary objective of conservation of endangered gorillas and chimpanzees, which are threatened by the bushmeat trade in Central and West Africa.
Here's a table summarizing some of the key endangered species in Cameroon:
| Species | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cross River Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli) | Critically Endangered | Only about 300 individuals remain |
| Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) | Endangered | Threatened by habitat loss and hunting |
| Drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus) | Endangered | Native to Cameroon and Nigeria |
| African Bush Elephant (Loxodonta africana) | Endangered | Populations threatened by poaching |
Appropriate actions are under implementation in respect of anti-poaching, research and the promotion of tourism to the rain forests (the mammal species of particular interest are elephants, apes, ranging from western lowland gorilla to chimpanzees and bongo). The three park-administrations and the prefects of the three countries meet often to ensure proper monitoring of the conservation activities.
Cameroon's commitment to preserving its rich wildlife is crucial for maintaining the biodiversity of the African continent. By addressing threats like habitat loss and poaching, and by supporting the work of conservation organizations, Cameroon can ensure that its natural treasures endure for future generations.
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