Volunteer to save Cross River gorillas and chimpanzees in South West Cameroon

Volunteer expedition to the Lebialem Highland rainforests of South West Cameroon saving Cross River Gorillas and Chimpanzees.

The Cross River gorilla could become extinct within 10 years, unless we act now. South West Cameroon harbours two of the most threatened African great apes: the critically endangered Cross River gorilla - the rarest of the gorilla sub-species with 250-300 individuals left in the wild - and the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee - also the most endangered chimpanzee subspecies in Africa. They are both keystone species in the montane forest ecosystems of the border region of Nigeria and Cameroon.

Volunteering on this conservation project in Cameroon will take you to work on the frontline of conservation, taking part in surveys of the montane rainforests - some of which have never been surveyed before - and in community education and awareness-raising activities.

Highlights

Helping to conserve Cross River Gorillas and chimpanzees; working with local staff; participating in great apes surveys; environmental education activities at primary and secondary schools; being immersed in the indigenous communities of the highland rainforest; meeting with local kings, chiefs, teachers and children; visiting Limbe Wildlife Centre; and experiencing this unique, authentic African rainforest expedition.

Activities

The expedition will focus on great apes surveys and education and awareness raising activities. Each survey period generally will last two-four weeks (with breaks every three-five days) - the sampling design of which will be established prior to the start of the surveys. Former local hunters have been employed by the project to serve as field guides. Your life during the surveys will be nomadic, breaking camp each day to move to the next site - with the help of field guides and porters. You'll cover steep slopes, sometimes making for extreme hiking and trekking, as you follow family groups of gorillas and chimpanzees. You'll look for animals and nest sites, signs of feeding and habitat use, documenting observations through photography and GPS coordinates. You may encounter other endangered primates and hundreds of bird species and other wildlife. The project language is English, and you'll receive field training in scientific survey techniques and GPS tracking and mapping.

Education and awareness raising will form a key part of this expedition. Changing the attitudes towards great apes and improving empathetic relationships between children and wildlife is a prerequisite to sustainable co-existence and the protection of apes.

What difference does this project make?

Identified threats to the survival of Cross River gorillas, chimpanzees and other primates in the Lebialem Highlands are agricultural encroachment (the conversion of forest habitats to farms and plantations), commercial logging, habitat and great ape population fragmentation due to settlements and roads, and most especially hunting, trapping and the illegal trade of bush meat. There is an urgent need to complete the assessment of the distribution of great apes as well as the threats and opportunities for their conservation. Currently the project is establishing the first community wildlife and forest reserves, conducting environmental education activities and setting up reforestation projects. The project is also developing income generating opportunities such as bushmeat farming with the local villagers, in order to curb bushmeat hunting and provide the villagers with a sustainable source of protein.

Qualifications Required

Expedition Members must be highly motivated and physically fit as the environment is very demanding. Some trekking and climbing experience would be an advantage. The local climate is hot and humid; temperatures are ranging from 25-40°C. It is important that expedition members can work as a team and assist the local staff in the daily tasks.

Skills gainedVolunteers should expect to gain exposure to current fieldwork and processes and the working methods of small independent NGOs. The focus is to provide volunteers with the opportunity to assist in research projects, great apes surveys and attend workshops and meetings with local communities and schools. Training will be provided in great apes surveys and biodiversity monitoring, use of GPS and navigation tools, data collection, and environmental education.

Costs

2 Weeks $1,650.00

4 Weeks $2,350.00

To reserve your place on this expedition, please send us an email (info@africanconservation.org) with your name and contact details (email), dates and duration of interest and we will send you an application form as soon as possible. 

For more information, video and images:
http://crossrivergorilla.org/index.php/volunteer