Conservation

Our Great Apes Conservation Programme works to secure long-term survival for Cross River Gorillas and Nigeria-Cameroon Chimpanzees by protecting their habitats and empowering local communities.

We focus on:

  • Monitoring and protecting great ape populations through surveys, ranger patrols, and research.
  • Protecting and restoring rainforest habitats.
  • Strengthening local capacity through training and equipment for rangers and communities.
  • Establishing new protected areas and connecting them via wildlife corridors.
  • Supporting sustainable livelihoods through regenerative agriculture and community initiatives.
  • Raising awareness with environmental education locally, nationally, and internationally.

Your support enables us to continue this vital work and make a real difference in conserving these critically endangered species and the forests they depend on.

Community-led conservation (Photo: Arend de Haas / ACF)

Our Impact

Since 2004, our programme has:

  • Created and managed Tofala Hill Wildlife Sanctuary (THWS).
  • Established Community Forests in the Tofala-Mone Rainforest Corridor.
  • Trained and equipped government and community rangers to protect great apes from conservation threats.
  • Supported sustainable livelihoods and rural economic development.
  • Launched the Forest Protection Fund and strengthened community cooperatives like the Lower Mundani Farmers Cooperative Society.
  • Developed a comprehensive environmental education programme.

Major successes include:

  • Mapping and proposing a new system of protected areas in the Lebialem Highlands.
  • Setting up bio-monitoring systems with camera traps in key sites for gorillas and chimpanzees.
  • Creating and strengthening community management structures around Tofala Hill Wildlife Sanctuary.
  • Conducting biodiversity and land-use assessments across the Lebialem-Mone Forest Landscape.
  • Launching livelihood and economic development initiatives for local communities.
  • Raising public and state awareness for long-term great ape conservation.

With your help, we can continue protecting these magnificent species and the ecosystems they call home.