Abstract
The Humid Forest Zones (HFZ) of Central Africa, have relatively been understudied in the area of their potentials as large mammals habitats. This is particularly true for forest elephants which are predominantly migratory across large ecological landscapes. This migratory phenomenon makes it difficult to state with certainty their status and habitat need in time and space that can help conservationist and policy makers to designate /classify a landscape as a large mammal (elephant) habitat. It was from this backdrop of uncertainty that this study on the Assessment of the Takamanda-Mone landscape as a potential forest habitat for the African forest elephant (Loxodonta africana cyclotis) in the South West Region of Cameroon was consecrated. The study in order to achieve set objectives, made use of Socio-economic surveys that involved the use of questionnaire, some selected Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools. Biological assessment techniques such as transects, poacher guided survey as well as the use of the Geographic Information System (GIS), techniques were employed for data collection and analysis. Results revealed that the Takamanda-Mone landscape is a potential forest habitat for the African forest elephant (Loxodonta africana cyclotis). Their presence and migration in and out of the study area is known to be affected by the two seasons (dry and wet) that prevail in the areas. Their presence was found to be more marked in the wet and low in the dry season. Results further revealed that evidences of the African forest elephants (Loxodonta africana cyclotis) presence in the study area ranged from physical encounters and observation of the animals, left over of crops destroyed, recorded vocalisations of the animals far-off villages, forest fruits devastation, fresh and old forest tracks, footprints, feeding signs, debarking and felling of trees to dung droppings. The evidence of direct encounter and observing the animals was strongly associated with the older population (40 years and above). Result also showed that during some of the direct encounters with the population, the African forest elephants were known to have killed about 10 persons and injured about 17persons over the past 25 years in the study area. Conclusively, the study area is a habitat for the African Forest elephant (Loxodonta africana cyclotis) and is being recommended to be designated as a habitat for the protection of species and other wildlife species.
Highlights
Some protected areas within the Humid Forest Zones (HFZ) of Central and West Africa are known in the light of their large mammal’s potentials and the uniqueness of the area’s ecology and ecosystems dynamics (Mboh & Warren, 2007; Sebogo, 2006; Whitehouse, 2002)
This is true for forest elephants which are predominantly migratory across large ecological landscapes. This migratory phenomenon makes it difficult to state with certainty their status and habitat need in time and space that can help conservationist and policy makers to designate /classify a landscape as a large mammal habitat. It was from this backdrop of uncertainty that this study on the Assessment of the Takamanda-Mone landscape as a potential forest habitat for the African forest elephant (Loxodonta africana cyclotis) in the South West Region of Cameroon was consecrated
Results further revealed that evidences of the African forest elephants (Loxodonta africana cyclotis) presence in the study area ranged from physical encounters and observation of the animals, left over of crops destroyed, recorded vocalisations of the animals far-off villages, forest fruits devastation, fresh and old forest tracks, footprints, feeding signs, debarking and felling of trees to dung droppings
Summary
Some protected areas within the Humid Forest Zones (HFZ) of Central and West Africa are known in the light of their large mammal’s potentials and the uniqueness of the area’s ecology and ecosystems dynamics (Mboh & Warren, 2007; Sebogo, 2006; Whitehouse, 2002) This is true for habitats such as the Zanga Zanga National Park in the Central African Republic, the Dja National Park in Cameroon and the Cross River National park in Nigeria for their large populations of the African forest elephant. Research organisations, NGOs and many other interested constituted cores have carried out research on the ecology, migratory patterns, human-elephant conflicts, genetics as well as the species conservation and management Among these are studies of Mboh and Warren (2007), Sunderland-Groves et al (2003) who studied the Large Mammals and the Biodiversity of the Takamanda-Mone Landscape of the South West Region of Cameroon. On the other hand, Nchanji and Plumetre (2003) evaluated the seed dispersal phenomenon and germination by the African forest elephant in the Bayang-Mbo Sanctuary of the South West Cameroon
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