The extirpation of large mammals and implications for montane forest conservation: the case of the Kilum-Ijim Forest, North-west Province, Cameroon

  1. Maisels†,‡,
  2. Keming†,
  3. Kemei†,
  4. Toh†

Article first published online: 28 JUN 2008

DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-3008.2001.00204.x

Issue

Oryx

Oryx

Volume 35, Issue 4, pages 322–331, October 2001

Additional Information

How to Cite

Maisels, Keming, Kemei and Toh (2001), The extirpation of large mammals and implications for montane forest conservation: the case of the Kilum-Ijim Forest, North-west Province, Cameroon. Oryx, 35: 322–331. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-3008.2001.00204.x

Author Information

  1. 1 Kilum-Ijim Forest Project, BirdLife International, PO Box 119, Kumbo, Cameroon. E-mail: bomassa@uuplus.com. 2Kilum-Ijim Forest Project, BirdLife International, PO Box 119, Kumbo, Cameroon

  1. †

    Biographical sketches

    F. Maisels has been active in Central African conservation and research projects since 1988 in the forests of Gabon, Congo, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. She worked for the Kilum-Ijim Forest Project (BirdLife International) for 2 years as Project Ecologist and Conservation Advisor. Since early 1999 she has been Research Advisor for the Wildlife Conservation Society in the Nouabale-Ndoki National Park, a lowland forest in Northern Congo.

    E. Keming and the late M. Kemei were skilled hunters in the Kilum-Ijim area before being recruited as full time field staff by the Kilum-Ijim Project, and turned their considerable expertise to conservation fieldwork. C. Toh has also been a field technician with the Kilum-Ijim Forest Project for many years, and came from a background of post A-level language teaching. His education, his interest in the natural world and in conservation in particular have allowed him to become a valuable member of the biological team.

  2. ‡

    Present address: International Office, Africa Section, Wildlife Conservation Society/New York Zoological Society, 185th Street, Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460-1099, USA

* Maisels Kilum-Ijim Forest Project, BirdLife International, PO Box 119, Kumbo, Cameroon. E-mail: bomassa@uuplus.com. Present address: International Office, Africa Section, Wildlife Conservation Society/New York Zoological Society, 185th Street, Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460-1099, USA

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 28 JUN 2008
  2. Article first published online: 28 JUN 2008

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Keywords:

  • Bushmeat;
  • Cameroon;
  • extirpation;
  • Kilum-Ijim Forest;
  • mammals;
  • montane forest;
  • seed dispersal

A review was carried out of the mammalian fauna of the Kilum-Ijim forest in the mountains of north-west Cameroon. The purpose was to examine the loss of species, particularly of larger mammals, and the implications of this for forest ecology. Information was collected by direct observation, hunter interviews and a literature review. The forest is the largest remaining representative fragment of the West African montane forest habitat. Seventy-seven species of mammal have been recorded in the forest over the last 50 years. Most are small, especially rodents, bats and insectivores. Seven species are endemic to the Kilum-Ijim area. The process of species extirpation probably began over 100 years ago with the loss of the mega-fauna, possibly beginning with elephant Loxodonta africana (several generations ago), and certainly with buffalo Syncerus caffer (at least 20 years ago), and other large mammals. Remaining large mammal population densities are very low and many species are close to regional extinction. The long-term consequences of these extinctions is uncertain but, as many tree species are monkey- or ruminant-dispersed, severe ecosystem damage has probably already occurred. Human population density in the area is around 300 people per sq km, and no sustainable offtake of wild animals will ever be possible that would provide more than a few grams of meat per person per year from the forest. The protein requirements of the communities of the area will have to continue to be supplied from domesticated stock. Since 1987 the Kilum-Ijim Forest Project of BirdLife International has been working to conserve the remaining forest, using a community forestry approach in collaboration with traditional and local authorities and the government of Cameroon. The project is investigating ways to improve the production of domestic animals outside the forest boundary.

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