Vol.1 No.3 August - September 2004WWF CARPO Newsletter

CARPO Bulletin

Vol.1 No.3 August - September 2004WWF CARPO Newsletter

People & Events

CD ROM presentation …

The CD-ROM entitled “JURIBASE ENVIRONNEMENT CAMEROUN” is the fruit of collaboration between the Centre for Environment and Development, CED, and WWF CARPO. Financed by the German Cooperation, BMZ, the CD ROM functions like an autonomous website with a search tool that makes surfing smooth.

This environmental legal tool is the first of a series planned by WWF CARPO for all countries of the Sub-region within the framework of the Convergence plan adopted by COMIFAC.

WWF puts management plan of Campo Ma’an National Park at final stage

Campo Ma’an National Park in the South of Cameroon is at the threshold of having its management plan validated. After field work and consultation at the local and divisional levels, WWF CARPO recently organized a workshop at national level for government officials, partners and stakeholders to finalise the document which will become a clean road map for the upkeep of the biological riches of the park and its peripheries.

Speaking at the occasion that took place end of August at the Yaounde Mvogt-Beti Zoological Garden, CARPO Regional Representative, Laurent Somé underlined the fact that “we have the obligation vis-à-vis present and future generations to safeguard the huge biological diversity in the sub-region… this must be done through the elaboration of management policies that favour sustainable use of natural resources.” The Representative lauded contributions and support from donors and partners such as Global Environment Facility, the Dutch Development Agency, SNV, Tropenbos International and the Foundation for Development in Cameroon, FEDEC, who together with WWF made this exploit possible. He laid emphasis on the success of the management plan in question given the extensive involvement of the local communities whose welfare is primordial.

Sitting in for the Minister of Environment and Forestry, the Secretary General, Amadi Ali paid homage to WWF work in Cameroon and reiterated government’s willingness to cooperate for the sake of natural resource management.

The Campo-Ma’an National Park is considered important to conservation primarily due to its highly biologically diversified coastal forest. Its extensive area of forested seashore enhances its importance as a protected area and is virtually the only protected area with unspoiled sand and rocky shoreline in Cameroon with reasonably high tourist value.

Campo-Ma’an is most important for its high diversity of plants and a significant population of elephants, the lowland gorilla, the chimpanzee, hippo, giant pangolin, black colobus, mandrill, and leopard. The avifauna is also rich and diverse.

When validated, it is hoped that the management plan will be a strategic document to orientate and regulate the protection and management of these natural resources.

Picture: Group photo of Campo Ma’an management plan validation team

WWF clarifies position on trophy hunting issue

A British newspaper, Mail on Sunday, in its edition of August 29th 2004, published a scathing story that paints a negative picture on WWF involvement in trophy hunting in South East Cameroon. A concerted effort between CARPO, WWF UK and WWF International took actions to set the facts correctly.

WWF recognizes that trophy hunting is controversial, however we believe that it can often bring much needed revenue for poor communities, as well as benefit species’ populations. In many instances it can deter poaching of animals, many of which are endangered. The revenue also ensures that the important work of monitoring, evaluation and supporting the survival of endangered species continues.

While WWF funds a few selected projects, most of our work involves offering solutions to governments and authorities on how to manage trophy hunting projects in a sustainable way, and with minimal impact on the species involved.

(In-depth analysis of trophy hunting in Cameroon will be published in up-coming issue of CARPO FOCUS)

40 indicted in Southeast Cameroon in last one year for poaching

The Yokadouma Magistrate’s Court in Southeast Cameroon has indicted a total of 40 people for poaching and related offences since October last year. Out of this number, 30 were convicted and sentenced to jail terms ranging from one month to 18 months; and fines ranging from 20,000 Frs.(Approx. 30 Euros) to 4.5 million Frs. CFA (Approx. 6.900 Euros). Other cases are still awaiting prosecution.

WWF CARPO is giving material and financial assistance to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry to support game rangers in key areas where biodiversity areas in the South East, Campo Ma’an and Northern Savannah. The programme too has been working with the legal department in Cameroon to build capacity and organize refresher courses in the area of environmental law.

CARPO Conservation Briefs

* Conservation experts from Cameroon and Gabon have been mapping out strategies to better handle what it takes to carry out trans-border conservation in the Mengame – Minkebe area. Given its technical role in the areas under consideration, WWF CARPO took active part in a workshop held August 12 aimed at laying groundwork for a joint conservation management mechanism. The experts examined strategies to reduce trans-border poaching while at the same time carrying out socio–economic assessments as well as biological studies of the area’s resources.

* WWF CARPO has produced its Annual Report covering the period between July 1st 2003, and June 30th 2004. The report celebrates WWF’s contribution to the promotion of biodiversity conservation, improved livelihoods for local communities, and good governance in environmental management in the central African sub-region five years into the holding of the landmark Yaoundé Summit of Heads of States. This reporting period also marks the third year of the construction of WWF’s Central Africa Regional Programme Office, and magnification of WWF’s successes in Gabon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic and Cameroon within one strong and resolute sub-regional programme.

* WWF Central African Regional Programme Office, CARPO, issued a press release (early August) hailing Wildlife rangers (also known as Eco-guards) operating around the Korup National Park, the Banyang-Mbo Sanctuary, Kupe-Muanenguba forest region and Mount Cameroon areas South West of Cameroon, for the valiant efforts they are making in anti-poaching drives aimed at not only protecting but also preserving the rich biodiversity of the region.WWF notes with satisfaction that the Wildlife rangers, working under the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, are showing courage, commitment and valour in protecting biodiversity with the support of forces of law and order to keep poachers abbey. The release calls on local communities around the Korup National Park, the Banyang-Mbo Sanctuary, Kupe-Muanenguba forest and Mount Cameroon to continue to collaborate with conservation agents in order to ensure that, use of renewable natural resources is sustainable and beneficial to everyone.

WWF CARPO recently received a subvention of 72 million FCFA from the Board of Directors of FFEM for the putting into place of a management plan for the Faro and Boumba Ndjida National Parks in the North of Cameroon. The Northern Savannah project is getting set to execute. Contact for more information: