FOREWORD

Dear Friends and Supporters,

In 2018, we elevated the project to the next level to increase our conservation impact. There is still much progress to be made and work to do, but our team continues to

exhibit a great enthusiasm and work ethic. This is despite an increasingly complex political situation due to the socio-political and economic crisis and the elections held

in October 2018. During this period, the crisis in Cameroon reached an

unprecedented level. The situation has affected our activities, and we have

responded by directing an even greater focus and dedication towards the welfare

and safety of our wildlife in rehabilitation. Even though the climate was very tense, the LWC team pulled together to ensure the daily procedures were prioritised. This is what it takes and what the LWC stands for: to be here for the animals no matter

the situation, as far as it is possible, and beyond! We have completed several major projects aimed at consolidating and professionalizing our activities within the Limbe Wildlife Centre. We are now in a

position to diversify and expand our efforts.

Animal Welfare

Firstly, we successfully integrated most of the quarantined individuals into our existing groups. As a result, most of our quarantine cages became free. We could, therefore, provide additional special care to individuals in need and planned some maintenance and development work in our vet clinic/ quarantine complex.

Secondly, major enrichment and animal infrastructure projects were achieved. These include: 1) the completion of the new savannah-dwelling guenon enclosure and three-in-one metal enrichment in the

Chimpanzee Island 2) the complete maintenance of the big Quarantine cage 3) the complete maintenance of the Agile and Red-capped mangabey enclosures, and 4) the renovation of the two-levels climbing structure. 5) We also re-adjusted the prototype of a metal tree and full reenrichment of the Drill enclosure.

Finally, three adult Chimpanzees (Jackie, Utah and Mungo) confiscated by the law enforcement authorities in recent months

and rescued by the Limbe Wildlife Centre. These Chimpanzees were transferred to other high standard sanctuaries: Ape Action Africa (AAA) and Sanaga Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center (SYCRC). There, they will be provided with lifetime care in a forested enclosure.

Gorilla Rescue & Rehabilitation

Similarly, we rescued an infant gorilla, Bobga, from the East region, who will be transferred in 2019 to Ape Action Africa. Given the limited capacity of Cameroon to providing a high quality of life care to primates, especially gorillas and chimpanzees, saved from poaching and trafficking, support is given by the three high-standard sanctuary partners (LWC, AAA and SYCRC). This united front advises the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF) on how to better manage the captive population of rescued individuals at a national scale. It is critical that each

rescued individual is placed where the best conditions will be, as quickly as possible; in order to provide him with the necessary care. This is not only to ensure the best standard for each individual’s personal well-being but also to ensure the optimal functioning of each structure. In this context, Limbe Wildlife Centre, the

smallest of the three structures, has been

supporting wildlife law enforcement. Together with the MINFOF and partners, especially LAGA, we assisted with confiscation, implemented quarantine procedures, performed health checks and aided the first steps of rehabilitation. During this critical period, a team of specialized animal carers consistently work on reducing the stress resulting from the act of poaching, transport and abuse. They also work on building the trust in humans, on stimulating natural skills, and on preparing the individual to later integrate a social group. This achievement was only made possible because of the excellent collaboration

between all stakeholders. This enables us

to develop the best plan to manage the population of rescued primates at the national scale: this unique configuration among all African countries has proved a great opportunity for Cameroon.

Strategic orientation

We also worked on enlarging our area of intervention. Our main goal is to prospect

forest sites in protected areas for the potential transfer of part of the population taken care at the Limbe Wildlife Centre.

This would increase our capacity to rescue more individuals and enable more

confiscations to occur. On the other hand,

the natural enclosure that will serve to

complete the primates’ socio-ecological rehabilitation will also contribute to

sustaining the strategic plan of the chosen protected area, by engaging the community through new livelihoods activities and education. This will also contribute to the

development of eco-touristic activities. In our long-term vision, the Limbe Wildlife Centre serves as a national rescue and

rehabilitation centre for immediate

intervention through to mid-term care. We always have the goal for stabilized individuals and groups to be transferred back to their area of origin in protected areas, under strong management, close monitoring and protection. While this

programme will serve national

conservation strategies, it will also greatly help make the LWC more functional and financially sustainable.

GoC-Pandrillus partnerships

To materialise our goals, I met with the Minister of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF), Mr Ndongo Jules Doret, the Secretary of State to the MINFOF, Ms Koulsoumi Alhadji Boukar, the Director of Wildlife and Protected Areas, Mr Joseph Lekealem and Sub-directors. Here, I

presented Pandrillus vision for the next 10 years.This included our support to the GoC to ensure the best standard of animal

welfare; to develop prospection and reintroduction projects, all while upgrading education and communitybased programmes. I also met with several key stakeholders from the private sector, governmental institutions, and civil society organisations in Campo Ma’an National Park (South Region). In Faro National Park (North Region), I also met with the Conservator of the Garoua Zoo and the Directorate of the

Garoua Wildlife School in order to start

making new connections and share ideas. The years to come should provide more concrete elements on the feasibility of reintroduction programmes. Pandrillus will sponsor fieldwork in the Mount Cameroon National Park and Campo Ma’an National Park in collaboration with the

MINFOF and their local partners.

Outreach programmes

For more than 10 years, the LWC has built strong relationships with the neighbouring communities and community leaders of Batoke, located in the Southern part of the Mount Cameroun National Park. Through the Green project (reports available: 201718and 2018-19), we have supported them to maintain (or offer) their livelihoods. In 2018, we strengthened our relationship and started the Batoke Family Nature Club. The two first sessions (out of 8) were organised. Each month, different themes pertaining to environmental protection are

studied and debated. This enables each

community member to appreciate the value of nature, to be aware of the threats

and to possess the basics skills to better understand nature, thus acting to protect it on a daily basis. In Yaoundé, we co-organized and participated in a debate on the theme of Conservation and Protection of Primates in

Cameroon, at the Institut Francais du

Cameroun. This debate involved various

stakeholders,

including Sekakoh (environmental organisation monitoring and protect wildlife), LAGA (wildlife law enforcement NGO) and the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife. Our skills were also exported, as the LWC, through Pandrillus, helped another member of the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance in Guinea (Chimpanzee Conservation Centre) to build an escapeproof chimp enclosure. Overall, we believe it is critical that further

ties are built, at all possible geographic scales, between the actors engaged to protect wildlife and nature as a whole. All these activities led by Pandrillus, in partnership with the MINFOF and other partners,follow this philosophy.

Goals for next year

In 2019, we will invest more time on

prospecting site and assess their suitability for transferring wildlife rehabilitated at the Limbe Wildlife Centre. In the meantime, we

will professionalize our education

department, upgrade content, and redouble our efforts to instigate a change of behaviour in the community. This crucially hinges on increased engagement: our engagement with the community, and the community’s engagement in their local ecology.

On behalf of the Limbe Wildlife Centre, we

thank you sincerely for your unfailing

support.

With very best wishes,

Limbe, 30 August 2019

Guillaume LE FLOHIC

Country Director, Pandrillus Foundation