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Monthly Report
April 2021
Limbe Wildlife Centre: April 2021 Cover page: Papa, an adult male chimpanzee, recently integrated the mainland group Published in May 2021 Limbe Wildlife Centre, P.O. Box 878, Limbe, Republic of Cameroon
Limbe Wildlife Centre is a collaborative effort between the Pandrillus Foundation and the Republic of Cameroon, Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife, MINFOF Pandrillus Foundation is a non-profit making NGO specialized in the protection, rehabilitation and reintroduction of primates, as well as management and sustainable financing of conservation projects in Africa Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife is in charge of implementing the national forest policy for ensuring sustainable management and conservation of wildlife and biodiversity over the national territory as enacted by forestry law No. 01/94 of 20 February which regulates all forestry, wildlife and fisheries activities
peggy@limbewildlife.org limbewildlifecentre
+237 698 87 7002 limbewildlife
ALL OUR REPORTS ARE AVAILABLE
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limbewildlife.org limbewildlife
Monthly Report
April 2021
Accreditations & Awards
In February 2018, the Limbe Wildlife Centre has had its accreditation with the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA) renewed for another five years. PASA is the largest association of wildlife centres and sanctuaries in Africa, founded by the Limbe Wildlife Centre, along with 6 other primate sanctuaries. Today, PASA includes 23 organizations in 13 countries that demonstrate exceptional commitment and the highest standards of animal welfare and conservation practices, to securing a future for Africa’s primates and their habitat.
In April 2018, the Limbe Wildlife Centre was voted Best Volunteer Abroad Project and chosen to feature in the Tutorful’s Wildlife Conservation editorial along with other prestigious organisations making a notable difference in wildlife conservation worldwide. The LWC gives people the chance to volunteer and assist experienced caregivers with the daily caregiving activities, offering the opportunity for volunteers to the experience of making a meaningful contribution to primate conservation (and all the satisfaction this provides).
In August 2019, the Limbe Wildlife Centre received a 2019 Clark R. Bavin Wildlife Law Enforcement Award at the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Geneva, Switzerland, in recognition of the remarkable efforts the LWC has made to help combat wildlife crime.
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Monthly Report
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Content
ACCREDITATIONS & AWARDS FOREWORD OUR PRIORITY FINANCIAL NEEDS COVID-19 UPDATE APRIL 2021 HIGHLIGHTS LWC’s SPECIAL SUPPORTER
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ACHIEVEMENTS APRIL 2021 & OBJECTIVES May 2021 1. Pandrillus-GoC Partnership & Public Relations 2. Population management & Animal welfare 3. Wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and release programme 4. Infrastructures and development| Material & Equipment 5. Community Conservation, Environmental education & Ecotourism 6. Wildlife conservation research & Health monitoring 7. Capacity building, staff empowerment & Mentorship 8. Communication & Visibility 9. Revenues generated
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Monthly Report
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Foreword
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY | PROJECT MANAGER Chimp, Shark, and Sun
Dear Friends and Supporters,
rehabilitation process is especially complex when it concerns adults.
Over the past years, our team has made outstanding progress in socializing and resocializing individuals and integrating them into groups, where they belong. This is the basic social structure for all our primate species, and the foundation of our work is to guarantee their standard of welfare. If one species is known for presenting more challenges than others, it would be the chimpanzee. The socialization and
This month, our team accomplished a milestone by completing 4 individual integrations: 3 into two groups of chimps (Nanga, Papa and Koto) and 1 in the group of Olive baboons. Two individuals, Mboppi (an adult female Olive baboon) and Koto (an adult male chimpanzee) returned into their groups after months of intensive medical care. Because the hierarchy in their groups had changed in their absence, their return required careful thought.
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Thanks to the huge experience of our team, the protocol was implemented carefully, with continuous monitoring allowing our team to take action if required. As the days passed, adjustments were made, until both Mboppi and Koto re-established relationships with each of the group members. We will keep monitoring for several weeks until we consider the group to be stable again. Until such stability is scientifically demonstrated, we will remain extremely vigilant. Overconfidence can mean missing details which could have dramatic consequences days after. Teamwork, sharp eyes and experience make the cocktail of skills required to make integration successful. The transfer of Nanga and Papa, two adult male chimpanzees, from the Island group to the Mainland group was another highly technical and stressful operation we are proud to report this month. After 3 months of familiarisation without direct contact and 2 months of step-by-step integration, both males have found their place in the group. Nanga, a younger yet more fearless and less diplomatic individual, has had to go through physical challenges with the other males and females. No major injuries occurred, but we will need extra caution to prevent any risk. Papa, conversely, used good politics to find his place peacefully, probably thinking ahead to climbing the hierarchical ladder over time. There are some key principles to consider when conducting such a difficult process.
1) The receiving group should be cohesive and stable; the hierarchy and each personality must be known; 2) the personality of the new individuals and their relationships must be well-known; 3) constant monitoring observation before, during and after the integration must be done following scientific protocol; 4) teamwork, consultation, and discussion are instrumental; 5) take time but do not slow the process unnecessarily: extra caution can increase the risk of failure, and 6) a well-evaluated risk must then be taken: no one can ever be 100% sure of how chimps will behave. Our role as caretakers is then to provide a safe environment, sufficient amount and quality of food, enrichments and presence without interference to facilitate the process. What happens in absence of caretakers also needs to be foreseen, as individuals behave differently in the presence of humans. Then, what happens there stays there! This month was sunny and we are proud and happy with our achievements. The multiple difficulties faced this month, the increasing threat of the second wave of COVID-19, and the consistent frustration of conservation resistance in the country cannot change that! As usual, we made good progress on several projects. Art4Nature, in partnership with artist Toh Bright and the UNESCO, is ongoing well, as is the maintenance of the gorilla night dens. An
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Monthly Report
April 2021
extra piece of good news is available on page 11, highlighting the success of Forbah Sandra Ngwemetoh, an ex-LWC volunteer, as a conservation leader. She sets an example to other Cameroonians as a pioneer in protecting the planet by local action. It is needed more than ever. Tragically, this month also saw a young 8-meter long rare and endangered (and therefore by law entirely protected species) whale shark butchered
by a crowd of people, in front of law enforcement representatives. Another dramatic scene that has repeated itself in the sad theatre of life. Thanks, Sandra for giving us hope. Thank you all, as ever, for your unfailing support.
Peggy Motsch Project manager
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Monthly Report
April 2021
Our priority financial needs 1. Help us protect our rescued animals during COVID-19! We must boost the immunity of 14 critically endangered gorillas, 43 endangered chimps, and 75 endangered Drills and upgrade biosecurity measures vs. COVID-19. 80000
COVID-19 updates in Cameroon The number of confirmed cases exceeded 70,000, with a constant increase of the number of new cases detected throughout April
Confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Cameroon (source: MINSANTE)
70000 60000 50000 40000
(Monthly increase: +52%).
30000
DONATE NOW TO PROTECT THEM FROM COVID-19!
20000 10000 0
Mar-20
Jun-20
Sep-20
Dec-20
Mar-21
2. Splitting the large gorilla enclosure To enable our gorillas to enjoy an enriched outdoor every day, take part in this amazing project and help us divide and re-enrich the largest enclosure with climbing structures and shelter to rest, hide and play. Goal: €25,000
RE-ENRICH THE GORILLAS ENCLOSURE HERE! 3. Construct new enclosures for our Guenons and Mangabeys! Our Mona monkey and Red-capped Mangabeys have reached maximum capacity, therefore they need more space, to increase group cohesion and individual well-being. Goal: €11,000
INCREASE THEIR LIVING SPACE NOW! Contact info@limbewildlife.org to know more
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April 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic trend is worsening in the country, starting what is now called the second wave. In April, an average of more than 4,000 new cases per week, compared to 1,000 new cases in January. In this context, the LWC strengthens its effort in making its staff understand the danger of the covid-19 virus for themselves, their families and the animals. Mask use in and out the Centre, hand washing protocols, bleaching of market fruits and vegetables… every action counts, and is reinforced, to avoid an outbreak at the Centre. But those precautionary measures, taken since 2020, represent an increase of 10% of our operational costs. This comes on top of our sponsors freezing their donations for the second year and the LWC being closed since March 2020. The result is that our budget is as low as ever. Today, it is essential to get funding quickly to ensure the safety of our animals. The goal is to boost the immune system of all the animals at the centre to ensure their survival, and to increase the hygiene and safety inside the centre but also for our staff and their families.
DONATE $5 OR MORE TODAY TO SUPPORT THE SAFETY OF OUR ANIMALS AND STAFF
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April 2021 Highlights
□ Completed the integration of two adult male chimpanzees (Nanga & Papa) into the Mainland Group □ Completed the re-integration of one adult male chimpanzee (Koto) into the Island Group □ Completed the re-integration of one adult female (Mboppi) back into her group □ Completed the data collection on the Mainland group to monitor the group cohesion and individual welfare before, during and after the integration of Papa & Nanga
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Sandra is a final year BSc student in Environmental Science at the University of Buea, South-West Cameroon and passionate about wildlife. She has been volunteering at the LWC whenever she has had time. In April 2021, she attended the Miss Environment Contest, an annual event by the International Centre for Environment Education and Community Development, to demonstrate the value and contribution of women in environment protection and sustainability, and took home the award for "The Best Biodiversity Conservation Project" “I have volunteered at the Limbe Wildlife Centre since 2019. I took part in cage cleaning, animal feeding, and preparation of enrichment for the animal wellbeing. I also participated in the African grey parrot rehabilitation program which entailed health checks, observation of quarantined parrots seized from illegal trade until their release. Today, I aspire to work in the field of nature conservation. My most wonderful experience at the LWC is the feeling of being a family both with the people and relating to the animals they seek to protect!”
Forbah Sandra Ngwemetoh
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Monthly Report
April 2021
Achievements April 2021 & Objectives May 2021 1. Pandrillus-GoC Partnership & Public Relations Funders □ None
May 2021 objectives □ Validate internal rules and regulations (pending) □ Review the proposal of the national strategy to rehabilitate and release the African grey parrots (pending)
2. Population management & Animal welfare Funders
Ongoing activities □ Maintained frequency and diversity of enrichments in each section □ Special Easter event: Distributed eggs to all the primates to celebrate Easter and give extra proteins to the animals. Specific activities □ Chimpanzee: Completed the integration of Papa and Nanga (two adult males) in the Mainland group (Image 1) □ Chimpanzee: Completed the re-integration of Koto (adult male) into the Island Group after 8 months of intensive daily cares, treatments, and enrichments to treat multi-abscess (Images 2-3) □ Mona Monkey: Transferred Edogue (adult female) from Saker’s group to Mantum’s group and started introduction with her new group (Image 4)
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April 2021
□ Olive Baboon: Completed the re-integration of Mboppi (adult female) into her group after 8 months of intensive daily cares, treatments, and enrichments to treat multi-abscess (Image 5) □ Red-capped Mangabey: water pressure machine cleaning of Eta’s enclosure and re-enriched the enclosure with new branches (Image 6) □ Vet cares (April 2021): o Boosting primate immune system during Covid-19: providing on daily basis vitamins, plants infusion, extra protein and other nutritional enrichment to all primates (Image 7) o Primates: 131 individuals treated; 4 anaesthesia performed; 11 individuals sampled (1 blood samples for haematology analysis, 1 blood samples for biochemistry analysis, 10 faecal samples for coprology analysis, 0 pus swab for microbiology analysis); 0 contraception; 0 identification with a microchip;
0
laceration
repairs;
100
drug
therapies:
61%
dietary
supplements, 12% expectorant, 11% antibiotics, 6% topical disinfectant, 5% anti-inflammatories, 5% others; 0 death (Image 8) o African grey parrots: 11 individuals received extra care and nutritional supplement to boost feather regrowth; 0 deaths
Image 1. Nanga (newly integrated); Pecus (dominant male); Papa (newly integrated) Integrating chimps into a new group is a complex process that requires thorough observation to understand the progress and detect a possible issue. In the first picture, dominant male Pecus ( )approaches Nanga, newly integrated ( ) to show his dominance over him. Nanga is stressed, and Papa, the second newly integrated ( ), to
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Monthly Report
April 2021
support Nanga, makes a gentle attempt to divert Pecus’s attention. But Pecus remains focused on Nanga and therefore Papa prefers to walk away to avoid the conflict. As a result, Nanga will have to face Pecus, submit to him and accept his dominance. The hierarchy is strengthened, which enables the group to stabilise. This process will repeat itself until each individual finds their place in the hierarchy.
Image 2. Dominant male TKC (right) and Image 3. Koto enjoyed getting back out in Koto (left) are having positive social the enclosure: he walked, foraged and interaction after 8 months of separation. interacted with the other individuals! Quickly, TKC accepted Koto back to the group.
Image 4. Edogue, a female adult Mona monkey (on the right), was transferred to Mantum’s group and placed in a satellite cage in a separate room to be progressively introduced. All individuals came rapidly to meet her and establish relationships
Image 5. Separated for several months for multi-abscess treatment, Mboppi is now back roaming in the baboon enclosure and enjoy walking, foraging and all social interactions with all the members of the group.
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Image 6. The Red-capped mangabeys enclosure is enriched every week with fresh branches, elephant stalk and some peanuts scattered everywhere on the ground.
Image 7. As the second wave of Covid-19 arrived in Cameroon, plant infusions are given to the great apes every other day to boost their immune system. We provide a wide variety of plants like ginger, hibiscus, turmeric and garlic.
Image 8a&b. An intervention was necessary on Nde, an adult male drill, because of a bacterial infection that spread and created a large opening on the left tight. Every day, the vet team changed his bandage, checked the condition of the wound and cleaned it for a quick recovery. May 2021 objectives: □ Continue with the ongoing activities □ Drills: Complete the integration of juvenile male Mbigou into the group □ Mandrills: Start the re-integration of adult male Nimbus to the group □ Mona monkeys: Complete the integration of adult female Edogue into Mantum’s group.
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□ African grey parrots: Continue to provide special care for the last individuals with difficulties improving their body conditions □ Vet cares: Contraception: Drills (3), Chimpanzees (3)
3. Wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and release programme Funders
Arrival & quarantine □ None
Behavioural rehabilitation □ None Social rehabilitation □ African grey parrot: Continued to maintain the care and enrichment to the 35 African grey parrots in the large aviary Release (ecological & environmental rehabilitation) □ Released 1 Black kite back into the wild (Images 9-10)
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April 2021
Image 9. Kisskiss, the black kite rescued in Image 10. After two weeks in the softFebruary was fully rehabilitated at the release aviary, the fully grown kite was Limbe Wildlife Centre and transferred early released in the Limbe Botanical Garden. April to the soft-release aviary in preparation for his release. May 2021 objectives: □ Continue the ongoing rehabilitation activities
4.Infrastructures and development| Material & Equipment Funders
Activities □ Western lowland gorilla: Started the maintenance of Gorilla group 2 night den (Images 11-13) □ Western lowland gorilla: Renovated the cement floor in all sections of the Gorilla group 1 night den (Images 14-16) □ Drill enclosure: Completed the maintenance of the structural enrichment in the Drill enclosure (Images 17-18)
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Image 11. View of some pipes damaged Image 12. Installation and welding of a by corrosion in Gorilla 2 night den. new pipe in Gorilla 2 night den.
Image 13a&b. Scrubbing with wire brush and start of anti-corrosion paint layering of the Gorilla 2 night den.
Image 14. Removing the old layer of the Image 15. Concreting of the new floor of cemented floor in Chella hall (Gorilla G1) Chella hall (Gorilla G1).
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April 2021
Image 16a&b. Smoothing the top layer of the new floor and final view of Chella hall (Gorilla G1).
Image 17. Leonard Geh and Kum Fernandez installing new bamboo bridges in the drill enclosure.
Image 18. View of the completed bamboo structural enrichments. This enrichment allows more vertical locomotion as well as noise for drill displays.
May 2021 objectives □ Finish the night dens maintenance of Gorilla Group 2 □ Start maintenance of the Guenons infrastructure □ Start maintenance of the Duikers enclosure
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Monthly Report
April 2021
5. Community Conservation, Environmental education & Ecotourism Funders
Activities □ School outreach programme: Continued the 2020-2021 programme: 6 schools, 22 classes and 908 school children; monthly efforts: 45 men.hours □ Saturday Nature Club: Postponed the 2020-2021 Nature Club □ Art4Nature: Continued to produce a series of animated videos, billboards, posters, and radio podcasts to promote forest ecosystem preservation. □ Green project: 51 community members benefited from the Community-based Green Economy; 15 ex-hunter members sustainably harvesting wild herbaceous plants: 738 kg of Aframomum stems and 358 kg of Costus stems; 36 women members harvesting crop by-product: 622 kg of cassava leaves, 4,542 kg of papaya leaves, 2,661 kg of potato leaves, 230 kg of invasive Trumpet wood shoots, corresponding to 52 trees hand-cut; 949,030 FCFA (€1,449) paid directly to the local community association this month; 3,548,010 FCFA (€5,417) contributed to alleviate local poverty in 2021
May 2021 objectives □ Continue with ongoing programs
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Monthly Report
April 2021
6. Wildlife conservation research & Health monitoring Ongoing activities □ Recovery monitoring of the rescued endangered African grey parrots: Continued to collect data during health checks and through direct observation □ Monitoring the soft-release of endangered African grey parrot: Continued the collection of daily data on the parrot movement and use of the environment □ Establishing Haematological Reference Values for the endangered Drill: Continued to build the dataset of haematological data extracted from 18 years of analysis (2002-2019), corresponding to 199 samples, and including a total
of 21
haematological parameters. Achieved activities □ Behavioural monitoring of the endangered Chimpanzees: Completed the Mainland group cohesion and individual welfare social integration of Papa & Nanga.
May 2021 objectives □ Continue with the above ongoing activities
7. Capacity building, staff empowerment & Mentorship □ Continue to strengthen the capacity of our security officers: continuing security training to teach the basics of night patrolling, vigilance and self-defence □ Pandrillus Cameroon was invited to participate in a 3-days workshop at the Limbe Botanical Garden organised by Integrated Conservation Education Centre (ICEC) (Images 19-20) □ Mentorship: Our Vet team provided emergency assistance to a severely injured Chimpanzee at Papaye France, Littoral region and our Head of Construction provided technical advice for the construction of the new nursery.
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Image 19. The venue of the workshop in the Integrated Conservation Education Centre in the Limbe Botanical garden, was skillfully decorated with beautiful murals painted by local artists, the hall gathers multiple interactive boards about Cameroonian flag species, adapted for children entertainment and education.
Image 20. Wilson Ateh, Alvin Muma and Yvette Soukoudjou all participated in the workshop regarding natural resources management. They shared their experience with the other participants.
May 2021 objectives □ Continue with the above ongoing activities □ Training: 2-weeks training of the LWC staff in First Aid Emergency Care □ Staff workshop: Presentation of the project to splitting gorilla enclosure by Vallarine Aforlica, Head of Construction (postponed)
8. Communication & Visibility □ Digital communication (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter): The LWC YouTube channel has shown great improvement this month with a 52.9% increase in reach and 68.2% in views. Overall across all four platforms, we gained a total of 267 followers, adding to a total of 28,921 supporters. □ Media coverage: 1 online article made ● Online report: Cameroon: Recurrent fighting further endangers country’s wildlife resources, JournalDuCameroun.com, 22nd of April 2021
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May 2021 objectives: □ Continue advocating the missions of the LWC within the Central African Conservation Landscape in Cameroon
9. Revenues generated □ Entrance fees (April 2021): FCFA 0 (0 visitors; 0% children, 0% Cameroonians) due to the closure of the Limbe Wildlife Centre to visitors 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 Apr-20 May-20 Jun-20 Adult Nationals
Jul-20 Aug-20 Sep-20 Oct-20 Nov-20 Dec-20 Jan-21 Feb-21 Mar-21 Apr-21 Children Nationals
Adult Foreigners
Children Foreigners
Figure 1. Visitor statistics April 2020 - April 2021
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