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Monthly Report
November 2021
Limbe Wildlife Centre: November 2021 Cover page: Jonathan Kang monitors the western lowland gorillas in their newly redesigned enclosures Published in December 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
November 2021
Accreditations & Awards
In November 2018, the Limbe Wildlife Centre 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 to securing a future for Africa’s primates and their habitat and implement the highest standards of animal welfare and conservation practices. 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 have 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
November 2021
Content
ACCREDITATIONS & AWARDS FOREWORD OUR PRIORITY FINANCIAL NEEDS EMMERGENCY NOVEMBER 2021 HIGHLIGHTS LWC’s SPECIAL PARTNER
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ACHIEVEMENTS NOVEMBER 2021 & OBJECTIVES DECEMBER 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 Gorillas finally get their redesign & re-enriched enclosure
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Unfortunately, space at the LWC is limited and, in lieu of alternative solution to release some individuals back into the wild or semiwild enclosures, we had to find ways to best use our environment. Initiated in 2019 by a thorough behavioural study aimed at assessing stress levels, group cohesion, daily procedures and the use of the space in the enclosure by each group, we designed the best possible two sub-enclosures to enable more individuals to go out from their night den every day. The construction project was a great challenge as it required keeping the gorillas indoor for several weeks until the first enclosure was finished. In total, the splitting project lasted for 3 months, which would
We wish for you all to stay healthy, warm, and safe. I am thrilled to announce that the splitting of the gorilla enclosure is finally achieved! This is a major success for the Limbe Wildlife Centre and rewards more than 5 years of hard work to improve the cohesion among the 4 groups of gorillas. Over the last 5 years, we have created new female/male pairings and found new solutions to stress behaviours. This, together with improvements to the diet, enrichment, daily care and observation and vet procedures has dramatically improved the welfare of our 14 individuals.
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Monthly Report
November 2021
have been far longer were it not for the commitment of our whole team. The two groups have not yet been released together but have been successively accustomed to their new environment to limit stress and the risk of fight between groups. Following such a plan it is always essential to prevent mistakes: we take our time, observe and consult the team to ensure the welfare of the animals is not put to any unnecessary risk. A big thank you to all the team members but also to all our fabulous supporters who made it possible! Thanks to you, the life of our gorillas has improved and our staff will more easily perform the daily cleaning of the night den, hence reducing workload, stress and risk of accident. Instead, we will have more time to observe each individual and provide enrichment. In the longer term, we hope to transfer some individuals to a semi-wild enclosure, provided that funding and capacities will be available. Under no circumstances would we degrade the welfare of the animals under our care. Similarly, we continued to integrate several individuals into groups and rescued a second infant in two months. After Ekema,
the infant male Mandrill last month, Malika, an infant female drill was rescued after an operation successfully conducted by the MINFOF with support from LAGA. It is planned to have them form a pair as soon as their health checks provide evidence that neither would pose a health risk to the other. In the meantime, our team keeps spending time with them individually and implementing the behavioural rehabilitation process successfully. Finally, this month saw our participation in several educational and public events, both in Limbe and Kribi, in the south region. Our partnership with AMMCO keeps strengthening and we were happy to respond to their invitation to participate, along with the MINFOF representatives and other major conservation NGOs to the Street Whale event. It also provided us with very interesting ideas that we hope we could replicate in Limbe as well, to help promote the conservation of Cameroon’s unique wildlife, be they from the ocean or the land Thank you all, as ever, for your unfailing support. Stay safe and healthy! Peggy Motsch Project Manager
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Monthly Report
November 2021
Our priority financial needs 1. Help us protect our rescued animals during COVID-19! 120000
COVID-19 updates in Cameroon The number of confirmed cases reaching more than 106,794, with a marked increase in number of new cases detected throughout November (Monthly increase: +4%).
100000 80000 60000 40000 20000
The virus still circulates in the community and caution must be maintained
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DONATE NOW TO PROTECT THEM FROM COVID-19! We must continue to boost the immunity of 14 critically endangered gorillas, 41 endangered chimps, and 65 endangered Drills and maintain biosecurity measures vs. COVID-19.
2. 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!
3. Post release monitoring for the African greys parrots! Design, test, and validate a post-release monitoring method using GPS tags and start studying released birds’ habitat and space use. Goal: €10,000
INCREASE CONSERVATION EFFORTS!
Contact info@limbewildlife.org to know more
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Monthly Report
November 2021
NEW PUTTY NOSED MONKEY ENCLOSURE! Today we are counting on your support to help our Putty Nosed Monkeys! Recently, tensions within the group have increased and led to serious fights among the individuals. The older male, Zulu, with support from the dominant females, has indeed been submitting young male, Tanyi, his challenger. However, this has resulted in wounds and it occurred, after thorough observations that we urgently need to increase the space and reenrich and diversify the enclosure to reduce tensions. That will result in improving every individual's welfare and the group will also have access to a larger grassy area, hence contributing to stimulating natural foraging and feeding behaviours. The emergency funds required to build and enrich this new enclosure is $2,600. Thanks to the last Giving Tuesday, we already received $700 from generous donors. Please make a life-changing donation for the putty-nosed monkeys and help us raise the remaining $1,900!
DONATE $5 OR MORE TODAY TO HELP OUR PUTTY-NOSED MONKEYS!! SUPPORT OUR PUTTY NOSED MONKEY
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Monthly Report
November 2021
November 2021 Highlights
□ Rescued one baby female drill □ Completed the splitting of the western lowland gorilla enclosure into 2 fully re-designed and enriched sub-units
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Monthly Report
November 2021
The African Marine Mammal Conservation Organization (AMMCO) is a Cameroonian non-profit organization created in 2012. Its vision is to make the coastal and aquatic environment of Africa a threat-free home for the African manatee and other marine wildlife, while taking into account the best interests of the local people. AMMCO aims to protect the aquatic megafauna such as African manatee, sea turtles, whales, dolphins, sharks and rays and their habitats in Central Africa by improving scientific knowledge and involving fishers and other stakeholders into sustainable fisheries and responsible watershed use. AMMCO is dedicated to promote citizen participation in conservation effort. Pandrillus is proud to collaborate with such an organisation driven by dedicated conservationists. We are happy that together we can teach children both on marine and terrestrial wildlife conservation and developed the next Protect Wildlife campaign about protecting life in the oceans. By Aristide Takoukam & Peggy Motsch
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Achievements November 2021 & Objectives December 2021 1. Pandrillus-GoC Partnership & Public Relations Funders □ None Specific activities □ Participated in the 3-days artistic and scientific festival for the celebration of marine fauna “STREET WHALE” in Kribi, South Region, coordinated by our partner the African Marine Mammal Conservation Organization (AMMCO) (Images 1-2) □ Participated in the 2-days Cameroon International Tourism Fair in the Limbe Botanical Garden and managed a stand presenting the work done by the Limbe Wildlife Centre to promote Cameroon’s wildlife and animal welfare (Images 3-4) □ The new Limbe 1 Divisional Officer visited the LWC □ The LWC was invited by the Senior Divisional Officer to participate in a beach cleaning organised by the Governor of the South-West region to promote city cleanliness and people health as a driver of ecotourism attractiveness
Image 1. Our head of education, Wilson Ateh, was invited by AMMCO to support the event and learn from other conservation initiatives in Cameroon
Image 2. This whale made of recycled plastic bottle was created by Street Corner artists to symbolise the rich marine biodiversity of Cameroon and raise awareness on the need to fight against pollution.
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Image 3. Ma Pauline coordinated and Image 4. Nature and culture stand managed the LWC stand at the together to promote ecotourism in international Tourism fair in Limbe Cameroon. Botanical Garden. December 2021 objectives □ 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
Specific activities □ Chimpanzee: Started the introduction of male Ntui into the Mainland group with the female dominant Papaya (Image 5)
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November 2021
□ Chimpanzee: Started and completed the re-integration of female Mbu into the Island Group after several week of isolation in Special Care and Rehabilitation Enclosure due to temporary leg paralysis due to nerve compression (Image 6) □ Chimpanzee: Started to introduce senescent female Suzanne into the Special Care and Rehabilitation Enclosure due to her degrading age-related physical condition (Image 7) □ Guenon/Mangabey: Completed the integration of two old females Sarah (Redcapped mangabey) & Aggie (Red-eared monkey)) in a geriatric den in the quarantine as they are unable to bear with social pressure in their species group □ Vet cares (November 2021): o Boosting primate immune systems during Covid-19: providing on daily basis vitamins, plants infusion, extra protein, and other nutritional enrichment to all primates o Primates: 184 individuals treated; 7 anaesthesia performed; 15 individuals sampled (2 blood samples for haematology analysis, 0 blood samples for biochemistry analysis, 13 faecal samples for coprology analysis, 0 urine analysis; 0 Tracheal swab for microbiology analysis); 1 ultrasound;
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contraception; 0 identification with a microchip; 1 laceration repairs; 74 drug therapies: 84% dietary supplements, 8% antibiotics, 4% anti-inflammatories, 1% antiparasitic, 2% others; 1 death: Tikar (male adult Chimpanzee, accident) (Image 8) o African grey parrots: 0 general health checks; 0 health checks before release; 0 transferrals to the soft-release aviary, 0 transferrals to the rehabilitation aviary; 7 individuals received extra care and nutritional supplement to boost feather regrowth; 2 deaths.
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November 2021
Image 5. Ntui, started his integration process in the mainland group with the dominant female Papaya. She is always a really good individuals to start the integration of a new individuals.
Image 6. After have been paralyzed for a few weeks, female chimpanzee Mbu, has finally recovered all her mobility and was successfully re-integrated to her group in the Island enclosure, where she can receive care from others.
Image 7. As sedating an old animal is always risky, it was decided to attract Suzanne in a smaller cage that we then transported with a lot of man power.
Image 8. Malika, the infant drill newly arrived, received her first health check. She is underweight but she has a good hair coat. She will catch up quickly with good the extra cares she will received in quarantine.
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Monthly Report
November 2021
December 2021 objectives: □ Continue with the ongoing activities □ African grey parrots: Continue to provide special care for the last individuals with difficulties improving their body conditions □ Chimpanzee: continue ongoing social integrations/introductions □ Western Lowland gorilla: release two groups together in the recently split enclosure □ Vet cares: Contraception: Drills (4), Chimpanzees (1), Patas (1), Olive baboon (1); General Health Check: Drill (1), Mandrill (1)
3. Wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and release programme Funders
Arrival & quarantine □ Drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus): 1 infant female rescued (Image 9) □ Northern White-Faced owl (Ptilopsis leucotis): 1 immature rescued (Image 10) Behavioural rehabilitation □ Drill: Started behavioural rehabilitation □ Mandrill: Continued behavioural rehabilitation □ Genet: Continued behavioural rehabilitation Social rehabilitation □ Drill/Mandrill: Introduce the two new babies to each other to facilitate their rehabilitation (Image 11) □ African grey parrot: Continued to maintain the care and enrichment to the 42 African grey parrots in the large aviary
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November 2021
□ Preuss’s Monkey: Started to introduce juvenile male Camfor to Red-eared Mbomoko in quarantine (Image 12) □ Tantalus Monkey: Started to introduce juvenile male Noun into the savannahdwelling group
Release (ecological & environmental rehabilitation) □ Northern White-Faced owl (Ptilopsis leucotis): 1 rescued immature released
Image 9. Following an operation carried out by MINFOF officers from Haut-Nkam, in collaboration with the national gendarmerie and technical assistance from LAGA, a female Drill aged around 3 months was seized near Bafang. Three poachers were arrested; they were trying to sell it when they were intercepted. She is now safe and starting her rehabilitation at the LWC.
Image 10. This young Northern WhiteFaced owl arrived after being kept for few days by a young girl. After a health check, some food, he was released back to the wild!
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Image 11. Baby male Mandrill, Ekema & baby female Drill, Malika, have been introduced together to help them in their social rehabilitation to play and support each other in absence of animal care staff.
Image 12. Baby Preuss’s Monkey Camfor met his new group led by Red-eared monkey Idenau. Camfor started to play as soon as he was accepted by the group and is now interacting with all individuals.
December 2021 objectives: □ Continue the ongoing rehabilitation activities □ Preuss’s Monkey: complete the introduction of Camfor into Idenau’s group □ Drill & Mandrill: start the social rehabilitation of infants Ekema (Mandrill) & Malika (Drill)
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4. Infrastructures and development| Material & Equipment Funders
Activities □ Western Lowland Gorillas: Completed the splitting of the group 1 enclosure: finished the design and fully re-enriched the two sub-units 1a and 1b (Images 13-26)
Image 13. Installing of the corridor safety Image 14. Final view from the corridor cage of between the 2 new the Western safety cage. lowland gorilla sub-enclosures.
Image 15. Scrubbing of the metal pillar with Image 16. Installation of electric fence wire brush. lines.
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November 2021
Image 17. Wire mesh installation to give Image 18. Installing visual obstacle on the addition protection to the corridor. corridor wall.
Image 19. Final view from the outdoor Image 20. Water pool preparation as a enclosure. new enrichment in the split enclosure.
Image 21. Concreting of the water pool
Image 22. preparation.
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Concrete
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Monthly Report
Image 23. Concrete platform final view.
November 2021
Image 24. Termite mount to stimulate foraging behaviours and increase welfare.
Image 25. Working late at night to install the Image 26. The enrichment rope enrichment rope and release the gorillas as soon as possible! December 2021 objectives □ Finish Mantum’s group maintenance (postponed) □ Start maintenance of the mangabey’s enclosures
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Monthly Report
November 2021
5. Community Conservation, Environmental education & Ecotourism Funders
Activities □ School outreach programme: Continued the 2021-2022 programme: 10 schools, 32 classes, and 1800 school children; monthly efforts: 72 men.hours □ Saturday Nature Club: Postponed until 2022 □ Art4Nature: Continued to produce billboards, posters, and radio podcasts to promote forest ecosystem preservation. □ Green project: 50 community members benefited from the Community-based Green Economy; 15 ex-hunter members sustainably harvesting wild herbaceous plants: 799.5 kg of Aframomum stems and 940 kg of Costus stems; 35 women members harvesting crop by-product: 923 kg of cassava leaves, 4,420 kg of papaya leaves, 2,073 kg of potato leaves, 396 kg of invasive Trumpet wood shoots, corresponding to 88 trees hand-cut; 993,640 FCFA (€1,517) paid directly to the local community association this month; 11,015,795 FCFA (€16,818) contributed to alleviate local poverty and increase gender equity in 2021.
December 2021 objectives □ Continue with ongoing programs □ Organize a beach cleaning at DownBeach Limbe with partner schools □ Organize the Christmas Nature Club at the Limbe Wildlife Centre for the staff children
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6. Wildlife conservation research & Health monitoring Funders □ None
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 (20022019), corresponding to 199 samples, and including a total of 21 haematological parameters.
Achieved activities □ None
December 2021 objectives □ Continue with the above ongoing activities
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November 2021
7. Capacity building, staff empowerment & Mentorship Funders □ None
Activities □ None December 2021 objectives □ Continue with the above ongoing activities
8. Communication & Visibility □ Digital communication (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter): This month, our instagram account has done very well, having an increased reach of 123%, being 5,809 people with an augmentation of more than 110 followers! 367,743 people were thus informed about our efforts to further conservation while being educated on how to help protect wildlife. Furthermore, our Instagram followers increased by 2% adding to our overall of 44,179 followers across our four channels, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
December 2021 objectives: □ Continue advocating the missions of the LWC within the Central African Conservation Landscape in Cameroon
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November 2021
9. Revenues generated □ Entrance fees (November 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 Nov-20 Dec-20 Jan-21 Feb-21 Mar-21 Apr-21 May-21 Jun-21 Adult Nationals
Children Nationals
Jul-21 Aug-21 Sep-21 Oct-21 Nov-21
Adult Foreigners
Children Foreigners
Figure 1. Visitor statistics Nov 2020 – Nov 2021
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