Foreword

Quarterly Report

Dear friends and supporters,

It is a great honour to be here in Cameroon at the Limbe Wildlife Centre and writing my first foreword as the new manager of this wonderful institution.

I arrived in December and must thank my predecessor Peggy Motsch for her patience and diligence, allowing a gradual introduction to Cameroon and the great challenge that is this role during our transition period through to late February. After arriving from the U.K., the hot and dry season here was a dramatic change. The heat and humidity can be remarkable, but so too the breath-taking beauty of the coastline around Limbe, with Mount Cameroon looming behind, and the vibrantly friendly people.

It is incredible, and humbling, to think that the LWC has been providing a haven for rescued primates and other animals since 1993. The Victoria Zoo, as it was previously called, had 3 drills, several baboons, red-capped mangabeys, guenons, Suzanne (the founding chimpanzee, who with great sadness we lost to illness in February, see the special tribute to her below) and Man Alone (the adult male mandrill) living there when Pandrillus became involved. So much has been achieved since then, by so many people.

Which is why it is such a great privilege to take over from Peggy and become the next link in the chain of previous project managers who have guided the LWC to where it is today. Now that it is my turn, I will strive to continue their work and take the LWC from strength to strength. So, to my first impressions. We are clearly so very fortunate to have a wonderful team of people, including passionate local and international veterinarians, such as Dr John Kiyang, and dedicated animal carers and keepers. Some like Victor Veseke or Andreas Mbong have been here since or near the very beginning and have deep wells of knowledge and experience for us all to tap into. The way they understand and care for their precious animals, having in many cases raised them from baby orphans, as if they were members of their own family, is heart-warming and inspiring. They really are the heart of the project. Then there are the keen young staff members with the potential if trained and encouraged correctly, to be the future of the LWC for many years to come. All in all, it is a wonderfully warm, dedicated, and welcoming ‘family’ I am lucky enough to be joining.

The LWC is of course a partnership with MINFOF, the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife, and as such stands out as being unique among similar projects in West Africa and as a successful and longlasting collaboration. A partnership such as this, going successfully for nearly 30 years, between a foreign non-profit organisation and the Government of Cameroon is to be celebrated, and its fruits are clearly visible in the excellent facilities and staff at LWC.

In March we were honoured to be visited by the Minister himself (see highlights below), who made just this point and praised the LWC and the work of his partner Pandrillus at length.

First quarter 2022

Quarterly Report

There can of course be complexities and challenges operating in this environment, and there have already been a number this year. But our mission as Pandrillus and our focus at the LWC is clear. The number one priority will always be the animals. We rescue, rehabilitate and if possible, release, and will always strive to achieve what is best for the animals and their wellbeing, whatever the challenges.

As I start out on this journey, I am also extremely fortunate to have such expertise and experience among our directors – the founders of Pandrillus, Peter Jenkins and Liza Gadsby, and Felix Lankester, a vet and himself a previous manager at the LWC. In Nigeria, Pandrillus runs Drill Ranch and Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, protecting species such as the critically endangered Cross River gorilla, the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee, and the drill. So, here also there is a wealth of knowledge to tap into, and plenty of opportunities for collaboration and the exchange of ideas.

The approach at LWC will continue: Care of our rescued creatures, often the victims of poaching, conservation outreach and education designed to inspire people to respect and protect nature, alternative livelihood creation and positive advocacy. The aim is to promote wildlife conservation and help to protect Cameroon’s incredible habitats and endangered species, particularly those which are endemic to the South-West region.

Beyond the core purpose of caring for our animals, key to our broader aims will be to maintain and bring fresh energy to

First quarter 2022

our long-running and highly regarded conservation and education programme: The Green Project provides alternative livelihoods to ex-hunting families around Mount Cameroon

National Park, who harvest various green leaf crops and by-products as browse for our hungry gorillas, drills, chimpanzees, and other primates Outreach and education guided by the inspirational Wilson Ateh, which this year has bounced back from

COVID limitations to reach nearly 2000 local school children The African grey parrot rehabilitation and release programme is the only one in Cameroon, helping to stem the tide of destruction wrought by the illegal pet trade on this beautiful and charismatic bird

Collaboration should be key for LWC with state and national governments, communities, traditional rulers, other international and local NGOs, zoos, advisory groups, and the private sector to achieve our goals and maximise the positive impact we can have.

It is with great excitement that I take up the role of manager at the LWC. I would like to thank you all for your ongoing support, without which nothing would be possible, and look forward to communicating and working with you as we move forward together.

Best wishes,

Jerry Aylmer

Project Manager