The urgent need for restoring Mount Mbam in the West Region of Cameroon and conserving the remnant biodiversity species therein has become crucial. A team of researchers from Voice of Nature (VoNat) underscored this recently, following a one-month baseline assessment carried out in the Mount Mbam Area in February 2025 with the support of Global Diversity Foundation and CO2Balance.
According to one of the researchers, Alistair Morrell, the increasing human pressure mounted on the biodiversity hotspot has wanton effects on the wildlife species in the area.
“Bare ground, bush burning, and deforestation were evident everywhere. We struggled to see much biodiversity, but did observe some grey monkeys running away in the distance on a couple of occasions. The site is known for its important bird diversity, and it was clear that conservation and restoration is urgently needed to ensure their survival,” Alistair said.
He recommended that more education and sensitization be carried out to change the mindset of adjacent communities.
“Education and awareness of the importance of conservation is needed. People often hunt bushmeat indiscriminately, not necessarily realising the adverse impact this is having on wildlife,” He added.
Mount Mbam is a 12,000 ha. unprotected Important Bird area in the West Region of Cameroon. It is a safe haven to over 225 bird species with 12 endemics to the Cameroon Mountains and 26 restricted to the Afrotropical Highlands forest biome including critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable species like the Critically Endangered White headed Vulture, Bannerman’s Turaco and Bannerman’s Weaver. The mountain is also host to hundreds of tree species, large mammals and a variety of amphibian species, threatened by hunting, deforestation and bush burning, amongst others.
Ndimuh Shancho