Cameroon’s biodiversity and sustainable development non-profit organization, VoNat Voice of Nature (VoNat), March 12, 2022, engaged some 40 kids (7 to 18) years from communities in the Mount Cameroon Area in tracking and monitoring wildlife species within the Mount Cameroon National Park. This was aimed at boosting the appetite of these youngsters in conservation/engaging them in conserving great ape (Nigeria Cameroon Chimpanzee) and other endangered species of the Park while grooming them into lifelong conservation champions.
Under the guidance of the Head of the Research and Biomonitoring Unit of the Mount Cameroon National Park Service, Mr. Esoka Thomas Ngalame, and the technical team of VoNat, the children from Bokova, Bova, Bonakanda, Bwitingi etc. for over 8 hours moved quietly through this protected area; identifying and recording vital data about wildlife species and conservation threats. These included but not limited to feeding signs, direct observation, vocalization, gun shells, deforestation, bush burning, animal tracks, dungs, foot prints etc.
Though living adjacent to the Mount Cameroon National Park, it was the first time for over 90% of the kids to visit this biodiversity hot spot and to be engaged in wildlife tracking and biomonitoring. “I have seen some species of animals today for the first time; I saw birds, signs, a squirrel, a francolin, and also heard the vocalization of many animal species; I saw the track of an antelope,” Zara Buri from Bokova attested.
Mbome Theres Nomondo from Bwitingi became connected to nature while carrying out the tracking and biomonitoring exercise. “Honestly speaking, I am here with my friends, it’s so beautiful out here and I don’t feel like going back home. I hope that we will be able to beautify nature and keep these animals saved,” she said.
The Head of Research and Biomonitoring Unit of the Mount Cameroon National Park, Esoka Thomas Ngalame, said “the idea of engaging children in conservation is a very brilliant one. They will carry this idea in them as they grow up. With this, we are sure of a better future for the fauna and flora species of the Park.”
This activity was carried out as part of the VoNat’s Keep the Apes Alive Project dedicated to conserving the ape and other endangered species of the Mount Cameroon Area with community kids and youths. It is being funded by New England Biolabs Foundation and supported by Idea Wild. The project is expected to boost the appetite of children & youths in species conservation, preserve local conservation knowledge about species, and enhance the success of conservation programmes & community involvement.