Rehabilitation and Reintroduction of wild born orphan chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) within the pongo and okokong islands of the douala-edea wildlife reserve, Littoral Region Cameroon

DOI: 10.22161/ijeab/3.1.8

Keyword: Rehabilitation, reintroduction, orphan chimpanzee, Pongo and Okokong Islands, Douala-Edea Wildlife Reserve.

Abstract: This study had as main objective to document on the reintroduction of chimpanzees in the Douala-Edea Wildlife Reserve which appears to be the first case of chimpanzee reintroduction in Cameroon. The study was carried out in the South East zone of the Douala-Edea Wildlife Reserve which holds a small chimpanzee sanctuary under the auspices of “Papaye France” association. Data was collected on the field using semi structured questionnaires, interviews and direct observations alongside a participatory action approach at the sanctuary. Data from discussion guide and questionnaires were descriptively analysed and discussed with respect to our objectives. There were 24 orphan chimpanzees all together present in the zone and being cared for by the association PAPAYE France. This association has released 16 chimpanzees on two Islands of the reserve, the first group made of 9 chimpanzees (6 males and 3 females) were released in 2008 on the Pongo Island and a second group made of 6 chimpanzees (4 males and 2 females) were released on the Okokong Island in 2010; one female was later introduced to this group early 2015. These chimpanzees were released after a rehabilitation process not in line with IUCN guidelines for reintroduction of great apes and not following any developed scientific approach or methodology. Despite this, the released chimps are faring well as new births have been recorded on either Islands, chimps feed, nest, movement and vocalize indicating there have gotten adapted to live on the Islands. It was also noted that the sizes of these islands may not maintain a viable, nutritionally self-sustaining population in the long run hence could better serve as a semi naturalistic sanctuary. It is necessary that the carrying capacities of the islands be determined while larger potential release sites be assessed and prepared for an eventual transfer/reintroduction of these apes in the future.

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Tsi Evaristus Angwafo, Atanga Roland, Valentine Buh Ebua et al."Rehabilitation and Reintroduction of wild born orphan chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) within the pongo and okokong islands of the douala-edea wildlife reserve, Littoral Region Cameroon". International Journal of Environment Agriculture and Biotechnology(ISSN: 2456-1878),vol 3, no. 1, 2018, pp.055-065 AI Publications doi:10.22161/ijeab/3.1.8

Tsi Evaristus Angwafo, Atanga Roland, Valentine Buh Ebua, P.(2018).Rehabilitation and Reintroduction of wild born orphan chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) within the pongo and okokong islands of the douala-edea wildlife reserve, Littoral Region Cameroon. International Journal of Environment Agriculture and Biotechnology(ISSN: 2456-1878).3(1), 055-065.10.22161/ijeab/3.1.8

Tsi Evaristus Angwafo, Atanga Roland, Valentine Buh Ebua, P.(2018).Rehabilitation and Reintroduction of wild born orphan chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) within the pongo and okokong islands of the douala-edea wildlife reserve, Littoral Region Cameroon. International Journal of Environment Agriculture and Biotechnology(ISSN: 2456-1878).3(1), pp.055-065.

Tsi Evaristus Angwafo, Atanga Roland, Valentine Buh Ebua. 2018."Rehabilitation and Reintroduction of wild born orphan chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) within the pongo and okokong islands of the douala-edea wildlife reserve, Littoral Region Cameroon". International Journal of Environment Agriculture and Biotechnology(ISSN: 2456-1878).3(1):055-065.Doi:10.22161/ijeab/3.1.8

Tsi Evaristus Angwafo, Atanga Roland, Valentine Buh Ebua."Rehabilitation and Reintroduction of wild born orphan chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) within the pongo and okokong islands of the douala-edea wildlife reserve, Littoral Region Cameroon", International Journal of Environment Agriculture and Biotechnology,vol.3,no. 1, pp.055-065,2018.

@article { tsievaristusangwafo2018rehabilitation,
title={Rehabilitation and Reintroduction of wild born orphan chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) within the pongo and okokong islands of the douala-edea wildlife reserve, Littoral Region Cameroon},
author={Tsi Evaristus Angwafo, Atanga Roland, Valentine Buh Ebua , R},
journal={International Journal of Environment Agriculture and Biotechnology},
volume={3},
year= {2018} ,
}