Forest

The fate of unique species in Tanzania’s coastal forests hangs in the balance

The fate of unique species in Tanzania’s coastal forests hangs in the balance

Tanzania is known for its tapestry of lush forests, expansive grasslands and tropical beaches, and abundant and diverse wildlife. Its coastal forests are part of the Coastal Forests of Eastern Africa biodiversity hotspot – a place recognised for its wealth of wildlife but threatened with destruction, making it a high priority for conservation efforts. These…

Large groups of Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees captured on camera trap footage in Tofala Hill Wildlife Sanctuary

Large groups of Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees captured on camera trap footage in Tofala Hill Wildlife Sanctuary

The highlands of South West Cameroon are a biodiversity hotspot that harbours unique but endangered species such as Cross River gorillas, chimpanzees, drill monkeys, forest elephants but also rare birds, amphibians and butterflies. The African Conservation Foundation (ACF) and Environment and Rural Development Foundation (ERuDeF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF-Cameroon), have since…

African court’s landmark ruling gives hope to rural people across the continent

African court’s landmark ruling gives hope to rural people across the continent

Liz Alden Wily, Leiden University The still new African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights has issued a landmark judgement for marginalised communities across Africa. It ruled that the Kenyan government violated the rights of the Mau Ogiek people by evicting them from their ancestral land in the Mau Forest complex. Before taking their case…

Eyes in the sky and on the ground: Engaging communities in forest conservation in the Cameroon Highlands

Eyes in the sky and on the ground: Engaging communities in forest conservation in the Cameroon Highlands

Arend de Haas, African Conservation Foundation, University of Buea The highland rainforests of South West Cameroon are among the oldest forests on the continent. They comprise the richest flora and fauna in continental tropical Africa. The area is one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots. The region encompasses high levels of unique, as well…

Cameroon’s First Participatory 3D Mapping for Forest Monitoring and Conservation Management

Cameroon’s First Participatory 3D Mapping for Forest Monitoring and Conservation Management

Conservation Unplugged A three-dimensional model of part of the Cameroon Highlands has been unveiled today on Monday 30 May in an official ceremony at the Southwest Regional Delegation of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF). A Participatory 3D Mapping project has been conducted earlier this month in communities surrounding the proposed Tofala-Mone East Wildlife Corridor in South…

Massive infrastructure projects could be Africa’s greatest environmental challenge

Massive infrastructure projects could be Africa’s greatest environmental challenge

Bill Laurance, James Cook University Africa’s natural environments and spectacular wildlife are about to face their biggest challenge ever. In a paper published today in Current Biology, my colleagues and I assess the dramatic environmental changes that will be driven by an infrastructure-expansion scheme so sweeping in scope, it is dwarfing anything the Earth’s biggest…