Tofala Hill Wildlife Sanctuary - Revision history

WikiEdit at 00:10, 15 October 2026

2026-10-15T00:10:49Z

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	= Conservation activities =		= Conservation activities =

	The African Conservation Foundation (ACF) and Environment and Rural Development Foundation (ERuDeF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF-Cameroon), have been working to conserve the last great apes populations in the Lebialem Highlands since 2004. This collaboration led to creating the Tofala Hill Wildlife Sanctuary in 2014 ([[#R01825\|Haas 2018]]).		The African Conservation Foundation (ACF) and Environment and Rural Development Foundation ([[#R02068\|ERuDeF]]), in collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF-Cameroon), have been working to conserve the last great apes populations in the Lebialem Highlands since 2004. This collaboration led to creating the Tofala Hill Wildlife Sanctuary in 2014 ([[#R01825\|Haas 2018]]).

	'''Table 4. Conservation activities reported for Tofala Hill Wildlife Sanctuary'''		'''Table 4. Conservation activities reported for Tofala Hill Wildlife Sanctuary'''
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	= Research activities =		= Research activities =

	The local NGO ERuDeF (Environmental and Rural Development Foundation) and Dschang University conduct research in the area. Surveys between 2014-2016 found that different factors affect the nest site choice of gorillas. Gorillas preferred to build their nests on steep slopes, with an angle of more than 45°. 74 % (22 nests) were built on steep slopes, 23 % (7 nests) were found at moderate slopes (25-45°) and only one nest was made in a flat area (3 %). Steep slopes protect the gorillas from getting surprised by poachers, who mostly hunt during the night. The diet of gorillas at the site consists of terrestrial herbaceous plants (61.5 % of all feeding signs); fruits constituted 22.5 %, and leaves were consumed in 16 % of all feeding cases ([[#R01826\|Linnarz 2017]]).		The local NGO [[#R02068\|ERuDeF]] (Environmental and Rural Development Foundation) and Dschang University conduct research in the area. Surveys between 2014-2016 found that different factors affect the nest site choice of gorillas. Gorillas preferred to build their nests on steep slopes, with an angle of more than 45°. 74 % (22 nests) were built on steep slopes, 23 % (7 nests) were found at moderate slopes (25-45°) and only one nest was made in a flat area (3 %). Steep slopes protect the gorillas from getting surprised by poachers, who mostly hunt during the night. The diet of gorillas at the site consists of terrestrial herbaceous plants (61.5 % of all feeding signs); fruits constituted 22.5 %, and leaves were consumed in 16 % of all feeding cases ([[#R01826\|Linnarz 2017]]).

	= Documented behaviours =		= Documented behaviours =

WikiEdit at 20:31, 12 October 2026

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WikiEdit at 14:51, 1 September 2026

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 !Comments
 !A.P.E.S. database ID
 |-
 |''Gorilla gorilla diehli''
@@ Line 78: / Line 91: @@
 |Linnarz 2017
+|
+|
 |}

WikiEdit at 10:15, 14 July 2026

2026-07-14T10:15:31Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:15, 14 July 2026
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	\|6.3 Other human disturbances		\|6.3 Other human disturbances
	\|Present (unknown severity)		\|Present (unknown severity)
	\|Due to fragmentation and isolation, the Tofala sub-population is increasingly isolated from the main population by 27 km to over 30 km, risking its long-term biological and genetic survival (ERuDeF 2026).		\|Due to habitat fragmentation and isolation, the Tofala sub-population of great apes is increasingly isolated from the main population by 27 km to over 30 km, risking its long-term biological and genetic survival (ERuDeF 2026).
	\|2016-Ongoing (2026)		\|2016-Ongoing (2026)
	\|-		\|-
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	\|7 Economic & other incentives		\|7 Economic & other incentives
	\|7.2 Provide non-monetary benefits to local communities for sustainably managing their forest and its wildlife (e.g., better education, infrastructure development)		\|7.2 Provide non-monetary benefits to local communities for sustainably managing their forest and its wildlife (e.g., better education, infrastructure development)
	\|The CRG Alliance was established to build a community-led movement and a network of local organizations with the operational capacity to reduce human pressure, empower local people, ~~and~~ thereby stabilizing and eventually doubling the CRG ~~population~~ over the next 25 years (ERuDeF 2026).		\|The CRG Alliance was established to build a community-led movement and a network of local organizations with the operational capacity to reduce human pressure, empower local people, thereby stabilizing and eventually doubling the CRG members over the next 25 years (ERuDeF 2026).
	\|Environment and Rural Development Foundation (ERuDeF)		\|Environment and Rural Development Foundation (ERuDeF)
	\|Ongoing (2026)		\|Ongoing (2026)
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	'''Page created by: '''Peter Akongte''' Date:''' 2023-06-19		'''Page created by: '''Peter Akongte''' Date:''' 2023-06-19

			'''Page updated by: '''APES Atlas Team''' Date:''' 2026-07-11

WikiEdit at 09:53, 14 July 2026

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← Older revision		Revision as of 05:53, 14 July 2026
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	\|2.3 General lack of funding		\|2.3 General lack of funding
	\|Akongte P., pers. comm. 2023		\|Akongte P., pers. comm. 2023
	\|		\|2023-Ongoing (2026)
	\|-		\|-
	\|4 Institutional support		\|4 Institutional support
	\|4.1 Lack of law enforcement		\|4.1 Lack of law enforcement
	\|Linnarz 2017		\|Linnarz 2017
	\|		\|2017-Ongoing (2026)
	\|-		\|-
	\|6 Safety and stability		\|6 Safety and stability
	\|6.3 Civil unrest/war		\|6.3 Civil unrest/war
	\|Akongte P., pers. comm. 2023		\|Akongte P., pers. comm. 2023
	\|		\|2023-Ongoing (2026)
	\|}		\|}

WikiEdit at 09:48, 14 July 2026

2026-07-14T09:48:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:48, 14 July 2026
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	= Site characteristics =		= Site characteristics =

	The site is located in the Lebialem Highlands, in southwestern Cameroon. The site lies 40 km away from [Mone River Forest Reserve]. There are steep mountains rising from the western edge of the reserve to the eastern side of the area; elevation varies from 250 m around the villages of Besali and Bechati in the west, to 1,900 m in Fossimondi in the east. The vegetation is mainly tropical rainforest, changing into montane forest above 1,400 m, and above 1,800 m there is anthropogenic grassland (Linnarz 2017).		The site is located in the Lebialem Highlands, in southwestern Cameroon. The site lies 40 km away from [[Mone River Forest Reserve]]. There are steep mountains rising from the western edge of the reserve to the eastern side of the area; elevation varies from 250 m around the villages of Besali and Bechati in the west, to 1,900 m in Fossimondi in the east. The vegetation is mainly tropical rainforest, changing into montane forest above 1,400 m, and above 1,800 m there is anthropogenic grassland (Linnarz 2017).

	'''Table 1. Basic site information for Tofala Hill Wildlife Sanctuary'''		'''Table 1. Basic site information for Tofala Hill Wildlife Sanctuary'''
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	!Comments		!Comments
	!A.P.E.S. database ID		!A.P.E.S. database ID
			\|-
			\|''Gorilla gorilla diehli''
			\|2014-2016
			\|
			\|
			\|0.03
			\|45692.0
			\|Tofala Hill Wildlife Sanctuary
			\|Reconnaissance walk
			\|
			\|Linnarz 2017
			\|
			\|
	\|-		\|-
	\|''Pan troglodytes ellioti''		\|''Pan troglodytes ellioti''
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	\|Njukang et al. 2019		\|Njukang et al. 2019
	\|Survey effort 47 km. 66 arboreal nests and 21 ground nests in the sampled area. 16 nest sites recorded. Direct observation of 6 chimpanzees.		\|Survey effort 47 km. 66 arboreal nests and 21 ground nests in the sampled area. 16 nest sites recorded. Direct observation of 6 chimpanzees.
	\|
	\|-
	~~\|''Gorilla gorilla diehli''~~
	~~\|2014-2016~~
	\|
	\|
	~~\|0.03~~
	~~\|45692.0~~
	~~\|Tofala Hill Wildlife Sanctuary~~
	~~\|Reconnaissance walk~~
	\|
	~~\|Linnarz 2017~~
	\|
	\|		\|
	\|}		\|}
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	\|2.1 Annual & perennial non-timber crops		\|2.1 Annual & perennial non-timber crops
	\|High (more than 70% of population affected)		\|High (more than 70% of population affected)
	\|Agricultural encroachment (Linnarz 2017, Njukang et al. 2019).		\|Agricultural encroachment (Linnarz 2017, Njukang et al. 2019). Heavy deforestation caused by agricultural encroachment and militia occupancy for shelter, cooking, and defensive structures (Sunday 2026; ERuDeF 2026).
	\|Ongoing (~~2019~~)		\|2016-Ongoing (2026)
	\|-		\|-
	\|5 Biological resource use		\|5 Biological resource use
	\|5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals		\|5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals
	\|High (more than 70% of population affected)		\|High (more than 70% of population affected)
	\|Hunting, especially with snares (Linnarz 2017, Njukang et al. 2019).		\|Hunting, especially with snares (Linnarz 2017, Njukang et al. 2019). Poaching reported with continuous intrusion, particularly from the North of the sanctuary, decimating the population and habitat (ERuDeF 2026).
	\|Ongoing (~~2019~~)		\|2016-Ongoing (2026)
	\|-		\|-
	\|5 Biological resource use		\|5 Biological resource use
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	\|Logging in the low altitude areas of the sanctuary, avoided by gorillas (Njukang et al. 2019).		\|Logging in the low altitude areas of the sanctuary, avoided by gorillas (Njukang et al. 2019).
	\|Ongoing (2019)		\|Ongoing (2019)
			\|-
			\|6 Human intrusions & disturbance
			\|6.3 Other human disturbances
			\|Present (unknown severity)
			\|Due to fragmentation and isolation, the Tofala sub-population is increasingly isolated from the main population by 27 km to over 30 km, risking its long-term biological and genetic survival (ERuDeF 2026).
			\|2016-Ongoing (2026)
			\|-
			\|6 Human intrusions & disturbance
			\|6.2 War, civil unrest & military exercises
			\|High (more than 70% of population affected)
			\|The war crises which started in 2016 and concentrated in the Lebialem Highlands; acts as a "treble blow" by causing existing conservation donors to pull out and drastically cutting funding (ERuDeF 2026; Sunday 2026).
			\|2016-Ongoing (2026)
	\|}		\|}

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	\|5.2 Legally protect ape habitat		\|5.2 Legally protect ape habitat
	\|The wildlife sanctuary was established in 2014.		\|The wildlife sanctuary was established in 2014.
	\|		\|Environment and Rural Development Foundation (ERuDeF), and Government of Cameroon
	\|2014-Ongoing (2026)		\|2014-Ongoing (2026)
			\|-
			\|5 Protection & restoration
			\|5.4 Create natural habitat patches (including corridors)
			\|Establishment of a biological corridor to secure a vital migration pathway linking the Tofala sub-population to the Takamanda sub-population (ERuDeF 2026).
			\|Environment and Rural Development Foundation (ERuDeF), and Government of Cameroon
			\|Ongoing (2026)
			\|-
			\|5 Protection & restoration
			\|5.6 Habitat restoration
			\|The 2.5M Tree Reforestation Project: Initiating a large-scale reforestation campaign to contain, reduce, and eventually halt agricultural encroachment, deforestation, and habitat degradation (ERuDeF 2026).
			\|Environment and Rural Development Foundation (ERuDeF), and Government of Cameroon
			\|Ongoing (2026)
	\|-		\|-
	\|7 Economic & other incentives		\|7 Economic & other incentives
	\|7.1 Provide monetary benefits to local communities for sustainably managing their forest and its wildlife (e.g., REDD, alternative income, employment)		\|7.1 Provide monetary benefits to local communities for sustainably managing their forest and its wildlife (e.g., REDD, alternative income, employment)
	\|As part of ERuDeFs’ Livelihood and Economic Development Program. Communities have been trained and given start-up capital to begin the production of medicated soap and detergent ([https://erudef.org/tofala-hill-wildlife-sanctuary/ ERuDeF]).		\|As part of ERuDeFs’ Livelihood and Economic Development Program. Communities have been trained and given start-up capital to begin the production of medicated soap and detergent ([https://erudef.org/tofala-hill-wildlife-sanctuary/ ERuDeF]).
	\|		\|Environment and Rural Development Foundation (ERuDeF)
	\|~~Unknown~~		\|2014-2015
			\|-
			\|7 Economic & other incentives
			\|7.2 Provide non-monetary benefits to local communities for sustainably managing their forest and its wildlife (e.g., better education, infrastructure development)
			\|The CRG Alliance was established to build a community-led movement and a network of local organizations with the operational capacity to reduce human pressure, empower local people, and thereby stabilizing and eventually doubling the CRG population over the next 25 years (ERuDeF 2026).
			\|Environment and Rural Development Foundation (ERuDeF)
			\|Ongoing (2026)
	\|}		\|}

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	\|-		\|-
	\|2 Resources and capacity		\|2 Resources and capacity
	\|		\|2.6 External partnerships that add expertise or resources
	\|		\|ERuDeF 2026
	\|		\|Ongoing (2026)
	\|-		\|-
	\|3 Engaged community		\|3 Engaged community
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	= References =		= References =

	Haas, A. (2018, July 17). Large groups of Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees captured on camera trap footage in Tofala Hill Wildlife Sanctuary. https://africanconservation.org/large-groups-of-nigeria-cameroon-chimpanzees-captured-on-camera-trap-footage-in-tofala-hill-wildlife-sanctuary/		ERuDeF. (2026, May 13). Cross River Gorilla Conservation Program: Reconnecting fragmented populations. https://erudef.org/cross-river-gorilla-conservation-program-reconnecting-fragmented-populations/ <br>
			Haas, A. (2018, July 17). Large groups of Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees captured on camera trap footage in Tofala Hill Wildlife Sanctuary. https://africanconservation.org/large-groups-of-nigeria-cameroon-chimpanzees-captured-on-camera-trap-footage-in-tofala-hill-wildlife-sanctuary/ <br>

	Linnarz, S. (2017) Survey of the Cross River Gorilla at the Tofala Hill Wildlife Sanctuary in Cameroon. Gorilla Journal no. 54, June 2017. Online: https://www.berggorilla.org/en/gorillas/general/ecology/articles-ecology/survey-of-the-cross-river-gorilla-at-the-tofala-hill-wildlife-sanctuary-in-cameroon/		Linnarz, S. (2017) Survey of the Cross River Gorilla at the Tofala Hill Wildlife Sanctuary in Cameroon. Gorilla Journal no. 54, June 2017. Online: https://www.berggorilla.org/en/gorillas/general/ecology/articles-ecology/survey-of-the-cross-river-gorilla-at-the-tofala-hill-wildlife-sanctuary-in-cameroon/

WikiEdit at 09:22, 21 April 2026

2026-04-21T09:22:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:22, 21 April 2026
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	!Source		!Source
	!Year(s)		!Year(s)
			\|-
			\|2 Resources and capacity
			\|2.3 General lack of funding
			\|Akongte P., pers. comm. 2023
			\|
	\|-		\|-
	\|4 Institutional support		\|4 Institutional support
	\|4.1 Lack of law enforcement		\|4.1 Lack of law enforcement
	\|Linnarz 2017		\|Linnarz 2017
	\|
	\|-
	~~\|2 Resources and capacity~~
	~~\|2.3 General lack of funding~~
	~~\|Akongte P., pers. comm. 2023~~
	\|		\|
	\|-		\|-

WikiEdit at 14:49, 25 March 2026

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← Older revision		Revision as of 10:49, 25 March 2026
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	* Key threats to great apes are poaching, expansion of farmlands and human-wildlife conflicts.		* Key threats to great apes are poaching, expansion of farmlands and human-wildlife conflicts.
	* Conservation activities have focused on anti-poaching patrols, providing alternative sources of income to reduce pressure on forest and wildlife.		* Conservation activities have focused on anti-poaching patrols, providing alternative sources of income to reduce pressure on forest and wildlife.





	= Site characteristics =		= Site characteristics =
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	\|Hunting, especially with snares (Linnarz 2017, Njukang et al. 2019).		\|Hunting, especially with snares (Linnarz 2017, Njukang et al. 2019).
	\|Ongoing (2019)		\|Ongoing (2019)
			\|-
			\|5 Biological resource use
			\|5.2 Gathering terrestrial plants
			\|High (more than 70% of population affected)
			\|Harvesting of eru (''Gnetum africanum'') and Njangsa (''Ricinodendron heudelotii'') (Akongte, P. pers. comm. 2023).
			\|Ongoing (2023)
	\|-		\|-
	\|5 Biological resource use		\|5 Biological resource use
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	\|Logging in the low altitude areas of the sanctuary, avoided by gorillas (Njukang et al. 2019).		\|Logging in the low altitude areas of the sanctuary, avoided by gorillas (Njukang et al. 2019).
	\|Ongoing (2019)		\|Ongoing (2019)
	\|-
	~~\|5 Biological resource use~~
	~~\|5.2 Gathering terrestrial plants~~
	~~\|High (more than 70% of population affected)~~
	~~\|Harvesting of eru (''Gnetum africanum'') and Njangsa (''Ricinodendron heudelotii'') (Akongte, P. pers. comm. 2023).~~
	~~\|Ongoing (2023)~~
	\|}		\|}

WikiEdit at 07:32, 4 February 2026

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← Older revision		Revision as of 03:32, 4 February 2026
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	\|The wildlife sanctuary was established in 2014.		\|The wildlife sanctuary was established in 2014.
	\|		\|
	\|Ongoing (~~2023~~)		\|2014-Ongoing (2026)
	\|-		\|-
	\|7 Economic & other incentives		\|7 Economic & other incentives

WikiEdit at 14:33, 23 December 2025

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	!Implementing organization(s)		!Implementing organization(s)
	!Year of activity		!Year of activity
	\|-
	~~\|4 Education & awareness~~
	~~\|4.1 Educate local communities about apes and sustainable use~~
	~~\|Education and awareness raising through group discussions and questionnaires (Akongte, P. pers. comm. 2023).~~
	\|
	~~\|2018-2019~~
	\|-		\|-
	\|2 Counter-wildlife crime		\|2 Counter-wildlife crime
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	\|		\|
	\|Ongoing (2018)		\|Ongoing (2018)
			\|-
			\|4 Education & awareness
			\|4.1 Educate local communities about apes and sustainable use
			\|Education and awareness raising through group discussions and questionnaires (Akongte, P. pers. comm. 2023).
			\|
			\|2018-2019
	\|-		\|-
	\|5 Protection & restoration		\|5 Protection & restoration