Mount Cameroon National Park

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Summary

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• Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes ellioti) & Cross river gorillas (Gorilla gorilla diehli) are present in Mount Cameroon National Park.
• It has been estimated that 130 (79-215) chimpanzees occur in the site; the gorilla population size is unknown.
• The chimpanzee population trend is stable.
• The site has a total size of 581.78 km².
• Key threats to great apes are hunting and logging.
• Conservation activities have focused on community-based projects, eco-tourism and biomonitoring.
• At 4,070 m in altitude, Mount Cameroon is the highest peak in sub-Saharan western and central Africa.

Site characteristics

Established in 2009, Mt. Cameroon National Park lies near the coast, in western Cameroon (Eno-Nku 2013). Harboring a very rich and diverse flora and fauna, the site is part of a biodiversity hotspot in the Gulf of Guinea Forests (MNCP). Reaching 4,070 m in altitude, Mount Cameroon, also known as Mount Fako, is an active volcano and the highest peak in West and Central Africa, as well as the fourth most prominent peak in Africa (MNCP). The western slope of the park is one of the wettest places in the world, with 10,000 mm rainfall (MNCP). The park is home to forest elephants, chimpanzees, drills, and over 330 bird species, including two endemic species, the Mt. Cameroon francolin, Pternistis camerunensis and Mt. Cameroon speirops, Zosterops melanocephalus (WWF).

Table 1. Basic site information for Mount Cameroon National Park

Species	Pan troglodytes ellioti
Area	581.78 km²
Coordinates	Lat: 4.218726 , Lon: 9.146500
Type of site	Protected area (National Park)
Habitat types	Subtropical/tropical dry forest, Grassland, Subtropical/tropical moist montane forest
Type of governance	Governance by government

Types of sites Governance types Habitat types

Ape status

A survey in 2013 estimated an abundance of 130 (95% CI: 79-215) chimpanzees; nests and signs of gorillas were not found (Eno-Nku 2013). Based on the 2013 estimates together with results from a 2007 survey, the chimpanzee population appeared to be stable (Eno-Nku 2013). Camera trap surveys in 2016 and 2017 indicate a higher abundance in the southern part of the park (Boekee & Robinson 2017). However, lower relative abundance from surveys in 2020 and onwards indicate that the chimpanzee population is under pressure (Kupsch and Sumbede 2023).

Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for Mount Cameroon National Park

Species	Year	Occurrence	Encounter or vistation rate (nests/km; ind/day)	Density estimate [ind./ km²] (95% CI)	Abundance estimate (95% CI)	Survey area	Sampling method	Analytical framework	Source	Comments	A.P.E.S. database ID
Pan troglodytes ellioti	2007			0.47 (0.17-0.136)		Mt. Cameroon proposed National Park	Line transects		Eno-Nku 2013
Pan troglodytes ellioti	2013		1.21	0.67 (0.41-1.11)	130 (79-215)	Mt. Cameroon National Park, excluding southwest block	Line transects		Eno-Nku 2013
Pan troglodytes ellioti	2016		1.43 camera rec/100d			Mount Cameroon National Park	Camera trap		Boekee & Robinson 2017	Occupancy 0.38 (0.11); 60 TEAM Network protocol sites
Pan troglodytes ellioti	2016-2017		1.67 camera rec/100d			Mount Cameroon National Park	Camera trap		Boekee & Robinson 2017	Occupancy 0.24 (0.06); 60 TEAM Network protocol sites
Pan troglodytes ellioti	2020		0.49 camera rec/100d +/- 0.13 (SE)			Mount Cameroon National Park	Camera trap		Kupsch and Sumbede 2023	Survey effort 3,470 camera days, July-December
Pan troglodytes ellioti	2020		0.47 enc/km +/- 0.09 (SE)			Mount Cameroon National Park	Reconnaissance walk		Kupsch and Sumbede 2023	Survey effort 411.5 km, April-June
Pan troglodytes ellioti	2022		0.47 camera rec/100d +/- 0.25 (SE)			Mount Cameroon National Park	Camera trap		Kupsch and Sumbede 2023	Survey effort 2,208 camera days, July-December
Pan troglodytes ellioti	2022		0.27 enc/km +/- 0.05 (SE)			Mount Cameroon National Park	Reconnaissance walk		Kupsch and Sumbede 2023	Survey effort 400.2 km, April-June
Pan troglodytes ellioti	2022-2023		0.04 nest cluster enc/hour +/- 0.02 (SE)			Mt. Cameroon National Park; only Mt. Etinde (4,370 ha)	Reconnaissance walk		Kupsch et al. 2025	Community-based, survey effort 277 hours, July October-December September
Pan troglodytes ellioti	2022-2023		0.81 camera rec/100d +/- 0.15 (SE)			Mt. Cameroon National Park; only Mt. Etinde (4,370 ha)	Camera trap		Kupsch et al. 2025	Survey effort 4,994 camera days, October-SeptemberJuly-October
Pan troglodytes ellioti	2023-2024		0.09 nest cluster enc/hour +/- 0.03 (SE)			Mt. Cameroon National Park; only Mt. Etinde (4,370 ha)	Reconnaissance walk		Kupsch et al. 2025	Community-based, survey effort 194.6 hours, October-SeptemberJuly-December
Pan troglodytes ellioti	2023-2024		0.91 camera rec/100d +/- 0.2 (SE)			Mt. Cameroon National Park; only Mt. Etinde (4,370 ha)	Camera trap		Kupsch et al. 2025	Survey effort 3,430 camera days, October-SeptemberJuly-October

Sampling methods Analytical frameworks

Threats

Main threats to great apes include hunting and logging. Encounter rate (nests/km)s of human pressure threats within the park decreased between 2007 and 2013 (Eno-Nku 2013).

Table 3. Threats to apes reported for Mount Cameroon National Park

Category	Specific threats	Threat level	Description	Year of threat
5 Biological resource use	5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals	High (more than 70% of population affected)	Signs of snares, gun shells, gun shots, hunting trails had the highest encounter rate for human activities (Eno-Nku 2013). Traps 2020: 0.9 enc/km +/- 0.05 (SE); 2022: 0.44 enc/km +/- 0.07 (SE); gunshot rate from passive acoustic monitoring 2020: 39.91 gs/100d) +/- 15.25 (SE); 2022: 4.22 gs/100d +/- 1.03 (SE). Gunshot rate relatively low compared to other parks, while trapping rates are high (Kupsch and Sumbede 2023).	2009-Ongoing (2023)
5 Biological resource use	5.3 Logging & wood harvesting	Medium (30-70% of population affected)	Logging signs inside park area 2020: 0.01 enc/km +/- 0.01 (SE); 2022: 0.04 enc/km +/- 0.02 (SE). Logging signs are scarce inside the park area though it appears at the edges (Kupsch and Sumbede 2023).	2009-Ongoing (2023)
1 Residential & commercial development	1.3 Tourism & recreation areas	Low (up to 30% of population affected)	The park established several structures to host tourists (MNCP). Some are in chimpanzee areas (in the southern part). But the structures (houses, trails, lookouts) as well as tourist numbers are low.	2009-Ongoing (2025)
6 Human intrusions & disturbance	6.2 War, civil unrest & military exercises	Present (unknown severity)	Military-political crisis in the entire region affecting the northern part of the park (Kupsch and Sumbede 2023).	2017-Ongoing (2023)
2 Agriculture & aquaculture	2.1 Annual & perennial non-timber crops	Present (unknown severity)	Agricultural encroachment (Eno-Nku 2013).	Ongoing (2013)

Threats

Conservation activities

The National park is working with Village Forest Management Committees (VFMCs) of the 41 communities around the park. These communities have been regrouped into clusters. Each cluster has a cluster facilitator, a person who maintains communication between the park and the cluster. Inside the National Park territory each cluster is co-responsible for the management of a “Cluster Conservation Zone” (MNCP). On half-yearly cluster platform meetings representatives of the VFMCs plan and agree on co-management activities (e.g. boundary opening and monitoring activities), and evaluate past performance (MCNP). The communities equally receive a conservation bonus, depending on their performance in co-management activities and the occurrence of illegal activities in their cluster conservation zone. The conservation bonus is used to sponsor small community projects. The National park is managing the Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP) of ``Prunus Africana`` bark in a sustainable way. Local communities insisted on further exploitation of the Prunus Resource as a user right during the process leading to the creation of Mt. Cameroon National Park. Mount Cameroon hosts one of the largest populations of ``Prunus africana`` in Cameroon. The tree is occurring mainly in the mountain forest close to the border of the savannah. The Prunus bark is used as traditional medicine and since the 1970s in the pharmaceutical industry in Europe to treat benign prostate (MNCP).

Table 4. Conservation activities reported for Mount Cameroon National Park

Category	Specific activity	Description	Implementing organization(s)	Year of activity
2 Counter-wildlife crime	2.11 Implement monitoring surveillance strategies (e.g., SMART) or use monitoring data to improve effectiveness of patrols	Regular surveys on wildlife and human activities are conducted through PSMNR-SWR (n.d.).		Ongoing (2025)
2 Counter-wildlife crime	2.13 Provide sustainable alternative livelihoods; establish fish- or domestic meat farms	Various activities in 41 target communities under PSMNR-SWR (n.d.), e.g. farmers training, vocational training, tree nurseries, piggeries, bee keeping, cassava mills.		2009-Ongoing (2025)
2 Counter-wildlife crime	2.14 Employ hunters in the conservation sector to reduce their impact	Hunters work as research assistants and as surveyors in community-based wildlife monitoring (Kupsch & Sumbede 2023; Kupsch et al. 2025)		2016-Ongoing (2025)
2 Counter-wildlife crime	2.3 Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols	Eco-guards patrol park (MCNP).		Ongoing (2025)
2 Counter-wildlife crime	2.6 Regularly de-activate/remove ground snares	Joint activities of community members and park-staff (PSMNR-SWR n.d.)		2022-Ongoing (2025)
4 Education & awareness	4.1 Educate local communities about apes and sustainable use	Conservation education programmes for school classes through PSMNR (n.d.)		2018-Ongoing (2025)
5 Protection & restoration	5.2 Legally protect ape habitat	The park was established in 2009.		2009-Ongoing (2026)
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)	Scholarships, community infrastructure development, green initiatives e.g. bee farming, small scale poultry and non-timber products value chain improvement (PSMNR-SWR n.d.)		2009-Ongoing (2025)
8 Permanent presence	8.2 Run tourist projects and ensure permanent human presence at site	The park has authorized local tour operators and activities such as trekking, bird watching and viewing wildlife (MCNP).		Ongoing (2023)
8 Permanent presence	8.2 Run tourist projects and ensure permanent human presence at site	The park has authorized local tour operators and activities such as trekking, bird watching and viewing wildlife (MCNP).		Ongoing (2025)

Conservation activities

Challenges

Since 2017, there has been a military-political crisis with a very poor security situation in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon, which has made law enforcement impossible in some areas, including the northern part of Mt. Cameroon National Park. For a long time and up to date, in times of higher tension, ecoguards and researchers could enter the north of the national park and most of the villages within and adjacent to it (Kupsch & Sumbede 2023).

Table 5. Challenges reported for Mount Cameroon National Park

Challenges	Specific challenges	Source	Year(s)
6 Safety and stability	6.3 Civil unrest/war	Kupsch & Sumbede 2023	2017-Ongoing (2023)

Challenges

Enablers

Table 6. Enablers reported for Mount Cameroon National Park

Enablers	Specific enablers	Source	Year(s)
1 Site management
2 Resources and capacity
3 Engaged community
4 Institutional support
5 Ecological context
6 Safety and stability

Enablers

Research activities

Mt. Cameroon is located relatively close to Douala and thus an international airport. This has made the mountain a hotspot for ornithologists through tourism but along with it also research. National universities, such as Buea, Dschang and Yaoundé, but also several international academic institutions are active on the mountain in avifaunal research. However, systematic surveys of large mammals remained scarce or unsuccessful due to the challenging terrain (Eno-Nku 2013). Since the national park has been included as target area into the regional development program (PSMNR-SWR) after its creation in 2009, large mammal monitoring became one focus of the research on the mountain. Since 2016 the park has been surveyed with camera traps based on the TEAM Network protocol (Kelly and Orume 2017) and since 2020 regular in-field recce surveys are implemented through the bio-monitoring unit of PSMNR (Kupsch and Sumbede 2023). Moreover, since 2022 a continuous recce and camera-based community-based monitoring has been implemented in the southern section at Mt. Etinde, one of the hotspots of chimpanzee presence inside the park (Kupsch et al. 2025)

Documented behaviours

Table 7. Behaviours documented for Mount Cameroon National Park

Category	Behavior	Observation type	Prevalence	Observation dates	Source	Habituation	Species	Comment
	Not reported

Behaviours

Exposure to climate change impacts

As part of a study on the exposure of African great ape sites to climate change impacts, Kiribou et al. subm. extracted climate data and data on projected extreme climate impact events for the site. Climatological characteristics were derived from observation-based climate data provided by the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISIMIP, www.isimip.org). Parameters were calculated as the average across each 30-year period. For 1981-2010, the EWEMBI dataset from ISIMIP2a was used. For the two future periods (2021-2050 and 2071-2099) ISIMIP2b climate data based on four CMIP5 global climate models were used. For future projections, two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) were used. RCP 2.6 is a scenario with strong mitigation measures in which global temperatures would likely rise below 2C. RCP 6.0 is a scenario with medium emissions in which global temperatures would likely rise up to 3C by 2100. For the number of days with heavy precipitation events, the 98th percentile of all precipitation days (>1mm/d) was calculated for the 1979-2013 reference period as a threshold for a heavy precipitation event. Then, for each year, the number of days above that threshold was derived. The figures on temperature and precipitation anomaly show the deviation from the mean temperature and mean precipitation for the 1979-2013 reference period.

The estimated exposure to future extreme climate impact events (crop failure, drought, river flood, wildfire, tropical cyclone, and heatwave) is based on a published dataset by Lange et al. 2020 derived from ISIMIP2b data. The same global climate models and RCPs as described above were used. Within each 30-year period, the number of years with an extreme event and the average proportion of the site affected were calculated (see Kiribou et al. subm. for details).

Table 8. Estimated past and projected climatological characteristics in Mount Cameroon National Park

Value	1981-2010	2021-2050, RCP 2.6	2021-2050, RCP 6.0	2071-2099, RCP 2.6	2071-2099, RCP 6.0
Mean temperature [C]	23.9	25	24.9	25.1	26.2
Annual precipitation [mm]	2529	2616	2663	2660	2625
Max no. consecutive dry days (per year)	43.6	28	29.5	25.5	31.3
No. days with heavy precipitation (per year)	6.2	6	6.7	7.2	6.8

Table 9. Projected exposure of apes to extreme climate impact events in Mount Cameroon National Park

Type	No. of years with event (2021-2050, RCP 2.6)	% of site exposed (2021-2050, RCP 2.6)	No. of years with event (2021-2050, RCP 6.0)	% of site exposed (2021-2050, RCP 6.0)	No. of years with event (2070-2099, RCP 2.6)	% of site exposed (2070-2099, RCP 2.6)	No. of years with event (2070-2099, RCP 6.0)	% of site exposed (2070-2099, RCP 6.0)
Crop failure	5	0.64	4	0.57	3	0.95	6	0.81
Drought	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Heatwave	0	0	0.5	50	1.5	100	3.5	100
River flood	2.25	0.51	0.5	0.03	1.75	1.76	4	1.47
Tropical cyclone	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Wildfire	30	0.41	30	0.42	29	0.41	29	0.44

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  Precipitation anomaly in Mount Cameroon National Park

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  Temperature anomaly in Mount Cameroon National Park

External links

Mount Cameroon National Park official website)

References

Boekee, K, and Orume, R. (2017). Camera trap survey report Mount Cameroon National Park. Project report. PSMNR-SWR, Buea. 116p.
Eno-Nku, M. (2013). Large mammal surveys of the Mt. Cameroon National Park, SW Region. WWF CCPO Coastal Forest Programme, Limbe, Cameroon.
Kupsch, D., and Sumbede, A. (2023). Camera, recce and acoustic monitoring of wildlife and human signs from 2020 to 2022 in three clusters in Mount Cameroon National Park. PSMNR-SWR bio-monitoring report. Buea, Cameroon. 85p.
Kupsch, D., Namolongo, E., Ngange, B., Nwese, S., and Sumbede, A. (2025). Community-based wildlife monitoring outcomes in 2024 in the Mt. Etinde hotspot in Mount Cameroon National Park. PSMNR-SWR bio-monitoring report. Buea, Cameroon. 37p.
Mount Cameroon National Park. (n.d.). Mount Cameroon National Park. https://www.mtcameroonnationalpark.org/
Mt Cameroon National Park (n.d.). WWF. https://cameroon.panda.org/places_landscapes/coastal_forests_programme/mt_cameroon_national_park/

Page created by: APES Atlas Team Date: 2021-09-28

Page updated by: Denish Kupsch & Anthoine Sumbede Date: 2025-08-25