La Belgique
Central Africa > Cameroon > La Belgique
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Summary
- Central chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) & western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) are present in La Belgique.
- The population size is unknown.
- The population trend is unknown.
- The total area of the site is 32.4 km².
- The major reported threats include bushmeat hunting and the gathering of non-timber forest products.
- The main conservation activities include education and awareness-raising, providing monetary benefits to the local community, and conducting research and tourism projects.
Site characteristics
Table 1. Basic site information for La Belgique
| Species | Pan troglodytes troglodytes, Gorilla gorilla gorilla |
| Area | 32.4 km² |
| Coordinates | Lat: 3.560550 , Lon: 13.298692 |
| Type of site | Non-protected area |
| Habitat types | Subtropical/tropical dry forest, Subtropical/tropical moist lowland forest, Wetlands (lakes, rivers, streams, bogs, marshes) |
| Type of governance | Shared governance |
Types of sites Governance types Habitat types
Ape status
Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for La Belgique
| 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 troglodytes | 2008 | Present | 1.50 (0.33) | La Belgique | Line transects | Tagg et al. 2015 | Line transect nest count surveys (150 transects, each 600 m and spaced 600 m apart) were conducted across all habitat types, recording individual nests with builder identity confirmed by associated signs such as footprints and dung. | ||||
| Gorilla gorilla gorilla | 2008 | Present | 0.48 (0.18) | La Belgique | Line transects | Tagg et al. 2015 | Line transect nest count surveys (150 transects, each 600 m and spaced 600 m apart) were conducted across all habitat types, recording individual nests with builder identity confirmed by associated signs such as footprints and dung. | ||||
| Pan troglodytes troglodytes | 2009-2010 | Present | 28.51 | 0.13 (0.07-0.24) | La Belgique | Line transects | Distance sampling with survey specific decay time | Tagg & Willlie, 2013 | Estimate from old transects; however, estimate from new transects higher: 0.32 [0.25-0.41]. In 2009 surveys, the marginal mean number of chimpanzee nests per transect was 1.91 on old transects and 28.51 on new transects. | ||
| Gorilla gorilla gorilla | 2009-2010 | Present | 2.57 | 0.09 (0.04-0.21) | La Belgique | Line transects | Distance sampling with survey specific decay time | Tagg & Willlie, 2013 | Estimate from old transects; however, estimate from new transects higher: 0.15 [0.04-0.59]. In 2009 surveys, the marginal mean number of gorilla nests per transect was 0.31 on old transects and 2.57 on new transects. | ||
| Pan troglodytes troglodytes | 2015-2016 | Present | 4.97 (4.5) | Forest management unit 10048 | Line transects | Tedonzong et al. 2017 | |||||
| Gorilla gorilla gorilla | 2015-2016 | Present | 3.48 (4.7) | Forest management unit 10049 | Line transects | Tedonzong et al. 2017 | |||||
| Pan troglodytes troglodytes | 2021 | Present | 0.47 | La Belgique | Line transects | Willie, pers. comm. 2025 | |||||
| Gorilla gorilla gorilla | 2021 | Present | 0.23 | La Belgique | Line transects | Willie, pers. comm. 2025 |
Sampling methods Analytical frameworks
Threats
Table 3. Threats to apes reported for La Belgique
| Category | Specific threats | Threat level | Description | Year of threat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Biological resource use | 5.1.1 Subsistence bushmeat hunting | Low (up to 30% of population affected) | Signs of human presence (e.g. signs of hunting) reduced density of apes (Tagg & Willie, 2013). | 2009-Ongoing (2025) |
| 5 Biological resource use | 5.2 Gathering terrestrial plants | Low (up to 30% of population affected) | Collection of non-timber forest products for local use on a small magnitute (Tagg & Willies, 2013) | 2009-Ongoing (2025) |
| 8 Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | 8.4 Pathogens | Present (unknown severity) | Potential risk of disease transmission between humans and apes, in both directions (D. Mbohli & N. Tagg. pers. comm. 2025). | Ongoing (2025) |
| 5 Biological resource use | 5.1.5 Persecution/human wildlife conflict | Present (unknown severity) | Conflicts between humans and great apes occurs due to feelings of insecurity among people, aggressive interactions initiated by apes, competition over shared water sources and natural resources like forest fruits, accidental meetings on trails, and cases where apes are killed for cultural practices or commercial purposes (D. Mbohli & N. Tagg. pers. comm. 2025). | Ongoing (2025) |
Conservation activities
La Belgique is a research station located in the forest, approximately 15 km from the nearest village. While the station itself is situated in the forest, conservation activities primarily take place in the surrounding villages, which rely on this forest tract for hunting, gathering, and passage (N. Tagg. pers. comm. 2025). Since 2001, the site was managed by Projet Grands Singes (PGS) with support from Antwerp Zoo’s Centre for Research and Conservation (CRC). Their work concluded in December 2021, after which the local partner, Association pour la Protection des Grands Singes (APGS) has continued operations with support from the Born Free Foundation (BFF), since April 2022 (N. Tagg. pers. comm. 2025). Conservation activities - including education and awareness, economic and other incentives, and countering wildlife crime, were secondary priorities for PGS and Antwerp Zoo’s CRC (Zoo Science 2024) until December 2021. From April 2022, these activities, together with habitat restoration have become the primary focus of APGS and funder BFF (N. Tagg. pers. comm. 2025).
Table 4. Conservation activities reported for La Belgique
| Category | Specific activity | Description | Implementing organization(s) | Year of activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Education & awareness | 4.1 Educate local communities about apes and sustainable use | Until 2021, raising awareness and educating local communities about great apes was only a secondary activity of Projet Grands Singes (Zoo Science 2024). | Projet Grands Singes (PGS), Antwerp Zoo's Center for Research and Conservation
|
2001-2021 |
| 4 Education & awareness | 4.1 Educate local communities about apes and sustainable use | Since 2022, this work has become a primary focus for APGS and BFF (D. Mbohli & N. Tagg. pers. comm. 2025). APGS and BFF currently support teachers and the operation of the local primary school, help develop conservation lesson plans for classroom use, and provide teacher training (N. Tagg. pers. comm. 2025, Guardians of Dja - Born Free). | Association pour la Protection des Grands Singes (APGS) & Born Free Foundation (BFF)
|
2022-Ongoing (2025) |
| 4 Education & awareness | 4.2 Involve local community in ape research and conservation management | Local communities are involved in conservation programmes. Under the work of PGS and Antwerp Zoo’s CRC, local people were previously hired to work in conservation activities. However, this programme ended in 2021 (N. Tagg. pers. comm. 2025). | Projet Grands Singes (PGS), Antwerp Zoo's Center for Research and Conservation | 2001-2021 |
| 4 Education & awareness | 4.2 Involve local community in ape research and conservation management | Since 2022, APGS and BFF have continued the conservation work, engaging community members through outreach initiatives in nearby villages. Regular events and awareness sessions are organised to promote understanding of wildlife and conservation issues (D. Mbohli & N. Tagg. pers. comm. 2025, Guardians of Dja - Born Free). | Association pour la Protection des Grands Singes (APGS), and Born Free Foundation (BFF), Local communities | 2022-Ongoing (2025) |
| 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) | During the period of management by PGS and Antwerp Zoo’s CRC, local people were employed in conservation programs as research guides, assistants, and in related roles. However, this program ended in 2021 (D. Mbohli & N. Tagg, pers. comm., 2025). In addition as a secondary conservation activity, Projet Grands Singes (PGS) implemented “Reciprocal Environmental Agreements” with community members to reduce poaching by providing alternative sources of income and technical support (Zoo Science 2024). | Projet Grands Singes (PGS), Antwerp Zoo's Center for Research and Conservation | 2001-2021 |
| 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) | Since 2022, APGS and BFF have supported local people through skills training and the local agroforestry school, providing them with tools and equipment to establish reliable and sustainable trades such as cocoa or pepper cultivation (D. Mbohli & N. Tagg. pers. comm. 2025, Guardians of Dja - Born Free). | Association pour la Protection des Grands Singes (APGS) & the Born Free Foundation (BFF) | 2022-Ongoing (2025) |
| 8 Permanent presence | 8.1 Run research project and ensure permanent human presence at site | The conservation and development project 'Projet Grands Singes' (PGS), an initiative of Antwerp Zoo’s Centre for Research and Conservation, started research activities in 2001 to protect endangered species and help local communities in sustainable natural resource management (Zoo Science 2024). | Projet Grands Singes (PGS), Antwerp Zoo's Center for Research and Conservation | 2001-2021 |
| 8 Permanent presence | 8.2 Run tourist projects and ensure permanent human presence at site | A secondary conservation activity of 'Projet Grands Singes' (Zoo Science 2024). | Projet Grands Singes (PGS), Antwerp Zoo's Center for Research and Conservation | 2001-2021 |
| 2 Counter-wildlife crime | 2.3 Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols | Anti-poaching patrols, Great Ape Guardians, and law enforcement operations are aimed at controlling illegal activities. With the current support of BFF, these patrols have become more regular, resulting in a significantly positive impact on the environment (D. Mbohli & N. Tagg. pers. comm. 2025, Guardians of Dja - Born Free). | Association pour la Protection de Grands Singes (APGS), Born Free Foundation (BFF) | 2022-Ongoing (2025) |
| 5 Protection & restoration | 5.6 Habitat restoration | Protecting and restoring forests activities reported (D. Mbohli & N. Tagg. pers. comm. 2025, Guardians of Dja - Born Free). | Born Free Foundation (BFF), Association pour la Protection de Grands Singes (APGS) | 2022-Ongoing (2025) |
Challenges
Table 5. Challenges reported for La Belgique
| Challenges | Specific challenges | Source | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Engaged community | 3.2 Lack of youth engagement | Zoo Science 2024 | 2001-2021 |
| 3 Engaged community | 3.5 Anticipated disadvantages/costs created by conservation activities (e.g., restricted access/resource use) | Zoo Science 2024 | 2001-2021 |
| 2 Resources and capacity | 2.3 General lack of funding | D. Mbohli & N. Tagg. pers. comm. 2025 | 2022-Ongoing (2025) |
| 2 Resources and capacity | 2.1 Lack of capacity/training | D. Mbohli & N. Tagg. pers. comm. 2025 | 2022-Ongoing (2025) |
| 2 Resources and capacity | 2.2 Lack of staff | D. Mbohli & N. Tagg. pers. comm. 2025 | 2022-Ongoing (2025) |
Enablers
Table 6. Enablers reported for La Belgique
| Enablers | Specific enablers | Source | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Resources and capacity | 2.6 External partnerships that add expertise or resources | D. Mbohli & N. Tagg. pers. comm. 2025, Guardians of Dja - Born Free | 2001-2021, 2022-Ongoing (2025) |
| 3 Engaged community | 3.5 Positive past experience/associations with conservation (e.g. positive image of conservation) | Tagg et al. 2015, Zoo Science 2024 | 2001-2021 |
| 3 Engaged community | 3.6 Local community engagement and support | Tagg et al. 2015, Zoo Science 2024, Guardians of Dja - Born Free | 2001-2021, 2022-Ongoing (2025) |
Research activities
Projet Grands Singes' (PGS) has been managing the research site 'La Belgique' is since 2001 supported by Antwerp Zoo’s Centre for Research and Conservation (Tagg et al., 2015). Focus of the research program is great ape socio-ecology and surveys. In addition, there are several PhD studies that have taken place in La Belgique (D. Mbohli, N. Tagg, & J. Willie. pers. comm. 2025). the details are listed below:
- Isra Deblauwe (2008)
PhD Project: Comparative study of insectivory in sympatric western lowland gorillas and chimpanzees in the lowland rainforests of southeast Cameroon.
- Eric Arnhem (2008)
PhD Project: Eco-ethological responses of great apes and other rainforest mammals to selective logging in Cameroon.
- Jacob Willie (2012)
PhD Project: Herbaceous plant community structure in southeast Cameroon: ecological drivers and usage by western lowland gorillas.
Notes: Thesis available.
- Charles-Albert Petre (2016)
PhD Project: Effectiveness of western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) seed dispersal and plant–gorilla mutualism in southeast Cameroon.
Notes: Thesis available.
- Mélodie Dieudonné (2016)
PhD Project: La viande des uns, la faune des autres. Anthropological analysis of wildlife conservation practices in three Badjoué villages in the forest zone of Eastern Cameroon.
Notes: Thesis available.
- Luc Tedonzong (2018)
PhD Project: Ecological and anthropogenic drivers shaping the distribution and abundance of two Afrotropical rainforest mammals.
Notes: Thesis available.
- Jacques Kuenbou (2024)
PhD Project: Linking reciprocal environmental agreements to wildlife community structure, poverty alleviation, and livelihoods in southeast Cameroon.
Notes: Thesis available.
Documented behaviours
Table 7. Behaviours documented for La Belgique
| Category | Behavior | Observation type | Prevalence | Observation dates | Source | Habituation | Species | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not reported |
Exposure to climate change impacts
External links
Guardians of Dja - Born Free
Zoo Science
References
Tagg, N., & Willie, J. (2013). The influence of transect use by local people and reuse of transects for repeated surveys on nesting in western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and central chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodyte s) in southeast Cameroon. International Journal of Primatology, 34(3), 554-570.
Tagg, N., Willie, J., Duarte, J., Petre, C.-A., & Fa, J.E. (2015). Conservation research presence protects: a case study of great ape abundance in the Dja region, Cameroon. Animal Conservation, 18, 489–498. DOI: 10.1111/acv.12212
Tédonzong, L.R.D., Willie, J., Keuko, A.M.P., Kuenbou, J.K., Njotah, G., Tchamba, M.N., Tagg, N., & Lens, L. (2018). Using abundance and habitat variables to identify high conservation value areas for threatened mammals. Biodiversity and Conservation, 27(5), 1115–1137. DOI: 10.1007/s10531-017-1483-9.
Page created by: Winnie Eckardt Date: 2024-11-30 09:34:00
Page updated by: Dr Nikki Tagg, Donald Mbohli, Dr Jacob Willie Date: 2025-12-01