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Zena Tooze

Last updated 18/06/2008 16:55:22

Primates in West Africa have been decimated by many years of intensive hunting for Bushmeat, together with disappearing habitats through deforestation.

The good news is there IS viable rainforest remaining and that rainforest has fantastic wildlife populations that CAN be saved for future generations to enjoy and benefit from.

The rainforests of Cross River State are some of the richest forests on the African continent and are of worldwide importance as one of Africa's 5 biodiversity hotspots. Over 60% of Nigeria's endangered plant and animal species are found within these forests and nowhere else in Nigeria.

CERCOPAN believes that we can conserve this forest and wildlife – and has positive experiences from people in the rural communities to add weight to this belief. Together we draw together over 20 years of experience working in West Africa to protect primates and their natural rainforest habitat.

We are determined to keep our overheads small; our director has worked as a volunteer full time for over 15 years and in the UK we have no office or paid staff.

CERCOPAN's Origins

Born in 1995, CERCOPAN began with merely a name (derived from the two genera of forest monkeys "Cerco"pithecus and "Cerco"cebus, and PAN, the Greek word for forest), one salaried staff and one volunteer. Originally established as a sanctuary to rehabilitate confiscated primates, CERCOPAN was desperately needed when the new National Park started confiscating illegally kept wildlife - within a year we expanded to include environmental education as a cornerstone of our work.

We continued to expand our remit; in order to reflect our diverse work in education, biodiversity research, forest conservation, community development and livelihoods, we were reborn in 2004 with a new name for our programme in Nigeria– the Centre for Education, Research and Conservation of Primates and Nature.

We now have 40 local staff and 4 international full time volunteers, and in 2006 we became a registered charity in the UK with a 7 member board of trustees.

 

Community Conservation Program

Despite the oil wealth of Nigeria, Cross River State's rural communities are poor – 70% live below the poverty line and the vast majority have little access to clean water, healthcare or free education.

CERCOPAN has one of the most successful community conservation programs in the country, and has been working with Iko Esai for 9 years – through this work over 15,000 hectares of rainforest are protected – by the rural poor. There are many components which contributed to the success of this programme, but one of the most important is the mutual trust and respect we worked hard to establish; we provide real economic incentives through training, employment, ecotourism royalties and community development funds.

Small scale ecotourism is a key component for developing alternative income sources, and will provide an income to the centre for operational needs. In consultation with the community, a system of "tourism royalties" was established as part of the community conservation programme, in which a portion of the income from ecotourism goes directly to the community, effectively replacing royalties formerly obtained from timber exploitation.

Replacing income from destructive practices is vital and in 2006 CERCOPAN started a sustainable livelihoods program in Iko Esai. We worked with the youth to sponsor alternative livelihood apprenticeships (driving, sewing, baking); trained and sponsored hunters in snail farming, and helped the women's group to start beekeeping cooperatives.

Recognition for the Community Leaders: In October 2006, the traditional rulers of the Iko Esai community were recognized by the Cross River State Governor in a special ceremony which highlighted their contribution to conservation - a first for the state.

Environmental Education

Environmental education outreach programmes are a cornerstone of our success, and we reach thousands of young people every year through educational activities – which are helping to ensure the forests and primates of Cross River State will be protected in perpetuity.

This includes outreach to over 34 secondary schools and 12 primary schools, assisting with conservation clubs, organizing an annual rally for secondary schools on World Environment Day (attended by 1000's of school children), and liaising with radio and television. We were very proud when in 2007 Education Officer Jerry Akparawa won an international award – the Charles Southwick Award for Environmental Education.

Primate Rescue and Rehabilitation

Rescue and rehabilitation of guenons and mangabeys who are victims of habitat loss and the unsustainable bush meat trade is also an integral part of our conservation work. To date over 140 primates of 6 species – all largely unknown by the general public -- are being rehabilitated at CERCOPAN. Incredibly beautiful and charismatic species, three of these (the Sclater's guenon, Preuss's guenon and the red-eared guenon) are endemic to this extremely diverse region of Africa. In 2007 we started reintroducing some of these rescued primates back to their natural habitat, the rainforest of Iko Esai.

Biodiversity and Ecological Research

Research conducted at our forest centre adds to scientific data on this little known but highly diverse and valuable forest and its wildlife, and helps us to make sound management decisions. New to science species have been discovered in different animal and plant groups – from amphibians to butterflies to trees – with more expected. Our current research on reintroduction will provide valuable information to future reintroduction projects, vital for restoring biodiversity around the world.

A small but dynamic charity like CERCOPAN with large ideas and a dedicated staff can make a real difference.