7 Most Critically Endangered Animal Species in Cameroon

   There is a scary large number of species going extinct today. Numerous families of plants and animals, disappearing from the face of the earth. According to the species-area theory, the present rate of extinction may be up to 140,000 species per year. This sickening loss of biodiversity is as a result of human activity; from deforestation, over fishing and ocean acidification, to a ballooning human population with corresponding profilage consumption… the majority of this extinction is thought to still be undocumented.

Cameroon has often been called 'Africa in miniature', for how much it mirrors the continent’s diversity - especially ecologically. In fact, Cameroon hosts roughly 90 percent of all the ecosystem types found in Africa making it the fifth most bio-diverse country on the continent. Cameroon is no country noted with the highest level of species extinction; however, it is no exception to the decline in global biodiversity. So, we’ll countdown 7 of the most critically endangered animal species in Cameroon.

(This list is not exhaustive, there are several much other critically endangered species not listed here)

7.    The African Grey Parrot

          SN:  Psittacus erithacus

            These birds are usually kept by humans as a companion parrot, prized for their ability to mimic human speech and just about any sound... So intelligent, they have been shown to perform at the cognitive level of a 4 to 6-year-old child in some tasks and can live in captivity for up to 40 years. Humans are by far the largest threat to wild African grey parrot populations. Between 1994 and 2003, over 359,000 African grey parrots were traded on the international market and about 21% of the population of these wild birds are being harvested every year. This bird is also hunted for meat and for  traditional medicines. The species is believed to be undergoing a rapid decline in the wild and has therefore been rated as endangered by the IUCN. Between 120,100 and 259,000 African gray parrots remain worldwide. Their populations are thought to be a little stable in Cameroon, and in the Congo an estimated 15,000 are taken every year for the pet trade, from the eastern part of the country. A population study published in 2015 proclaimed that the species had been ″virtually eliminated″ from Ghana... they were found in only 10 of 42 forested areas. 

6.   The Western Lowland Gorilla

      SN: Gorilla gorilla gorilla

           The Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) is one of two subspecies of the western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) which lives in tropical rain forests in Central African countries including Cameroon.  Their population in the wild is threatened by extinction owing to deforestation, bush meat trade and the expanding human settlements that cause forest loss. The exact number of western Lowland gorillas remains unknown… but their population is estimated at 100,000. They are found only in the South West Region of Cameroon… especially on the Buea Mountain. After an Ebola Outbreak in Congo which drastically reduced gorilla population between 2002 and 2004, IUCN updated the status of western lowland gorillas from "endangered" to "critically endangered". They are believed to be one of the zoonotic origins of HIV/AIDS.  

             The Western lowland gorillas are seed dispersers… their decline means poor seed distribution and a corresponding decline in the growth of forest trees… This will lead to a loss of habitat and decrease in population of several other species. …. offsetting the food chain, causing climate change and a ripple of damaging effects on the whole ecosystem, the atmosphere and the entire earth. 

5.   The Goliath Frog

          SN: Conraua goliath

         The Goliath Frog or Giant Slippery Frog is the largest living frog on Earth. Specimens can grow up to 12.6 in and can weigh up to 7kg… much more than the size of a new born baby. The goliath frog is found in fast-flowing rivers of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea and can live for up to 15 years in the wild. They are mostly found in the Mungo Division from Lum up towards Melon. Their actual range spans from the last 200 km of the Sanaga basin in Cameroon to the north to the last 50 km of the Benito River basin in Equatorial Guinea to the south. Goliath frogs are considered to be a source of food in some parts of their native range and are also extensively exported to zoos and animal dealers to be sold as pets… for this reason, there has been a drastic decline in their population. Unfortunately, these frogs fail to thrive in captivity and almost never reproduce there. There is currently no published information on their exact population.

4.   The Nigeria-Cameroon Chimpanzee

      SN: Pan troglodytes ellioti 

         They are subspecies of the Common Chimpanzee found in rain forests along the Nigeria Cameroon boarder. They are recognized as the most threatened and least distributed of all common chimpanzee subspecies. Without a dramatic change in human behavior in the area, there will be extinction in the coming decades. They can be found in the Banyang-Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary, Ebo Wildlife Reserve and other parks in Cameroon… and also in Nigerian National Parks. There’s an estimated 50-80% reduction in chimpanzee population between 1980 and 2060 (that is… less than 3 generations… a generation estimated at 25 years). Less than 6,000 Nigeria-Cameroon Chimpanzees are left in the world today.

3.   African White-bellied Pangolin 
               SN: Phataginus tricuspis

            They are the only mammals with large reproductive keratin scales on their skin. Pangolins are haunted and eaten in many parts of Africa. They are the most popular type of bush meat and are being eaten out of existence. They are in high demand in china and Vietnam because their meat is considered a delicacy and many believe that pangolin scales have medicinal qualities. Though many attempts to reproduce pangolins in captivity failed because of their reliance on wide-range habitats, recent research has been able to improve artificial pangolin habitats to allow for reproduction of pangolins, providing hope for future reintroduction of these species into their natural habitat. Over the past decade, over one million pangolins have been illegally trafficked making it the most trafficked animal in the world. In 2014, the IUCN categorized all  8 species of pangolins on the red list of species threatened with extinction.

 2.    Cross-river Gorilla       
              SN:  Gorilla gorilla diehli

        Over half of the world's wild primates face extinction today. Researchers warn of an approaching ‘major extinction event’ if action is not taken to protect about 300 species, including gorillas and chimps. The cross-river gorilla is a subspecies of the western gorilla. They were thought to be extinct before they were rediscovered in the forest hills and mountains of the Cameroon/Nigeria boarder, at the head waters of the Cross River in Nigeria.

               The gorillas live in thick rain forests away from settlement and they require a lot of space for survival. Studies however reveal that there is enough forest but deforestation affects other aspects of their survival… hindering their ecosystem and harming them indirectly.  There has been a 59% decline in their population between 1995 and 2010 and there is only 1 recorded cross-river gorilla in captivity in the Limbe Wildlife Centre. Ebola infection, loss of habitat from mining, agriculture and timber usage caused the IUCN to rate the cross-river gorilla as the most critically endangered ape. A 2014 study estimated that less than 250 mature Cross-river gorillas remain on earth… making them the world’s rarest apes. The Kargwene Gorilla Sanctuary was created by the Cameroon government on April 3^rd 2008 as part of the IUCN’s Cross-river gorilla plan.

1.   The Western Black Rhinoceros

         (EXTINCT)

            This animal was one of the 3 subspecies of the black ‘rhinoceros’. They had 2 keratin horns on their skull and their lips were somewhat square. The Western Black Rhinoceros used to live in Central Africa including South Sudan, North Central African Republic, South Chad, S.E. Niger and Northern Cameroon. The last known wild specimen lived in Northern Cameroon. Only 10 western black rhinos were found in Cameroon in 2004 and after a 2006 intensive survey across it’s putative range in Cameroon, none was found and on November 10^th 2011, the IUCN declared the Western Black Rhinoceros extinct.

          The more species get extinct, the more many more species get extinct… and the more dangerous and aggressive the offset in the ecosystem becomes… and the more the life-carrying capacity of our planet earth is being destroyed. Don’t think that this doesn’t concern you or affect you…  When God gave us the earth, it was perfect. No finger pointing, we all create this mess… now let’s put our hands together and fix it one day at a time. Don’t say there’s nothing you can do… no… at least you can talk about it and raise awareness… Let’s protect nature where we are with what we have just as we are...

 

from Inspire Me Docs... in Partnership with Zoe Communications

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                                  Conceived and Presented by Mac Alunge of Strawacademy 

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Wisdom, Success & Wealth

             Once upon a time, in a place in a far far way, there lived a very poor couple: Mr and Mrs Saji and their 9-year-old daughter Miriam. On a beautiful Sunday morning this family was visited by three men...

           These men where dressed in what looked like sack cloth and each of them held a stick. They arrived at the front porch of their house and knocked on the door...

        Mrs Saji opened it up and they said warmly: “Peace be with you and your family, please tell us where your husband is”...

          She responded, ”He is out fishing but please come in and sit, I will make breakfast”, but they denied saying “We will sit outside until he returns”...

         A couple of minutes later, Mr Saji returned home and together with his wife and daughter, he went to meet the men. 

           He introduced himself formally and asked them to do the same... They responded: “Our names are Wisdom, Success and Wealth”.

       “O really!”, Mr Saji exclaimed “Please come into my poor home and bless my family”. But the men responded, “Only one of us can come in, we are sorry, but you will have to choose”.Left in this crescent array of alternatives, Mr Saji made his choice: “I am a poor man, I have been struggling to provide for my family, I will love Wealth to come in and change my life”. 

           Mrs Saji was not pleased with this decision. She said: “I do think that Success comes Wealth. Please let Success come in”, she demanded, but Mr Saji will not agree and the couple began to argue.

              In the middle of this argument, their little daughter, Miriam entered the scene saying: “Mum, Dad, let wisdom come in and transform us from within; so that we will not only have wealth and success now, but for the rest of our lives”. After a lot of strife, the family decided to let wisdom in.

              When wisdom entered the house, they were surprised to find that success followed wisdom and wealth followed success.

 

In confusion, Mrs Saji demanded, “Did you guys not say that just one of you could come in”, but the men responded, “Wherever wisdom goes, success goes and wherever success goes, wealth goes”. This is true anywhere and everywhere...

from Inspire Me Magazine

(Episode 1)

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Cancer of the Cervix

              Cervical cancer is caused by certain types of the human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV is a common sexually transmitted viral infection affecting an estimated 80% of sexually active women at some point in their lives.  Most HPV infections clear by themselves but some high risk types can cause cell changes on the cervix that may lead to cervical cancer 10 to 20 years after infection.

RISK FACTORS

         The following can increase the risk of developing the disease

¨ Sexual activity

¨ Smoking

¨ Diethylstilbestrol (DES) Daughters of women who were given the drug DES during pregnancy to prevent miscarriage are at increased risk of developing cervical cancer.

¨  Use of oral contraceptives

¨ Weakened Immune System… e.g. Diabetes or HIV

 SYMPTOMS

During the early stages of cervical cancer there are often no symptoms at all but the most common symptom experienced is abnormal vaginal bleeding. Others are:

· Unusual vaginal discharge

· Pain in the pelvic area

· Excessive tiredness

· Swollen or painful legs

· Lower back pain.

 DIAGNOSIS

A number of different tests are used to diagnose cervical cancer. The first step is a pelvic examination, which may be performed by a general practitioner or gynecologist. Once the results from this test are available, other tests performed by a gynecologist may include a colposcopy (with or without a biopsy) or cone biopsy.

 TREATMENT

Treatment of cervical cancer depends on extent of the cancer, the stage of the disease and the woman’s age and general health. It may include some form of surgical intervention, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or a combination of these treatments.

 PREVENTION

¨ Cervical Screening (A pap smear at least once every 3 years)

¨ HPV Vaccine for girls at 12 years of age. For maximum protection the full three-dose course should be taken.

5 Most Ultimate Success Principles

                   Winning is a habit... so is losing. Apply these 5 principles... and you will win anywhere and everywhere...  

     1.         Dream Big

                 Life is a journey; without movement, advancement and progression, there is no life. We were created by God to be goal-oriented visionaries. Without a vision, a goal, a dream, life becomes boring and hopeless. Every great business, movie or work of art, started out with a great vision or dream. God told Abraham: ‘As far as your eyes can see, so shall you receive from me’. God can give you only as much as you are willing to see in your mind.

                                                                             Joyce Meyer from Joyce Meyer Ministries

               

2.      Take Action

          Before Jesus died on the cross, He said: ‘It is finished’. This means to me that my health, destiny, success and happiness is already assured; because God has already done it for me. God preordained   it from the foundations of the earth that I will excel. This is true, but its up to me to act on this Word. It will all mean nothing if I do not take action. Take action, make one step and God will make two.

                                                                              Frank Edwards… Nigerian Gospel Singer

     3.         Be Consistent

                      People usually ask me how I’ve managed to write and publish 73 different books and I always tell them; the secret lies in my ‘Everyday’.  There are five things I do everyday. I read, I think, I file, I ask questions and I write. I do these things everyday… including Sundays, Christmas days and holidays. I started filing at the age 17, now I am 70; I have never missed a day. 

                                                                                           John C. Maxwell…  Leadership Trainer

  4.      Do What you Love

                          Sometimes life can hit you with a brick… don’t lose faith. I am convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did; and that is true for work as it is for your lover. The only way to be satisfied with what you do is to do what you believe is great work and the only way to do great work is to love what you do. 

                                                                                           Steve Jobs of Apple Computers

5.         Be Persistent

             The cold in Russia usually makes soccer practice very difficult; but regardless of the nature of the whether, one must never surrender. I think one of the reasons why I made it this big is that I never minimize a practice session. When you have an ambition, hard work and persistence are the vehicles used to get you there

                                                                             Samuel Eto’o Fils … Cameroonian Football Star

from Inspire Me Magazine ... Episode 1

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Omotola Jalade Ekeinde ... The story behind the glory

                Omotola Jalade Ekeinde (born on Feb 7th 1978) is a Nigerian actress, philanthropist and former model of Ondo descent from Lagos, Nigeria. Since her Nollywood film debut in 1995, the leading actress has appeared in over 300 films, selling millions of video copies.  She is the first African celebrity to receive over 1 million likes on her Facebook page.  

                   In 2013, she was honoured in Time Magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world alongside Michelle Obama, Beyonce and Kate Middleton. Omotola grew up with a family of five, her parents and two younger brothers. She completed her studies at Yaba College of Technology in 2004, where she studied Estate Management. She was introduced to acting when accompanying a friend to an audition. Her first acting role was in the 1995 movie, Venom of Justice, directed by Reginald Ebere. Reginald has been cited as launching Omotola's career. Since then,  she has starred in several blockbuster movies, including Games Women Play, Blood Sisters, All My Life, Last Wedding,  and a host of others.

                Omotola received her first cinematic movie role in the 2010 film, Ije. In 2012, she starred in the Nollywood blockbuster thriller Last Flight to   Abuja which beat Hollywood blockbusters like Spiderman, Think like a Man, Ice Age, The Avengers, and Madagascar to become the 2nd highest grossing movie in West African cinemas in 2012. Omotola has gone on to win over 40 domestic and international awards. She is considered Africa's biggest box office actress.