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. 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.
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 3rd 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 10th 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
Watch the full Documentary Here...
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(It is not a link... so please copy and paste on your title bar)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn2qlbulkAw&feature=youtu.be
Conceived and Presented by Mac Alunge of Strawacademy
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