Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary
[1] The wildlife sanctuary was founded in 2000 to provide refuge for endangered animal species, including the Cross River gorilla, the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee, the drill and the gray-necked rockfowl.
Although the steep mountainous slopes of the sanctuary have largely protected the forest from logging, it is frequently damaged by dry-season bush fires that are set to clear land for farming or to catch game.
[2] Wildlife sanctuaries play a crucial role in preserving biodiversity and represent significant ecotourism potential, making them prominent sites for effective management and conservation efforts.
Anthropogenic activities like game exploitation, logging, farming, and urbanization in the vicinity of protected areas pose significant challenges to wildlife conservation, particularly in West Africa.
[12] Mammalian herbivores encompass mammals of various body sizes, both small and large, adapted to consuming plant materials and playing a fundamental role in rangeland dynamics.
Surrounding this protected area are sixteen human communities, which include Katabang, Buanchor, Olum, Enyi, Kakwagom, Esekwe, Ebok-Ebuawa, Asuben, Bitiah, Kakubok, Ndemachang, Katchie, Ebbaken, Okubuchi, Nkanyia, and Njua-Kaku.
The protected region is primarily situated in the tropical high forest vegetation zone and is rich in various tree species, including Pterocarpus osun, Albizia zygia, Parkia bicolor, Pycnanthus angolensis, Irvingia gabonensis, and Monodora myristica.
[17][18] Additionally, the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary (AMWS) is home to notable wildlife species such as the red river hog (Potamochoerus porcus),[15] bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus), Shelley’s eagle owl (Bubo Shelleyi), African piculet (Sasia africana), migrating European barn swallows (Hirundo rustica), and the bare-necked rock fowl (Picarthertes oreas).
[19] However, akin to numerous primate species, they encounter threats such as habitat degradation due to deforestation, hunting for bushmeat, and illegal wildlife trade.
Similar to many primates, the white-throated monkey serves a crucial role in its ecosystem by aiding in seed dispersal, promoting the growth and regeneration of plants and trees within the forest.
The Cross River gorilla, chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes vellorosus), and drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus) are among the primates protected by the Endangered Species Decree 11 of 1985, yet they face the threat of being hunted for bushmeat and other purposes.
[29] Reliable knowledge of the status and trends of animal populations, gathered through inventories and socio-ecological studies, is a fundamental requirement for successful wildlife conservation programs.
The Mbe Mountains host the nearest subpopulations of Cross River gorillas, making it a top priority for the AMWS partnership to safeguard the forested corridor connecting these areas.
The primary threat to the survival of mona monkeys is considered to be poaching for the bush meat trade, although habitat loss also poses a significant risk.
[37] The extensive destruction and inadequate management of Nigeria's forest ecosystems are evident and have been exacerbated by ecological crises and climate change, resulting in diminished soil fertility and a notable decline in overall biological productivity.
The Afi Mountains encompass remnants of the original rainforests in the Southern Nigeria eco-zone, representing a crucial hope for preserving the region's remaining biological diversity over the long term.
Moreover, it stands as a prominent site contributing to the achievement of the nation's tourism objectives, featuring appealing tourist attractions for potential visitors in Southern Nigeria.
While they are widespread, they are no longer secure due to intense human-induced impacts such as poaching, uncontrolled collection of non-timber forest products, unsustainable agricultural practices, logging of wild trees for timber, and indiscriminate bush burning.
[45] Similar to other large mammals, primates are relatively easy to survey because they are conspicuous and face significant hunting pressure,[46] making them valuable indicator species.
While hunting has been kept under control in the surrounding communities through proper awareness, the sanctuary holds a partnership with individuals to enable continuous protection of its forest and wildlife.
Although the steep mountainous slopes of the sanctuary have largely protected it from logging the forest is frequently damaged by dry-season bush fires set to clear new farms or to flush game.
