In fact, it is estimated that 500-1000 Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes ellioti) live in the sanctuary, and there are only 3500–9000 in the entire world.

Due to this great abundance of animals the area has been set aside as a wildlife sanctuary, with a ban on all hunting.

In fact, the Banyang-Mbo sanctuary suffers from well organized commercial poaching, where professional hunters come into the area, kill animals and transport the meat to large cities to be sold.

This illegal hunting combined with habitat degradation is a major problem in the Banyang-Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary.

[citation needed] The conservation efforts have failed in the past due to a lack of funding, enforcement of regulations, staffing, interest, long-term commitment etc.