Conservation of the African forest elephant (Loxodonta africana) in the Lobeke, south-east Cameroon

The Lobeke forest contains not only the largest elephant population of Cameroon, but also the highest density of elephant surveyed in the Central African rainforest. This study aimed at providing the information needed for the creation of a reserve in the Lobeke forest. Data were collected on the ecology of elephants as well as on the ecology of the indigenous peoples living in close proximity to the proposed reserve.

The study reviews the status of elephants in Africa and in Cameroon and descrives the Lobeke forest. Dropping counts along line transects were used for the study of the distribution and numbers of elephants in the proposed reserve. Daily activities and aspects of the population dynamics, such as the age structure, sex ratio and reproductive performance were studies by direct observations. The diet and crop depredation by elephant were also studied. The ecology of the indigenous peoples were assessed using data collected by direct observations in villages and in the forest, in conjunction with a questionnaire. The study focused on their demography, food restrictions and traditional activities such as hunting, fishing, gathering and farming.

It was found that: the Lobeke forest is an elephant refuge during the dry season; there are important movement of elephants in and out of the area over the seasonsl the Sangha drainage system is important for elephants in the Lobeke forest; the distribution of elephants is more related to food availability; the defecation rate does not vary over the seasons; forest elephant tend to associate in small groups; bark and leaves make up the bulk of their food and crop raiding is negligible in the Lobeke forest. For the indigenous peoples, the forest contributes to their daily subsistence needs as well as providing the means of earning cash income. It also provides them with medicine, building materials, fuel wood and materials for all sorts of household articles.

Throughout the discussion, comparisons to other elephant populations as well as other indigenous peoples are made. Aspects of the design of the future reserve are also discussed. The study concludes with a set of recommendations for the conservation of the elephant population in the Lobeke forest.