Status of Medium-sized Mammals in Mbi Crater Game Reserve, North West Region, Cameroon Case Study of: Blue Duiker (Cephalophus monticola) and Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus)

Abstract

This study was carried out in the dry season between the months of November 2013 and February 2014. The goal was to contribute to the conservation of mammals through the establishment of base line information on mammal population in Mbi Crater Game Reserve (MCGR). The recce- transect method was used during the inventory. Seven (7) recce of 0.5 km each and fourteen (14) line transects of 0.5 km long were surveyed within the reserve making a total effort of 11 km. One hundred and twenty eight (128) questionnaires were administered to the local population, twenty four (24) semi-structured interviews to households and eight (8) focus group discussions with local chiefs and notables to get local people’s perceptions about wildlife conservation in MCGR. Nine (9) species of medium sized mammals were recorded within the reserve. The family Bovidae was well represented. Bushbuck and blue duiker were the most abundant mammal species with an encounter rate of 1.09 and 0.73 signs/km respectively. Mammals had higher densities in the west and southwest section of the reserve because of low intensity of anthropogenic activities. Hunting was the most frequent anthropogenic activity recorded in the study area. Only 37.5% variation in the encounter rate of medium mammals was provoked by anthropogenic activities. A majority of respondents acknowledged the reserve was important because they depended on it for bush meat, medicinal plants, and water. Other respondents considered the reserve as a liability and complained of restricted access and constant raiding of their farms by monkeys from the reserve. A greater fraction of respondents declared the community was not involved in managing the reserve. We can generally recommend that the government adopts a participatory management approach, establishing a joint anti-poaching team and provide alternative sources of protein to local people to reduce unsustainable hunting in the reserve. The government should also establish a compensation mechanism for those whose crops are constantly raided by animals from the reserve and organize mass sensitization programs for local communities on the importance of wildlife conservation.