Let the ape have ginger!

Protection of great apes - working together with the local population

Be it in TV ads, computer games, shirt designs or feature films: according to the cliché, monkeys feed on bananas. Why is that? After all, bananas originate from Southeast Asia, were only brought to Africa a few hundred years ago and are therefore not part of the natural diet of gorillas and chimpanzees. In nature, these endangered great apes feed mainly on various wild plants (Stanford & Nkurunungi, 2003). The right mix, including immune-boosting wild ginger, is essential for their health (Cousins & Huffman, 2002). In Cameroon, former poachers are increasingly becoming conservationists: among other things, they collect wild ginger for the wholesome and natural diet of endangered apes. And local women farmers also profit from selling plants to the ape orphanage. This shows a way how people and nature can live together successfully!

Background

Gorillas are acutely threatened with extinction (Maisels et al., 2018), chimpanzees highly endangered (Humle et al., 2016). The gorilla population is declining by up to 30,000 animals per year, mainly due to poaching (Maisels et al., 2018). The decline in chimpanzee populations is also alarming (Humle et al., 2016). In Cameroon and many other countries in Central and West Africa, apes are hunted for ‘bushmeat’ (Mbete et al., 2011; Rose, 1996). Gorillas and chimpanzees are particularly sought after despite strict protection. This is because ammunition is expensive and hunters prefer the largest possible prey (Wright & Priston, 2010). In addition, the meat and body parts of chimpanzees and gorillas are believed to have restorative or healing properties (Angwafo & Chou, 2016; Etiendem et al., 2011).
In order to stop poaching, two aspects are particularly important: education and involvement of the local population, which should benefit directly from the protection of the animals (Robbins, 2020). The Limbe Wildlife Centre in southwest Cameroon cares for about 200 rescued primates, including 43 chimpanzees and 15 gorillas: With about 40,000 visitors a year, its youth group Nature Club and educational events in the region, the sanctuary does important work to raise awareness. In addition, the Green Project actively involves former poachers and their families, who live on the edge of a nearby national park, in the protection of the apes and provides them with new sources of income.

The good deed

Today's good deed of 4.7 kilograms of plant mix ensures health and varied nutrition for 200 endangered primates at the Limbe Wildlife Centre (LWC). At the same time, the sale of feed plants provides an alternative, environmentally sound and sustainable income for the local people, who used to live mainly from hunting and also poached in the nearby Mount Cameroon National Park. The Green Project ensures the support of the local community for conservation measures and compliance with wildlife protection laws. More and more inhabitants of the village of Batoke are taking part in the project: currently there are 110 people, and the number is growing. Former hunters now harvest wild ginger (Aframomum) as a natural remedy against infectious diseases. The women also sell the greens from the harvest of potatoes, papayas and manioc, for which there is otherwise no market, to the rescue centre.