Status and ecology of forest ungulates in the Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon

A comprehensive camera-trap survey of the Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon’s largest protected area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reveals critical insights into the status and ecology of its forest ungulates. The study recorded 30,601 independent detections of 12 species over 28,277 camera-trap days, with blue and Peters’ duikers being the most abundant, accounting for 82% of all detections and occupying over 85% of survey grids. This suggests ecological partitioning among these species based on activity patterns and body size. However, other species like sitatunga, forest buffalo, and bongo were rarely detected, indicating potential threats to their populations. The reserve faces significant pressures from illegal hunting, both subsistence and commercial, which could jeopardize its biodiversity and World Heritage status. Community surveillance and improved law enforcement are being implemented to mitigate these threats.

Amin, R., Wacher, T., Fankem, O., Gilbert, O. N., Ndimbe, M. S., & Fowler, A. (2022). Status and ecology of forest ungulates in the Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon. Mammalia, 86(5), 444–454. https://doi.org/10.1515/mammalia-2021-0175