Spatio-temporal variation in the distribution of great apes in the Dja-Ngoyla Complex in Cameroon, and implications for conservation

A recent study estimates that the Dja-Ngoyla Complex in Cameroon, a critical part of the Tri National Dja-Odzala-Minkébé (TRIDOM) landscape, supports approximately 11,787 great apes, including chimpanzees and western lowland gorillas. The research, conducted through 1,096.64 km of line transects using the standing-crop nest counts method in 2021, reveals that chimpanzee abundance is significantly higher in Dja Faunal Reserve, while Ngoyla-Mintom holds 71% of the gorilla population. Notably, logging concessions within the complex harbor 37% of gorillas and 17% of chimpanzees, with those under management certification schemes showing higher great ape densities. The study also underscores the potential isolation risk for Dja's great ape population and emphasizes the urgent need for forest management certification to bolster wildlife protection across all concessions in the complex.

Fankem, O. Z., Kobla, A. S., Bruce, T., Oum Ndjock, G., Sock, B., Kekeunou, S., Fowler, A., Olson, D., Wacher, T., & Amin, R. (2025). Spatio-temporal variation in the distribution of great apes in the Dja-Ngoyla Complex in Cameroon, and implications for conservation. Oryx, 59(5), 668–678. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0030605325000444