Saving Cross River Gorillas and Chimpanzees

Location: Cameroon: Rural Areas

Program Duration: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months (includes high school academic semester abroad)

Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks

Dates: Throughout the Year

African Conservation Foundation

PO Box 602 Chichester, PO19 9FY England

Description

Spend two or more weeks volunteering on conservation projects saving these great apes from extinction. The Cross River gorilla could become extinct within 10 years, unless we act now. South West Cameroon harbours two of the most threatened African great apes: the critically endangered Cross River gorilla - the rarest of the gorilla sub-species with 250-300 individuals left in the wild - and the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee - also the most endangered chimpanzee subspecies in Africa. They are both keystone species in the montane forest ecosystems of the border region of Nigeria and Cameroon.

Volunteering on this conservation project in Cameroon will take you to work on the frontline of conservation, taking part in surveys of the montane rainforests - some of which have never been surveyed before - and in community education and awareness-raising activities.

The expedition will focus on great apes surveys and education and awareness raising activities. Each survey period generally will last two-four weeks (with breaks every three-five days) - the sampling design of which will be established prior to the start of the surveys. Former local hunters have been employed by the project to serve as field guides. Your life during the surveys will be nomadic, breaking camp each day to move to the next site - with the help of field guides and porters. You'll cover steep slopes, sometimes making for extreme hiking and trekking, as you follow family groups of gorillas and chimpanzees. You'll look for animals and nest sites, signs of feeding and habitat use, documenting observations through photography and GPS coordinates. You may encounter other endangered primates and hundreds of bird species and other wildlife. The project language is English, and you'll receive field training in scientific survey techniques and GPS tracking and mapping.

Education and awareness raising will form a key part of this expedition. Changing the attitudes towards great apes and improving empathetic relationships between children and wildlife is a prerequisite to sustainable co-existence and the protection of apes.

Highlights

* Helping to conserve Cross River Gorillas and chimpanzees
* Working with local staff
* Participating in great apes surveys
* Checking camera traps
* Environmental education activities at primary and secondary schools
* Being immersed in the indigenous communities of the highland rainforest
* Meeting with local kings, chiefs, teachers and children
* Visiting Limbe Wildlife Centre
* Experiencing a unique, authentic African rainforest expedition.

Travel Types
  • BackPacking Abroad
  • Birdwatching
  • Camping
  • Climbing
  • Eco Tours
  • Ecology
  • Environmental Studies
  • Homestay
  • Mountaineering
  • Nature Tours
  • Off Road / 4X4 Driving
  • RainForest Tours
  • Safari
  • Volunteering
Qualifications

Expedition Members must be highly motivated and physically fit as the environment is very demanding. Some trekking and climbing experience would be an advantage. The local climate is hot and humid; temperatures are ranging from 25-40°C. It is important that expedition members can work as a team and assist the local staff in the daily tasks.

Languages
  • English

Cost in US$:

1,925

Cost Include Description:

Credit Available

no

Volunteer Types
  • Adult Education
  • Animal Welfare
  • Arts
  • Biological Research
  • Community Development
  • Conservation
  • Drama
  • Eco-tourism
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Indigenous Issues
  • Micro-enterprise
  • Natural Resources
  • Planting
  • Volunteering
  • Wildlife Surveying
  • Youth
Typical Volunteer
Any person may volunteer with ACF as long as they are over 16 years old. The majority of our participants are 18-35 years old, but we welcome anyone who wishes to join us and make a difference.
Age Range
16-90
This Program is open to

Worldwide Participant. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements
  • Guest House
  • Home-stays
  • Other

Participants Travel to Cameroon

Independently

Application Process Involves
  • Online Application plus Application Assessment
  • Resume
  • Written Application
Typically The Application Process Time is
2 weeks
Post Services Include
  • Exit Debriefing Abroad
  • Job and Internship Network
African Conservation Foundation's Mission Statement

ACF is working towards the protection and conservation of Africa's endangered wildlife and their habitats. Our overall mission is to change the approach of the management and utilization of natural resources to one in which the needs of human development in the region are reconciled with biodiversity conservation.

Year Founded

2001

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