In a significant step to protect the endangered lion population in Central Africa, Cameroonian rangers and biologists from the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) have recently fitted GPS collars on seven lions in Bouba Ndjidda National Park. This brings the total number of monitored lions in the park to ten, marking a crucial development in the ongoing efforts by the Cameroonian government and WCS to restore the park’s rich wildlife heritage.
Serge Patrick Tadjo, the committed warden of Bouba Ndjidda, highlighted the park’s importance and the challenges it faces. He stated, “Bouba Ndjidda and its surrounding region are among Central Africa’s most valuable ecosystems, yet they are constantly threatened by poaching, illegal grazing, and unauthorized gold mining. Over ten years ago, we managed to expel organized elephant poachers from Sudan, securing the park and the nation. The use of GPS collars has been vital in protecting our elephants, and we are now applying this successful strategy to our lions. With ten lions now under our watch, including three tagged earlier this year by the local NGO Biodiversity, Environment, and Sustainable Development, we are better equipped to safeguard these majestic creatures.”
The introduction of ten new GPS collars represents a key advancement in wildlife conservation efforts within the park. These collars are set to significantly aid rangers from the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF) by providing detailed tracking data on lions. The technology sends location updates four times daily via satellite directly to laptops, offering near real-time monitoring. This allows rangers to direct their patrols to areas frequently visited by lions, improving the effectiveness of anti-poaching measures.
In addition to enhancing protection efforts, the collars will help researchers gain a deeper understanding of the lion population in this under-studied region. Despite successful breeding in certain parts of the park, the number of cubs raised is lower than expected. Data from the collars will be crucial in investigating these issues and other aspects of lion ecology.
Current estimates suggest that Africa’s lion population ranges from 20,000 to 23,000. While the species is classified as Vulnerable across the continent, with more stable populations in Southern and Eastern Africa, Central Africa is believed to have fewer than 1,000 lions, making them regionally Endangered. This population includes the Northern lion, a sub-species that is genetically related to both West African lions and the last remaining lions in Asia, found in India’s Gujarat State.
Luke Hunter, Executive Director of WCS’s Big Cat Program, emphasized, “Lions are often less prioritized in conservation strategies because they are relatively common and easily observed in the popular national parks of East and Southern Africa. However, the Northern lion is critically endangered and requires immediate conservation efforts. Bouba Ndjidda is one of the few places in Central Africa where we are starting to see signs of recovery in the lion population. This success reflects the strong collaboration between the Cameroonian government and WCS. With ongoing support for this approach, Bouba Ndjidda could become a crucial beacon of hope for lions in Central Africa.”
