Status of blue duiker (<i>Cephalophus monticola</i>) in the Lebialem-Mone- Banyang-Mbo landscape, South-West Cameroon

Abstract

A survey of blue duikers (Cephalophus monticola) in the Lebialem-Mone-Banyang-Mbo (LMBM) landscape was conducted during the period of May to September 2012 with the aim of establishing a database for the enhancement of sustainable management of Wildlife population. The line transect method (Tsi, 2011) was used for data collection. Results revealed an encounter rate of 12.8 indexes per km, a density of 2.56 per km² and estimate of 1162 blue duikers in the entire landscape. The findings also showed that there is currently a high level of bush meat harvesting and a tragic forest transformation due to uncontrolled anthropogenic activities in the landscape. In comparison with the findings of Walhert in Korupt national park, the estimated density in the LMBM landscape was considered relatively high for a non protected area. It was concluded that this high population of blue duikers against a background of intense anthropogenic activities is indicative; It is strong evident that LMBM landscape serves as a natural wildlife corridor, linking it many surrounding protected areas. There the gazetment of the proposed Bechati- Mone wildlife corridor situated in the LMBM landscape will go a long way to enhance effective wildlife conservation in the region.

Keywords: Conservation status, blue duiker, encounter rate, anthropogenic activities, sustainable management, wildlife corridor.