The close genetic relationship between great apes and humans, their global environmental importance
and the threat of their global extinction, make great apes a priority among protected species. For over a
decade, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has called for better global integration of
biodiversity conservation and poverty reduction, and Cameroon has introduced biodiversity protection
policies to establish this nationally (Eyebe et al. 2012). Cameroon revised its National Biodiversity
Strategy and Action Plan in 2012, which states that “by 2020, endemic and threatened species of flora
and fauna should be sustainably managed, and community-based biodiversity conservation and
ecosystems management approaches should be promoted” (NBSAP 2012).
Great apes are among the key species maintaining forest ecosystems. Protecting great apes means
conserving forests, and in turn assuring the livelihoods of communities that depend on forests. Yet,
despite this inter-dependence, humans constitute the main threats to apes, most of which are
endangered.
This report, produced by Cameroon Poverty and Conservation Learning Group details a study
assessing the impact of private sector investments (in agriculture and timber) on both great ape
conservation and local livelihoods in Cameroon.
The overall objectives of the study were to:
1. Investigate and analyse the positive and negative impacts of agri-industry and logging on
conservation in general and on great ape conservation in particular
2. Investigate and analyse the positive and negative impacts of agri-industry and logging on local
livelihoods
3. Investigate and analyse the challenges faced by industry and conservation organisations in a
context where improving local livelihoods is a priority, and
4. Propose recommendations to promote sustainable resource use, boost great ape conservation
and ensure improvement in local livelihoods.
The field study was carried out using participatory rural appraisal methods in two different forest regions
of Cameroon over two weeks in July 2014, and was supplemented with further desk research.