Strategies to restore Waza National Park, Cameroon, an important lion stronghold

 

Authors: Tumenta P.N., Croes B.M., Bertola L.D., Adam S., Kagalang D., Kamgang S., Loth P., De Iongh H.

Published: Cat News, 77, 23-28 (2023)

Abstract: As one of the few formally protected Sahelian savanna ecosystems in Cameroon,
Waza National Park Waza NP still harbours a rich and unique biodiversity. Observations
made early 2021 in Waza NP indicate that intrusions by fishermen and cattle
herds are becoming more frequent and persistent, threatening the habitat this protected
area offers to lions Panthera leo leo and the prey on which they depend. In
order to assess the current status of the lion population and their prey base, as well
as human activities and overall threats to the park, a survey was initiated consisting
of nine calling stations, 248 km of line transects and a semi-structured questionnaire
conducted among 200 randomly selected respondents from six villages with
full consent. Although no lions responded to the calling stations, lion presence in
the park was revealed during the line transect survey. The transect survey further
confirmed that numbers of kob antelope, an important prey for lions, had decreased
from previous assessments. Based on our assessment and some lessons learnt from
the Waza Logone Project, we define a strategy to restore Waza NP and the surrounding
floodplain ecosystem. We suggest simultaneously strengthening the capacity
of Waza NP’s management and enhancing the carrying capacity of the surrounding
floodplain, not only to benefit livelihoods of local communities, but eventually also
to restore the lion population and overall biodiversity. The ultimate aim of the strategy
is to achieve a well-managed national park with thriving biodiversity in sustainable
co-existence with local communities around the park that profit from improved
floodplain ecology.

 

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