Agribusiness versus Great Apes

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Dja Faunal Reserve Cameroon – Human and Natural

Africa: Agribusiness Companies Destroying Vital Rainforest Habitat of Chimpanzees and Other Great Apes

Greenpeace International (Amsterdam)

 

Endangered great ape species are having their rainforest habitat destroyed and threatened by the expansion of agribusiness projects in central Africa according to new evidence from Greenpeace Africa.

Gorilla in Dja Faunal Reserve – http://b.static.trunity.net/files/113901_114000/113930/249px-Gorilla.jpg

Satellite images, obtained by Greenpeace Africa, show that more than 3,000 hectares of rainforest bordering the Dja Faunal Reserve has already been destroyed inside the Chinese-owned Hevea Sud rubber and palm oil concession in Cameroon’s Southern region. The reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the western lowland gorilla, chimpanzees and mandrills.

Chimpanzee – The sad pattern of destruction in Cameroon’s rainforests continues with the arrival of yet another orphaned chimpanzee from the Dja Faunal Reserve – http://apeactionafrica.org/upload/image/image/what-we-do/901Kwene-firstday.jpg

“Agro-industrial developments will soon emerge as a top threat to biodiversity in the African tropical forest zone”, says Dr Joshua Linder, an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at James Madison University.

The study found also found drills – one of Africa’s most endangered primates – inhabiting the forest. http://www.greenpeace.org/international/ReSizes/OriginalWatermarked/Global/international/photos/forests/2013/cameroon/GP04PYO.jpg

“If proactive strategies to mitigate the effects of large-scale habitat conversion are not soon implemented, we can expect a rapid decline in African primate diversity.”

Read the full article: allAfrica