Nigerian-Cameroon Chimpanzees The Nigerian-Cameroon chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes vellerosus) is the most endangered subspecies with a population estimate as low as 6,000 individuals out of a continent-wide species population estimate of 235,000. These chimpanzees were only recognized as a distinct subspecies in 2001. This table, with population estimates for the four subspecies, plainly shows them to be the most highly endangered:
scientific name
population
Eastern chimpanzee
Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii
98,000
Central chimpanzee
Pan troglodytes troglodytes
93,000
Western chimpanzee
Pan troglodytes verus
38,000
Nigerian chimpanzee
Pan troglodytes vellerosus
6,000
The chimpanzees that inhabit this forest region belong to the Cameroon-Nigeria chimpanzees or the P t vellerosus. They are the most endangered of all the African chimpanzees and today their numbers vary between 3000 to 5000. In the Lebialem-Mone Forest Landscape (LMFL), they are home to six forest blocks namely the Bechati-Fossimondi-Besali/UFA11002 forest block, the Bechati-Mone Forest corridor, the Mak-Betchou forest block, the UpperNkongho-Mbo Forest block, the Lebialem Highland Montane Forest and the Mbanga-mpongo/Ebensuk Forest block. Their habitats are seriously threatened by human activities especially hunting and bush meat trade which calls for urgent conservation actions throughout the region.
