Site menu:
About The Project
The West African Primate Conservation Action (WAPCA) aims at
the conservation of two highly endangered primate species, the Roloway
Monkey (Cercopithecus diana roloway) and the White-naped Mangabey
(Cercocebus atys lunulatus), which are endemic to rainforest areas in
Ghana and Ivory Coast. The population of Roloway guenons and the
White-naped mangabeys serve as prominent “flagship species” for the
entire ecosystem of the Upper Guinean Forest with its unique
biodiversity of plant and animal species. As examples of their wild
relatives these monkeys serve to sensitise zoo visitors to the need for
the conservation of biodiversity.
The NGO WAPCA is based on an association of currently 10 European Zoos,
conservation organizations and private people. WAPCA implements
conservation activities in Ghana. Projects take place at two sites: The
Endangered Primate Conservation Centre, a facility which helps to breed
the monkeys as part of an internationally coordinated breeding program
for endangered species (EEP). This is located in Achimota Forest,
Accra.
The second sites are several protected areas in the Western Region of
Ghana. The forests of these areas are the natural habitat of the
Roloway monkeys and the White-naped Mangabey. These forests are
implementation sites for various conservation activities like research,
work with Wildlife Division, awareness work in villages and community
work on sustainable livelihoods.
WAPCA's Goals
Endangered Primates Centre
Under supervision of the Wildlife Division of Accra Zoo, WAPCA' s local working partner, WAPCA has constructed and managed the Endangered Primate Centre since 2005. The centre houses two breeding groups of White-naped Mangabeys and one group of Roloway Monkeys. The monkeys are part of the international breeding program for endangered species (EEP). In the context of this breeding program monkeys are transferred between Accra and European Zoos to enhance the genetic variety of captive groups.
Group size is growing continuously by new births in the groups and confiscation of animals which are sold on the bushmeat marked or illegally held as pets. The Primate Centre is now located in Achimota Forest Reserve, Accra providing well equipped facilities for the monkeys which can be used for educational purposes. The Centre will help to educate visitors about the dramatic situation of wildlife species and about threats which are caused to nature by humans.
Protection of Habitat and Wildlife
Research projects in the monkeys’ natural habitat enable us to evaluate the situation of the remaining populations of the endangered monkey species. Long term surveying and monitoring provides data which then can be used to concentrate conservation efforts on particular areas. Close collaboration with the Wildlife Division and supply of equipment improves the rangers patrol work in the forest. To attract more eco-tourists to the protected areas WAPCA built facilities such as a game viewing hide and an education trail in Ankasa National Park which will enable tourists to have a visit in the forest and remember it as a unique experience! Projects in the communities which lay adjacent to the forests aim at the creation of sustainable livelihoods and at raising awareness. Local people must on one hand be educated on the values of the forest and the importance to protect it, while on the other hand they need help to find incomes which provide an alternative to hunting and exploiting the forest resources.
