Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary
Wildlife conservation plays a vital role in boosting diversity and ecosystem productivity. In Nigeria, the practice of protecting plants and animal species have provided balance and stability to nature’s processes. One of Nigeria’s notable conservation centres is the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, which has now developed into a tourist site for enthusiasts.
The Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, formerly part of the Afi River Forest Reserve is located in the highlands of Cross River State, Nigeria. It is an expansive tourist site established in 2000 to provide protection to the most endangered animal species in Nigeria such as the Cross River gorilla, the Nigerian-Cameroon chimpanzee, drill monkeys and the grey-necked rock fowl.
The Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary covers about 100kM² of lowland and sub-montane forest with rocky peaks rising to altitudes of 1,300m. Since creation, the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary remains the best-protected area for drills across the globe.
Although the steep mountainous slopes of the sanctuary have majorly protected it from logging, the forest is sometimes threatened by a dry-season bush fire set by local farmers. However, open areas created by fire are quickly colonized by herb species which form an important staple food for the gorillas.
Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary and the surrounding Afi River Forest Reserve constitutes one of the largest forest reserves in Cross River State. Afi Wildlife exists under the management of Cross River State Forestry Commission/Ministry of Climate Change and Forestry.
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The Western flank of the mountain includes a large grassland roost of migratory European barn swallows, estimated to contain about 20 million birds. It is also the largest wintering roost site of swallows in Africa, a reason it was listed as an Important Bird Area (IBA) for Nigeria. The sanctuary is surrounded by 16 communities with a population of about 27,000 people.
In order to secure the lives of animals on the mountain, community protection patrols, involving the use of local hunters to discouraged shooting and trapping of animals were encouraged. Also, an education program was organized in the 16 villages surrounding the mountain, which brought the members of communities together for the first time as a common interest group.
While hunting has been kept under control in the surrounding communities through proper awareness, the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary holds a partnership with individuals to enable continuous protection of its forest and wildlife.
Tourists are welcome to stay in the Afi Mountain Ranch. Accommodations are finely provided in form of cabins. It also features a walkway running through the forest canopy, about 25 meters above the jungle floor. The site is an interesting place to be, especially as it constitutes a beautiful view of rare animal species. It is also a recognized spot in Africa, housing the migration of large swallows.
Ever visited the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments section.