At 25, Limbe Wildlife Centre Calls for Endangered Species Conservation

BY SIMON NDIVE KALLA  & BEATRICE MOKAM 

Limbe Wildlife Centre last Saturday, September 14, 2019, celebrated its 25^th anniversary with a call on the population to be involved in endangered species conservation.

Speaking during the anniversary celebration, the representative of the Minister of Forestry and Wildlife, the Chief of Service for Reserves, Sanctuaries and Zoological Gardens, Orock Zacharia, told the population of Limbe to collaborate with the Cameroon government and Pandrillus in protecting endangered species so children will be able to see the animals that exist in the country tomorrow.

The event was marked by the offering of awards to individuals, organisations, and agencies that have done remarkable work in the field of wildlife conservation. While acknowledging that the challenges faced within the last 25 years existence, the Minister’s representative, thanked Pandrillus Foundation for their involvement and financial help “because the government couldn’t have done it alone”.

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On his part, the Conservator of Limbe Wildlife Centre, Mbelen  Rim Serge, thanked the Government for recognizing the work of the Centre with an award. “It is a great encouragement for us to continue to build a stronger LWC to protect Cameroon’s wildlife and wild places, and make sure wildlife law enforcement continues in our country. We will also involve the communities around us to be part of our work,” Mbelen Serge said. He attributed the success of the Centre to the financial and technical support of MINFOF, Pandrillus Foundation and other donors

Reacting to the Government’s award, the Country Director of Pandrillus Foundation, Guillaume Le Flohic, said they are proud to receive an award, which to him, is an indication that their every-day work is being recognised. Guillaume Le Flohic regretted that, that the animals at LWC are in captivity while those in the forest that are killed every day. He said they will only be fulfilled when each region will take conservation actions very seriously.

Speaking shortly after the event, a teacher at Ecole SONARA, Belong Jean Paul thanked LWC for giving their children to see live the animals they study in school.

“Seeing the animals shows the efforts that the LWC is putting in to keep our heritage. We have learned so many lessons and we want our children to continue the work in future so as protect the cultural heritage nature gave us” Belong Jean said.

Meanwhile, UNESCO representative, Watsop Eustache, gave a lesson to the children on wildlife protection, and their role in promoting ecotourism and the development towns and villages, and the creation of employment.