The present study was prepared thanks to financial support from the Central African Protected Areas Network (RAPAC) under the ECOFAC V Programme (EU) with the Project SUPPORTING THE CONSERVATION AND INVOLVEMENT OF RIPARIAN POPULATIONS IN THE CO-MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES IN THE NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE DJA BIOSPHERE RESERVE implemented by IUCN.

As part of the process of revising the management plan for the Dja Biosphere Reserve, an inventory of large and medium-sized mammals was carried out from 15 March to 6 June 2015 with the eco-guards under the technical supervision of the IUCN. The focus was on the forest elephant, the lowland gorilla and the chimpanzee.

The methodology used here was based on indirect observations in an alternating combination of recce and linear transect techniques. Biostatistical analysis and mapping software were used to arrive at the main results obtained and based on descriptive statistical techniques. At the end of the analyses of the data from this study, it appears that at least 17 species of mammals have been identified in the Dja Fauna Reserve. The artiodactyls, which are very represented by the red cephalophers, are the most abundant. The surface densities (individuals/km2) of populations of clearly identified elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees and great apes in general are respectively 0.080 (0.066-0.105); 1.257 (0.946-1.670); 0.69 (0.946-1.670); 0.69 (0.946-1.670); 0.69 (0.521-0.912) and 2.588 (2.18-3.161). The numbers of elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees and great apes are estimated at 420 (313-563), 6613 (4978-8786), 3630 (2742-4804) and 13611 (11143-16625) in the Dja Fauna Reserve. The estimates presented below are the best derived from data analysis given the time available and should be considered preliminary. More refined analyses are ongoing and will bring more precision to the estimates of the animal population in the Dja Wildlife Reserve in due time.

Poaching is the main threat in this protected area while there are some clandestine forest encroachments in the south-eastern part of the reserve. Evolutionary trends show a drastic decline in the elephant population, a relative decrease in gorillas, and a steady decline in the chimpanzee population. The change in the focus of poachers to elephants due to the attractive price on the black market on the one hand, and the quality of the habitat in and around the Wildlife Reserve on the other hand, could explain these trends. The East, South and North-West sectors are the most subject to poaching pressure, leaving an abundance of wildlife in the part going from South-West to North-East. As a result of this study, the following recommendations are formulated:

• Conduct an assessment of the management effectiveness of the Reserve to examine the general state of conservation of this Reserve and propose measures to be taken taking into account the threats and pressures, as well as the realities of this site;
• Strengthen the involvement of the private sector in the management of the Reserve;
• Evaluate the possibility of strengthening the protected status of the Reserve in the face of growing threats, through the elevation of its status as a National Park and by redeveloping the boundaries of the richer core;
• Explore the possibility of valuing the Reserve as part of the REDD+ mechanism and other mechanisms for paying for environmental services;
• Intensify anti-poaching patrols within the Dja Wildlife Reserve by building 04 permanent surveillance posts based on the division of the protected area into as many sectors;
• Develop a strategy to raise awareness among local populations aimed at raising their awareness in order to become more active in the fight against poaching in general and ivory trafficking in particular; this strategy should integrate the development and ownership of projects that are alternative to poaching and are inherent in improving the well-being of local populations.

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