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<div style='float: right'>{{#display_map: height=190px | width=300px | scrollzoom=off | zoom=5 | layers=OpenStreetMap,OpenTopoMap|7.538, 11.611~[[Gashaka Gumti National Park]]~''Pan troglodytes ellioti''}}</div>
<div style='float: right'>{{#display_map: height=190px | width=300px | scrollzoom=off | zoom=5 | layers=OpenStreetMap,OpenTopoMap|7.538, 11.611~[[Gashaka Gumti National Park]]~''Pan troglodytes ellioti''}}</div>
* Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee (''Pan troglodytes ellioti'') are present in Gashaka Gumti National Park.
* Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee (''Pan troglodytes ellioti'') are present in Gashaka Gumti National Park.
* The population size is unknown.
* In 2011, the population was estimated at 900-1,500 individuals (Morgan et al. 2011); the current population size is unknown.
* The population trend is unknown.
* The population trend is unknown.
* The site has a total size of 5,907 km².
* The site has a total size of 5,907 km².
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* Conservation activities implemented by ANI include patrols and countering illegal activities, as well as habitat protection an restoration, education, and incentives to local communities.
* Conservation activities implemented by ANI include patrols and countering illegal activities, as well as habitat protection an restoration, education, and incentives to local communities.


 
<div><ul> <li style="display: inline-block;">[[File: photo_2026-06-12_15-41-51.jpg | 300px | thumb| none | © ANI Foundation & Jack Devlin]]<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File: photo_2026-06-12_15-41-42.jpg | 300px | thumb| none | © ANI Foundation & Jack Devlin]]<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File: photo_2026-06-12_15-41-45.jpg | 300px | thumb| none | © ANI Foundation & Jack Devlin]]<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File: photo_2026-06-12_15-41-55.jpg | 300px | thumb| none | © ANI Foundation & Jack Devlin]]<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File: photo_2026-06-12_15-42-03.jpg | 300px | thumb| none | © ANI Foundation & Jack Devlin]]<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File: photo_2026-06-12_15-42-06.jpg | 300px | thumb| none | © ANI Foundation & Jack Devlin]]</ul></div>
= Site characteristics =
= Site characteristics =


The site is located in eastern Nigeria, bordering Cameroon. It is Nigeria's largest national park and was established in 1991. The Gumti sector is characterized by undulating terrain covered by savanna vegetation, whereas the Gashaka sector is more rugged and mountainous. Rivers originate in the highlands and flow downslope, providing moisture that sustains lowland forests alongside savanna vegetation at lower elevations. As a result, the park supports a wide diversity of vegetation types, including lowland rainforest, woodland savanna, cloud forest, and montane grassland. Importantly, it serves as a stronghold for several species of conservation concern, including the Nigeria–Cameroon chimpanzee, both white-bellied and giant pangolins, and Nigeria’s last confirmed leopard population (ANI 2026). Rich in bird biodiversity, the site is an Important Bird Area (BirdLife International 2020), as well as a [[https://www.keybiodiversityareas.org/site/factsheet/6735/site Key Biodiversity Area]] (KBA 2026). The park has also been nominated as [[https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/6918/ UNESCO World Heritage site]].
The site is located in eastern Nigeria, bordering Cameroon. It is Nigeria's largest national park and was established in 1991. The Gumti sector is characterized by undulating terrain covered by savanna vegetation, whereas the Gashaka sector is more rugged and mountainous. Rivers originate in the highlands and flow downslope, providing moisture that sustains lowland forests alongside savanna vegetation at lower elevations. As a result, the park supports a wide diversity of vegetation types, including lowland rainforest, woodland savanna, cloud forest, and montane grassland. Importantly, it serves as a stronghold for several species of conservation concern, including the Nigeria–Cameroon chimpanzee, both white-bellied and giant pangolins, and Nigeria’s last confirmed leopard population ([[#R00590|ANI 2025]]). Rich in bird biodiversity, the site is an Important Bird Area ([[#R00591|BirdLife International 2020]]), as well as a [https://www.keybiodiversityareas.org/site/factsheet/6735/site Key Biodiversity Area] ([[#R00592|KBA 2026]]). The park has also been nominated as [https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/6918/ UNESCO World Heritage site].


NA
{{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bylxJnXkmDg|320x210|inline}}


'''Table 1. Basic site information for Gashaka Gumti National Park'''
'''Table 1. Basic site information for Gashaka Gumti National Park'''
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= Ape status =
= Ape status =


NA
Based on recent camera trap data, it is though that there are more than 1,500 chimpanzees inhabiting the site (Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026).


'''Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for Gashaka Gumti National Park'''
'''Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for Gashaka Gumti National Park'''
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|-
|-
|''Pan troglodytes ellioti''
|''Pan troglodytes ellioti''
|2023
|2026
|Present
|Present
|
|
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|-
|-
|''Pan troglodytes ellioti''
|''Pan troglodytes ellioti''
|2024
|2025
|Present
|Present
|
|
Line 90: Line 90:
|-
|-
|''Pan troglodytes ellioti''
|''Pan troglodytes ellioti''
|2025
|2024
|Present
|Present
|
|
Line 103: Line 103:
|-
|-
|''Pan troglodytes ellioti''
|''Pan troglodytes ellioti''
|2026
|2023
|Present
|Present
|
|
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= Threats =
= Threats =


The park and its wildlife are threatened by logging, poaching, artisanal mining, and cattle grazing, driven in part by a chronic lack of funding (ANI 2026). Within the park boundaries, there are 10 legally recognized enclave settlements with a populaton of 2,400 inhabitants. These enclaves predate the establishment of the game reserves and were informally allowed to remain due to the lack of government funding for resettlement. More recently, an additional eight illegal settlements have been identified outside the designated enclaves, likely established after the creation of the reserves. The primary livelihoods of these communities are cattle grazing and subsistence farming. Owing to their remoteness, these communities experience high levels of poverty and lack access to basic services, such as healthcare facilities, potable water, electricity, and roads. On average, they are a day’s travel from the nearest markets, and livelihoods remain largely subsistence-based, with limited prospects for improved roads or access to government services. Additionally, the park has become an important area for nomadic pastoralists who bring cattle into and around the park from other parts of Nigeria and West Africa (ANI 2026).
The park and its wildlife are threatened by logging, poaching, artisanal mining, and cattle grazing, driven in part by a chronic lack of funding ([[#R00590|ANI 2025]]) to the park for many years. Within the park boundaries, there are eight legally recognized enclave settlements with a population of 2,400 inhabitants. These enclaves predate the establishment of the national park and were informally allowed to remain due to the lack of government funding for resettlement. More recently, an additional four informal settlements have been identified outside the designated enclaves. Another 60 settlements live within 2km of the park boundary in the buffer zone with an approximate population of 100,000. The primary livelihoods of these communities are cattle grazing and subsistence farming. Owing to the remoteness, the communities living within the national park, experience high levels of poverty and lack access to basic services, such as healthcare facilities, potable water, electricity, and roads. On average, they are a day’s travel from the nearest markets, and livelihoods remain largely subsistence-based, with limited prospects for improved roads or access to government services. Additionally, the park has become an important area for nomadic pastoralists who bring cattle into and around the park from other parts of Nigeria and West Africa during the dry season ([[#R00590|ANI 2025]]). The following threats in Table 3 were recorded by WWF in 1996, when they were present in the park (Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026).
 
NA


'''Table 3. Threats to apes reported for Gashaka Gumti National Park'''
'''Table 3. Threats to apes reported for Gashaka Gumti National Park'''
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|1.1 Residential areas
|1.1 Residential areas
|Present (unknown severity)
|Present (unknown severity)
|Ten settlements exist outside enclave areas for settlements, leading to habitat degradation and destruction (ANI 2026).
|Four settlements exist outside enclave areas for settlements, leading to habitat degradation and destruction ([[#R00590|ANI 2025]]).
|Ongoing (2026)
|2018-Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|2 Agriculture & aquaculture
|2 Agriculture & aquaculture
|2.1.1 Shifting agriculture
|2.1.1 Shifting agriculture
|Low (up to 30% of population affected)
|Low (up to 30% of population affected)
|Agricultural activities in the buffer zone outside the site (Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026).
|Agricultural activities in the buffer zone outside the site ([[#R00590|ANI 2025]], Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026).
|Ongoing (2026)
|2018-Ongoing (2026)
|-
|2 Agriculture & aquaculture
|2.3 Livestock farming & ranching
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|Presence of transhumance with associated forest fires set by herders to encourage fresh grasses for their cattle (ANI 2026).
|2018-Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|3 Energy production & mining
|3 Energy production & mining
|3.2.3 Artisanal mining
|3.2.3 Artisanal mining
|Low (up to 30% of population affected)
|Low (up to 30% of population affected)
|Gold mining occurring along the boundary of the park and in select enclaves (ANI 2026, Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026). The presence of miners is linked to other threats, such as insecurity and bushmeat hunting.
|Gold mining occurs along the boundary of the park ([[#R00590|ANI 2025]], Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026). The presence of miners is linked to other threats, such as insecurity and bushmeat hunting.
|Ongoing (2026)
|2018-Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|5 Biological resource use
|5 Biological resource use
|5.1.1 Subsistence bushmeat hunting
|5.1.1 Subsistence bushmeat hunting
|Medium (30-70% of population affected)
|Medium (30-70% of population affected)
|Subsistence bushmeat hunting would likely be much higher without rangers present (Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026).
|Subsistence bushmeat hunting would be much higher without rangers present ([[#R00590|ANI 2025]], Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026).
|Ongoing (2026)
|2018-Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|5 Biological resource use
|5 Biological resource use
|5.1.3 Commercial bushmeat trade
|5.1.3 Commercial bushmeat trade
|Low (up to 30% of population affected)
|Low (up to 30% of population affected)
|Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Ongoing (2026)
|2018-Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|5 Biological resource use
|5 Biological resource use
|5.3.1 Subsistence logging
|5.3.1 Subsistence logging
|Medium (30-70% of population affected)
|Medium (30-70% of population affected)
|ANI 2026, Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Ongoing (2026)
|2018-Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|6 Human intrusions & disturbance
|6 Human intrusions & disturbance
|6.2 Conflict, civil unrest & security activities
|6.2 War, civil unrest & military exercises
|Medium (30-70% of population affected)
|Medium (30-70% of population affected)
|Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Ongoing (2026)
|2018-Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|7 Natural system modifications
|7 Natural system modifications
|7.1 Fire & fire suppression
|7.1 Fire & fire suppression
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|Fires associated with grazing have caused significant degradation and deforestation, with early estimates suggesting between 60-70% of the park burns annually (ANI 2026).
|Fires associated with illegal uncontrolled cattle grazing have caused significant degradation and deforestation, with early estimates suggesting between 60-70% of the park burns annually ([[#R00590|ANI 2025]]).
|Ongoing (2026)
|2018-Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|8 Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases
|8 Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases
|8.1 Invasive non-native/alien species
|8.1 Invasive non-native/alien species
|Low (up to 30% of population affected)
|Low (up to 30% of population affected)
|Several invasive species are present in the park, including ''Gmelina arborea'', ''Chromolaena ororata'', and ''Calopogonium mucunoides'' (ANI 2026).
|Several invasive species are present in the park, including ''Gmelina arborea'', ''Chromolaena ororata'', and ''Calopogonium mucunoides'' ([[#R00590|ANI 2025]]).
|Ongoing (2026)
|2018-Ongoing (2026)
|-
|2 Agriculture & aquaculture
|2.3 Livestock farming & ranching
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|Presence of transhumance, linked to fires (ANI 2026).
|Ongoing (2026)
|}
|}


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= Conservation activities =
= Conservation activities =


In 1991, two game reserves were merged to form Gashaka Gumti National Park (GGNP), one of five national parks established with the creation of the National Park Service (NPS). From 1994 to 2008, NPS received additional management support from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF). However, between 2008 and 2017, no external support was provided for park management, and the condition of the park declined. University College London supported research in the park until these responsibilities were transferred to Chester Zoo, which withdrew in 2017. In the same year, the Africa Nature Investors (ANI) Foundation signed an agreement with NPS establishing a bilateral co-management partnership, enabling ANI to provide technical, financial, and managerial support aimed at restoring and developing GGNP (ANI 2026).
In 1991, two game reserves were merged to form Gashaka Gumti National Park (GGNP), one of seven national parks established with the creation of the National Park Service (NPS). From 1994 to 2008, NPS received additional management support for Gashaka Gumti National Park from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF). However, these parties pulled out and between 2008 and 2017, no external support was provided for park management, and the condition of the park declined. University College London supported research in the park until these responsibilities were transferred to Chester Zoo, which withdrew in 2017 largely due to security concerns. In the same year, the Africa Nature Investors (ANI) Foundation signed a 30 year  agreement with NPS establishing a bilateral co-management partnership, enabling ANI to provide technical, financial, and managerial support aimed at restoring and developing GGNP ([[#R00590|ANI 2025]]). The following conservation activities and challenges to their implementation are ongoing in 2026 (Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026).
 
NA


'''Table 4. Conservation activities reported for Gashaka Gumti National Park'''
'''Table 4. Conservation activities reported for Gashaka Gumti National Park'''
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|1 Development impact mitigation
|1 Development impact mitigation
|1.3 Prohibit (livestock) farmers from entering protected areas
|1.3 Prohibit (livestock) farmers from entering protected areas
|ANI 2026, Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
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|2 Counter-wildlife crime
|2 Counter-wildlife crime
|2.3 Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols
|2.3 Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols
|ANI 2026, Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|2021-Ongoing (2026)
|2021-Ongoing (2026)
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|2 Counter-wildlife crime
|2 Counter-wildlife crime
|2.6 Regularly de-activate/remove ground snares
|2.6 Regularly de-activate/remove ground snares
|ANI 2026, Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
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|2 Counter-wildlife crime
|2 Counter-wildlife crime
|2.7 Provide better equipment (e.g., guns) to anti-poaching ranger patrols
|2.7 Provide better equipment (e.g., guns) to anti-poaching ranger patrols
|ANI 2026, Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
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|2 Counter-wildlife crime
|2 Counter-wildlife crime
|2.8 Provide training to anti-poaching ranger patrols
|2.8 Provide training to anti-poaching ranger patrols
|ANI 2026, Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
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|2 Counter-wildlife crime
|2 Counter-wildlife crime
|2.11 Implement monitoring surveillance strategies (e.g., SMART) or use monitoring data to improve effectiveness of wildlife law enforcement patrols
|2.11 Implement monitoring surveillance strategies (e.g., SMART) or use monitoring data to improve effectiveness of wildlife law enforcement patrols
|ANI 2026, Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|2023-Ongoing (2026)
|2023-Ongoing (2026)
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|2 Counter-wildlife crime
|2 Counter-wildlife crime
|2.12 Implement community control of patrolling, banning hunting and removing snares
|2.12 Implement community control of patrolling, banning hunting and removing snares
|ANI 2026, Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
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|2 Counter-wildlife crime
|2 Counter-wildlife crime
|2.13 Provide sustainable alternative livelihoods; establish fish- or domestic meat farms
|2.13 Provide sustainable alternative livelihoods; establish fish- or domestic meat farms
|ANI 2026, Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
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|2 Counter-wildlife crime
|2 Counter-wildlife crime
|2.14 Employ hunters in the conservation sector to reduce their impact
|2.14 Employ hunters in the conservation sector to reduce their impact
|ANI 2026, Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
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|4 Education & awareness
|4 Education & awareness
|4.1 Educate local communities about apes and sustainable use
|4.1 Educate local communities about apes and sustainable use
|ANI 2026, Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
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|4 Education & awareness
|4 Education & awareness
|4.2 Involve local community in ape research and conservation management
|4.2 Involve local community in ape research and conservation management
|ANI 2026, Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
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|4 Education & awareness
|4 Education & awareness
|4.4 Regularly play TV & radio announcements to raise ape conservation awareness
|4.4 Regularly play TV & radio announcements to raise ape conservation awareness
|ANI 2026, Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
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|4 Education & awareness
|4 Education & awareness
|4.5 Implement multimedia campaigns using theatre, film, print media, discussions
|4.5 Implement multimedia campaigns using theatre, film, print media, discussions
|ANI 2026, Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
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|5 Protection & restoration
|5 Protection & restoration
|5.1 Create buffer zones around protected ape habitat
|5.1 Create buffer zones around protected ape habitat
|ANI 2026, Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
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|5 Protection & restoration
|5 Protection & restoration
|5.2 Legally protect ape habitat
|5.2 Legally protect ape habitat
|The park was designated as a National Park in 1991 (ANI 2026, Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026).
|The park was designated as a National Park in 1991 ([[#R00590|ANI 2025]]).
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|1991-Ongoing (2026)
|1991-Ongoing (2026)
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|5 Protection & restoration
|5 Protection & restoration
|5.3 Establish areas for conservation which are not protected by national or international legislation (e.g., private sector standards & codes)
|5.3 Establish areas for conservation which are not protected by national or international legislation (e.g., private sector standards & codes)
|ANI 2026, Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
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|5 Protection & restoration
|5 Protection & restoration
|5.5 Demarcate and enforce boundaries of protected areas
|5.5 Demarcate and enforce boundaries of protected areas
|ANI 2026, Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
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|5 Protection & restoration
|5 Protection & restoration
|5.6 Habitat restoration
|5.6 Habitat restoration
|ANI 2026, Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
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|5 Protection & restoration
|5 Protection & restoration
|5.9 Resettle illegal human communities (i.e., in a protected area) to another location
|5.9 Resettle illegal human communities (i.e., in a protected area) to another location
|ANI 2026, Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
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|5 Protection & restoration
|5 Protection & restoration
|5.10 Use prescribed burning within the context of home range size and use
|5.10 Use prescribed burning within the context of home range size and use
|ANI 2026, Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
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|7 Economic & other incentives
|7 Economic & other incentives
|7.1 Provide monetary benefits to local communities for sustainably managing their forest and its wildlife (e.g., REDD, alternative income, employment)
|7.1 Provide monetary benefits to local communities for sustainably managing their forest and its wildlife (e.g., REDD, alternative income, employment)
|ANI 2026, Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
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|7 Economic & other incentives
|7 Economic & other incentives
|7.2 Provide non-monetary benefits to local communities for sustainably managing their forest and its wildlife (e.g., better education, infrastructure development)
|7.2 Provide non-monetary benefits to local communities for sustainably managing their forest and its wildlife (e.g., better education, infrastructure development)
|ANI 2026, Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
|2020-Ongoing (2026)
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|8 Permanent presence
|8 Permanent presence
|8.1 Run research project and ensure permanent human presence at site
|8.1 Run research project and ensure permanent human presence at site
|ANI 2026, Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|Ongoing (2026)
|Ongoing (2026)
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|8 Permanent presence
|8 Permanent presence
|8.3 Permanent presence of staff/manager
|8.3 Permanent presence of staff/manager
|ANI 2026, Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service
|Ongoing (2026)
|Ongoing (2026)
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[[Conservation activities]]  
[[Conservation activities]]  
<div><ul> <li style="display: inline-block;">[[File: photo_2026-06-12_15-41-58.jpg | 300px | thumb| none | © ANI Foundation & Jack Devlin]]<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File: photo_2026-06-12_15-42-10.jpg | 300px | thumb| none | © ANI Foundation & Jack Devlin]]<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File: photo_2026-06-12_15-41-38.jpg | 300px | thumb| none | © ANI Foundation & Jack Devlin]]<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File: photo_2026-06-12_15-41-48.jpg | 300px | thumb| none | © ANI Foundation & Jack Devlin]]</ul></div>
= Challenges =


= Challenges =


NA


'''Table 5. Challenges reported for Gashaka Gumti National Park'''
'''Table 5. Challenges reported for Gashaka Gumti National Park'''
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|1 Site management
|1 Site management
|1.1 Need for improved leadership
|1.1 Need for improved leadership
|Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Ongoing (2026)
|Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|1 Site management
|1 Site management
|1.2 Need for improved coordination
|1.2 Need for improved coordination
|Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Ongoing (2026)
|Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|1 Site management
|1 Site management
|1.3 Corruption
|1.3 Corruption
|Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Ongoing (2026)
|Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|2 Resources and capacity
|2 Resources and capacity
|2.1 Lack of capacity/training
|2.1 Lack of capacity/training
|Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Ongoing (2026)
|Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|2 Resources and capacity
|2 Resources and capacity
|2.2 Lack of staff
|2.2 Lack of staff
|Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Ongoing (2026)
|Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|2 Resources and capacity
|2 Resources and capacity
|2.3 General lack of funding
|2.3 General lack of funding
|Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Ongoing (2026)
|Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|2 Resources and capacity
|2 Resources and capacity
|2.4 Lack of continuous/long-term funding
|2.4 Lack of continuous/long-term funding
|Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Ongoing (2026)
|Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|2 Resources and capacity
|2 Resources and capacity
|2.5 Lack of equipment
|2.5 Lack of equipment
|Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Ongoing (2026)
|Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|2 Resources and capacity
|2 Resources and capacity
|2.6 Lack of biomonitoring/survey data
|2.6 Lack of biomonitoring/survey data
|Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Ongoing (2026)
|Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|2 Resources and capacity
|2 Resources and capacity
|2.7 Lack of infrastructure
|2.7 Lack of infrastructure
|Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Ongoing (2026)
|Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|2 Resources and capacity
|2 Resources and capacity
|2.8 Lack of evidence of conservation effectiveness
|2.8 Lack of evidence of conservation effectiveness
|Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Ongoing (2026)
|Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|3 Engaged community
|3 Engaged community
|3.1 General lack of community engagement or support
|3.1 General lack of community engagement or support
|Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Ongoing (2026)
|Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|3 Engaged community
|3 Engaged community
|3.2 Lack of youth engagement
|3.2 Lack of youth engagement
|Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Ongoing (2026)
|Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|3 Engaged community
|3 Engaged community
|3.3 Lack of volunteers
|3.3 Lack of volunteers
|Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Ongoing (2026)
|Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|3 Engaged community
|3 Engaged community
|3.4 Eroding taboos in favor of conservation
|3.4 Eroding taboos in favor of conservation
|Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Ongoing (2026)
|Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|3 Engaged community
|3 Engaged community
|3.5 Anticipated disadvantages/costs created by conservation activities (e.g., restricted access/ resource use)
|3.5 Anticipated disadvantages/costs created by conservation activities (e.g., restricted access/ resource use)
|Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Ongoing (2026)
|Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|4 Institutional support
|4 Institutional support
|4.1 Lack of law enforcement
|4.1 Lack of law enforcement
|Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Ongoing (2026)
|Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|4 Institutional support
|4 Institutional support
|4.2 Lack of government support
|4.2 Lack of government support
|Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Ongoing (2026)
|Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|4 Institutional support
|4 Institutional support
|4.4 Lack of transboundary cooperation
|4.4 Lack of transboundary cooperation
|Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Ongoing (2026)
|Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|5 Ecological context
|5 Ecological context
|5.1 Ecological constraints (e.g., susceptibility to climate change, difficult terrain)
|5.1 Ecological constraints (e.g., susceptibility to climate change, difficult terrain)
|Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Ongoing (2026)
|Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|6 Safety and stability
|6 Safety and stability
|6.1 Political/economic instabilty
|6.1 Political/economic instability
|Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Ongoing (2026)
|Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|6 Safety and stability
|6 Safety and stability
|6.2 Insecurity
|6.2 Insecurity
|Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
|[[#R00590|ANI 2025]]
|Ongoing (2026)
|Ongoing (2026)
|}
|}
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= Enablers =
= Enablers =


NA
 




= Research activities =
= Research activities =


NA
 




= Documented behaviours =
= Documented behaviours =


NA
 


'''Table 7. Behaviours documented for Gashaka Gumti National Park'''
'''Table 7. Behaviours documented for Gashaka Gumti National Park'''
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= Exposure to climate change impacts =
= Exposure to climate change impacts =


NA
As part of a study on the exposure of African great ape sites to climate change impacts, [[#R02198|Kiribou et al. (2024)]] extracted climate data and data on projected extreme climate impact events for the site. Climatological characteristics were derived from observation-based climate data provided by the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISIMIP, www.isimip.org). Parameters were calculated as the average across each 30-year period. For 1981-2010, the EWEMBI dataset from ISIMIP2a was used. For the two future periods (2021-2050 and 2071-2099) ISIMIP2b climate data based on four CMIP5 global climate models were used. For future projections, two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) were used. RCP 2.6 is a scenario with strong mitigation measures in which global temperatures would likely rise below 2C. RCP 6.0 is a scenario with medium emissions in which global temperatures would likely rise up to 3C by 2100. For the number of days with heavy precipitation events, the 98th percentile of all precipitation days (>1mm/d) was calculated for the 1979-2013 reference period as a threshold for a heavy precipitation event. Then, for each year, the number of days above that threshold was derived. The figures on temperature and precipitation anomaly show the deviation from the mean temperature and mean precipitation for the 1979-2013 reference period.
 
As part of a study on the exposure of African great ape sites to climate change impacts, Kiribou et al. subm. extracted climate data and data on projected extreme climate impact events for the site. Climatological characteristics were derived from observation-based climate data provided by the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISIMIP, www.isimip.org). Parameters were calculated as the average across each 30-year period. For 1981-2010, the EWEMBI dataset from ISIMIP2a was used. For the two future periods (2021-2050 and 2071-2099) ISIMIP2b climate data based on four CMIP5 global climate models were used. For future projections, two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) were used. RCP 2.6 is a scenario with strong mitigation measures in which global temperatures would likely rise below 2C. RCP 6.0 is a scenario with medium emissions in which global temperatures would likely rise up to 3C by 2100. For the number of days with heavy precipitation events, the 98th percentile of all precipitation days (>1mm/d) was calculated for the 1979-2013 reference period as a threshold for a heavy precipitation event. Then, for each year, the number of days above that threshold was derived. The figures on temperature and precipitation anomaly show the deviation from the mean temperature and mean precipitation for the 1979-2013 reference period.


The estimated exposure to future extreme climate impact events (crop failure, drought, river flood, wildfire, tropical cyclone, and heatwave) is based on a published dataset by Lange et al. 2020 derived from ISIMIP2b data. The same global climate models and RCPs as described above were used. Within each 30-year period, the number of years with an extreme event and the average proportion of the site affected were calculated (see Kiribou et al. subm. for details).
The estimated exposure to future extreme climate impact events (crop failure, drought, river flood, wildfire, tropical cyclone, and heatwave) is based on a published dataset by Lange et al. 2020 derived from ISIMIP2b data. The same global climate models and RCPs as described above were used. Within each 30-year period, the number of years with an extreme event and the average proportion of the site affected were calculated ([[#R02198|Kiribou et al. 2024]]).


'''Table 8. Estimated past and projected climatological characteristics in Gashaka Gumti National Park'''
'''Table 8. Estimated past and projected climatological characteristics in Gashaka Gumti National Park'''
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= External links =
= External links =


NA
 


= References =
= References =


NA
<span id="R00590"></span>ANI (2025). ANI Annual report. Online: https://www.africanatureinvestors.org/resources
 
<span id="R00591"></span>BirdLife International (2020) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Gashaka-Gumti National Park. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 20/10/2020.
 
<span id="R00592"></span>Key Biodiversity Areas Partnership (2026) Key Biodiversity Areas factsheet: Gashaka-Gumti National Park. Extracted from the World Database of Key Biodiversity Areas. Developed by the Key Biodiversity Areas Partnership: BirdLife International, IUCN, American Bird Conservancy, Amphibian Survival Alliance, Conservation International, Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, Global Environment Facility, Re:wild, NatureServe, Rainforest Trust, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, World Wildlife Fund and Wildlife Conservation Society. Downloaded from https://keybiodiversityareas.org/ on Apr 8, 2026.
 
<span id="R00593"></span>Morgan, B., Adeleke, A., Bassey, T., Bergl, R., Dunn, A., Fotso, R., …, & Williamson, E. (2011). Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti). IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group and Zoological Society of San Diego. [https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/2011-123-Fr.pdf link]


BirdLife International (2020) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Gashaka-Gumti National Park. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 20/10/2020. <br>
<span id="R02198"></span>Kiribou, R., Tehoda, P., Chukwu, O., Bempah, G., Kühl, H. S., Ferreira, J., …, & Heinicke, S. (2024). Exposure of African ape sites to climate change impacts. ''PLOS Climate'', 3(2), e0000345. [https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000345 doi:10.1371/journal.pclm.0000345]
Key Biodiversity Areas Partnership (2026) Key Biodiversity Areas factsheet: Gashaka-Gumti National Park. Extracted from the World Database of Key Biodiversity Areas. Developed by the Key Biodiversity Areas Partnership: BirdLife International, IUCN, American Bird Conservancy, Amphibian Survival Alliance, Conservation International, Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, Global Environment Facility, Re:wild, NatureServe, Rainforest Trust, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, World Wildlife Fund and Wildlife Conservation Society. Downloaded from https://keybiodiversityareas.org/ on Apr 8, 2026.




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'''Page created by: '''APES Atlas Team''' Date:''' 2020-12-02
'''Page created by: '''APES Atlas Team''' Date:''' 2020-12-02


'''Page updated by: '''Tunde Morakinyo''' Date:''' 2026-04-06
'''Page updated by: '''Tunde Morakinyo''' Date:''' 2026-06-08

Latest revision as of 17:53, 15 October 2026

West Africa > Nigeria > Gashaka Gumti National Park

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Summary

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  • Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti) are present in Gashaka Gumti National Park.
  • In 2011, the population was estimated at 900-1,500 individuals (Morgan et al. 2011); the current population size is unknown.
  • The population trend is unknown.
  • The site has a total size of 5,907 km².
  • Key threats to chimpanzees include logging, mining, poaching and cattle herding.
  • Conservation activities implemented by ANI include patrols and countering illegal activities, as well as habitat protection an restoration, education, and incentives to local communities.
  • © ANI Foundation & Jack Devlin
  • © ANI Foundation & Jack Devlin
  • © ANI Foundation & Jack Devlin
  • © ANI Foundation & Jack Devlin
  • © ANI Foundation & Jack Devlin
  • © ANI Foundation & Jack Devlin

Site characteristics

The site is located in eastern Nigeria, bordering Cameroon. It is Nigeria's largest national park and was established in 1991. The Gumti sector is characterized by undulating terrain covered by savanna vegetation, whereas the Gashaka sector is more rugged and mountainous. Rivers originate in the highlands and flow downslope, providing moisture that sustains lowland forests alongside savanna vegetation at lower elevations. As a result, the park supports a wide diversity of vegetation types, including lowland rainforest, woodland savanna, cloud forest, and montane grassland. Importantly, it serves as a stronghold for several species of conservation concern, including the Nigeria–Cameroon chimpanzee, both white-bellied and giant pangolins, and Nigeria’s last confirmed leopard population (ANI 2025). Rich in bird biodiversity, the site is an Important Bird Area (BirdLife International 2020), as well as a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA 2026). The park has also been nominated as UNESCO World Heritage site.

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Table 1. Basic site information for Gashaka Gumti National Park

Species Pan troglodytes ellioti
Area 5,907 km²
Coordinates Lat: 7.538 , Lon: 11.611
Type of site Protected area (National Park)
Habitat types Subtropical/tropical moist lowland forest, Subtropical/tropical moist montane forest, Subtropical/tropical dry forest, Savanna
Type of governance Shared governance

Types of sites Governance types Habitat types

Ape status

Based on recent camera trap data, it is though that there are more than 1,500 chimpanzees inhabiting the site (Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026).

Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for Gashaka Gumti National Park

Species Year Occurrence Encounter or vistation rate (nests/km; ind/day) Density estimate [ind./ km²] (95% CI) Abundance estimate (95% CI) Survey area Sampling method Analytical framework Source Comments A.P.E.S. database ID
Pan troglodytes ellioti 2026 Present Gashaka Gumti National Park Camera trap Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
Pan troglodytes ellioti 2025 Present Gashaka Gumti National Park Camera trap Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
Pan troglodytes ellioti 2024 Present Gashaka Gumti National Park Camera trap Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026
Pan troglodytes ellioti 2023 Present Gashaka Gumti National Park Camera trap Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026

Sampling methods Analytical frameworks

Threats

The park and its wildlife are threatened by logging, poaching, artisanal mining, and cattle grazing, driven in part by a chronic lack of funding (ANI 2025) to the park for many years. Within the park boundaries, there are eight legally recognized enclave settlements with a population of 2,400 inhabitants. These enclaves predate the establishment of the national park and were informally allowed to remain due to the lack of government funding for resettlement. More recently, an additional four informal settlements have been identified outside the designated enclaves. Another 60 settlements live within 2km of the park boundary in the buffer zone with an approximate population of 100,000. The primary livelihoods of these communities are cattle grazing and subsistence farming. Owing to the remoteness, the communities living within the national park, experience high levels of poverty and lack access to basic services, such as healthcare facilities, potable water, electricity, and roads. On average, they are a day’s travel from the nearest markets, and livelihoods remain largely subsistence-based, with limited prospects for improved roads or access to government services. Additionally, the park has become an important area for nomadic pastoralists who bring cattle into and around the park from other parts of Nigeria and West Africa during the dry season (ANI 2025). The following threats in Table 3 were recorded by WWF in 1996, when they were present in the park (Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026).

Table 3. Threats to apes reported for Gashaka Gumti National Park

Category Specific threats Threat level Description Year of threat
1 Residential & commercial development 1.1 Residential areas Present (unknown severity) Four settlements exist outside enclave areas for settlements, leading to habitat degradation and destruction (ANI 2025). 2018-Ongoing (2026)
2 Agriculture & aquaculture 2.1.1 Shifting agriculture Low (up to 30% of population affected) Agricultural activities in the buffer zone outside the site (ANI 2025, Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026). 2018-Ongoing (2026)
2 Agriculture & aquaculture 2.3 Livestock farming & ranching High (more than 70% of population affected) Presence of transhumance with associated forest fires set by herders to encourage fresh grasses for their cattle (ANI 2026). 2018-Ongoing (2026)
3 Energy production & mining 3.2.3 Artisanal mining Low (up to 30% of population affected) Gold mining occurs along the boundary of the park (ANI 2025, Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026). The presence of miners is linked to other threats, such as insecurity and bushmeat hunting. 2018-Ongoing (2026)
5 Biological resource use 5.1.1 Subsistence bushmeat hunting Medium (30-70% of population affected) Subsistence bushmeat hunting would be much higher without rangers present (ANI 2025, Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026). 2018-Ongoing (2026)
5 Biological resource use 5.1.3 Commercial bushmeat trade Low (up to 30% of population affected) ANI 2025 2018-Ongoing (2026)
5 Biological resource use 5.3.1 Subsistence logging Medium (30-70% of population affected) ANI 2025 2018-Ongoing (2026)
6 Human intrusions & disturbance 6.2 War, civil unrest & military exercises Medium (30-70% of population affected) ANI 2025 2018-Ongoing (2026)
7 Natural system modifications 7.1 Fire & fire suppression High (more than 70% of population affected) Fires associated with illegal uncontrolled cattle grazing have caused significant degradation and deforestation, with early estimates suggesting between 60-70% of the park burns annually (ANI 2025). 2018-Ongoing (2026)
8 Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases 8.1 Invasive non-native/alien species Low (up to 30% of population affected) Several invasive species are present in the park, including Gmelina arborea, Chromolaena ororata, and Calopogonium mucunoides (ANI 2025). 2018-Ongoing (2026)

Threats

Conservation activities

In 1991, two game reserves were merged to form Gashaka Gumti National Park (GGNP), one of seven national parks established with the creation of the National Park Service (NPS). From 1994 to 2008, NPS received additional management support for Gashaka Gumti National Park from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF). However, these parties pulled out and between 2008 and 2017, no external support was provided for park management, and the condition of the park declined. University College London supported research in the park until these responsibilities were transferred to Chester Zoo, which withdrew in 2017 largely due to security concerns. In the same year, the Africa Nature Investors (ANI) Foundation signed a 30 year agreement with NPS establishing a bilateral co-management partnership, enabling ANI to provide technical, financial, and managerial support aimed at restoring and developing GGNP (ANI 2025). The following conservation activities and challenges to their implementation are ongoing in 2026 (Morakinyo pers. comm. 2026).

Table 4. Conservation activities reported for Gashaka Gumti National Park

Category Specific activity Description Implementing organization(s) Year of activity
1 Development impact mitigation 1.3 Prohibit (livestock) farmers from entering protected areas ANI 2025 Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service 2020-Ongoing (2026)
2 Counter-wildlife crime 2.3 Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols ANI 2025 Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service 2021-Ongoing (2026)
2 Counter-wildlife crime 2.6 Regularly de-activate/remove ground snares ANI 2025 Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service 2020-Ongoing (2026)
2 Counter-wildlife crime 2.7 Provide better equipment (e.g., guns) to anti-poaching ranger patrols ANI 2025 Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service 2020-Ongoing (2026)
2 Counter-wildlife crime 2.8 Provide training to anti-poaching ranger patrols ANI 2025 Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service 2020-Ongoing (2026)
2 Counter-wildlife crime 2.11 Implement monitoring surveillance strategies (e.g., SMART) or use monitoring data to improve effectiveness of wildlife law enforcement patrols ANI 2025 Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service 2023-Ongoing (2026)
2 Counter-wildlife crime 2.12 Implement community control of patrolling, banning hunting and removing snares ANI 2025 Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service 2020-Ongoing (2026)
2 Counter-wildlife crime 2.13 Provide sustainable alternative livelihoods; establish fish- or domestic meat farms ANI 2025 Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service 2020-Ongoing (2026)
2 Counter-wildlife crime 2.14 Employ hunters in the conservation sector to reduce their impact ANI 2025 Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service 2020-Ongoing (2026)
4 Education & awareness 4.1 Educate local communities about apes and sustainable use ANI 2025 Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service 2020-Ongoing (2026)
4 Education & awareness 4.2 Involve local community in ape research and conservation management ANI 2025 Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service 2020-Ongoing (2026)
4 Education & awareness 4.4 Regularly play TV & radio announcements to raise ape conservation awareness ANI 2025 Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service 2020-Ongoing (2026)
4 Education & awareness 4.5 Implement multimedia campaigns using theatre, film, print media, discussions ANI 2025 Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service 2020-Ongoing (2026)
5 Protection & restoration 5.1 Create buffer zones around protected ape habitat ANI 2025 Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service 2020-Ongoing (2026)
5 Protection & restoration 5.2 Legally protect ape habitat The park was designated as a National Park in 1991 (ANI 2025). Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service 1991-Ongoing (2026)
5 Protection & restoration 5.3 Establish areas for conservation which are not protected by national or international legislation (e.g., private sector standards & codes) ANI 2025 Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service 2020-Ongoing (2026)
5 Protection & restoration 5.5 Demarcate and enforce boundaries of protected areas ANI 2025 Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service 2020-Ongoing (2026)
5 Protection & restoration 5.6 Habitat restoration ANI 2025 Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service 2020-Ongoing (2026)
5 Protection & restoration 5.9 Resettle illegal human communities (i.e., in a protected area) to another location ANI 2025 Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service 2020-Ongoing (2026)
5 Protection & restoration 5.10 Use prescribed burning within the context of home range size and use ANI 2025 Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service 2020-Ongoing (2026)
7 Economic & other incentives 7.1 Provide monetary benefits to local communities for sustainably managing their forest and its wildlife (e.g., REDD, alternative income, employment) ANI 2025 Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service 2020-Ongoing (2026)
7 Economic & other incentives 7.2 Provide non-monetary benefits to local communities for sustainably managing their forest and its wildlife (e.g., better education, infrastructure development) ANI 2025 Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service 2020-Ongoing (2026)
8 Permanent presence 8.1 Run research project and ensure permanent human presence at site ANI 2025 Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service Ongoing (2026)
8 Permanent presence 8.3 Permanent presence of staff/manager ANI 2025 Africa Nature Investors (ANI), National Park Service Ongoing (2026)

Conservation activities

  • © ANI Foundation & Jack Devlin
  • © ANI Foundation & Jack Devlin
  • © ANI Foundation & Jack Devlin
  • © ANI Foundation & Jack Devlin

Challenges

Table 5. Challenges reported for Gashaka Gumti National Park

Challenges Specific challenges Source Year(s)
1 Site management 1.1 Need for improved leadership ANI 2025 Ongoing (2026)
1 Site management 1.2 Need for improved coordination ANI 2025 Ongoing (2026)
1 Site management 1.3 Corruption ANI 2025 Ongoing (2026)
2 Resources and capacity 2.1 Lack of capacity/training ANI 2025 Ongoing (2026)
2 Resources and capacity 2.2 Lack of staff ANI 2025 Ongoing (2026)
2 Resources and capacity 2.3 General lack of funding ANI 2025 Ongoing (2026)
2 Resources and capacity 2.4 Lack of continuous/long-term funding ANI 2025 Ongoing (2026)
2 Resources and capacity 2.5 Lack of equipment ANI 2025 Ongoing (2026)
2 Resources and capacity 2.6 Lack of biomonitoring/survey data ANI 2025 Ongoing (2026)
2 Resources and capacity 2.7 Lack of infrastructure ANI 2025 Ongoing (2026)
2 Resources and capacity 2.8 Lack of evidence of conservation effectiveness ANI 2025 Ongoing (2026)
3 Engaged community 3.1 General lack of community engagement or support ANI 2025 Ongoing (2026)
3 Engaged community 3.2 Lack of youth engagement ANI 2025 Ongoing (2026)
3 Engaged community 3.3 Lack of volunteers ANI 2025 Ongoing (2026)
3 Engaged community 3.4 Eroding taboos in favor of conservation ANI 2025 Ongoing (2026)
3 Engaged community 3.5 Anticipated disadvantages/costs created by conservation activities (e.g., restricted access/ resource use) ANI 2025 Ongoing (2026)
4 Institutional support 4.1 Lack of law enforcement ANI 2025 Ongoing (2026)
4 Institutional support 4.2 Lack of government support ANI 2025 Ongoing (2026)
4 Institutional support 4.4 Lack of transboundary cooperation ANI 2025 Ongoing (2026)
5 Ecological context 5.1 Ecological constraints (e.g., susceptibility to climate change, difficult terrain) ANI 2025 Ongoing (2026)
6 Safety and stability 6.1 Political/economic instability ANI 2025 Ongoing (2026)
6 Safety and stability 6.2 Insecurity ANI 2025 Ongoing (2026)

Challenges

Enablers

Research activities

Documented behaviours

Table 7. Behaviours documented for Gashaka Gumti National Park

Category Behavior Observation type Prevalence Observation dates Source Habituation Species Comment
Not reported

Behaviours

Exposure to climate change impacts

As part of a study on the exposure of African great ape sites to climate change impacts, Kiribou et al. (2024) extracted climate data and data on projected extreme climate impact events for the site. Climatological characteristics were derived from observation-based climate data provided by the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISIMIP, www.isimip.org). Parameters were calculated as the average across each 30-year period. For 1981-2010, the EWEMBI dataset from ISIMIP2a was used. For the two future periods (2021-2050 and 2071-2099) ISIMIP2b climate data based on four CMIP5 global climate models were used. For future projections, two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) were used. RCP 2.6 is a scenario with strong mitigation measures in which global temperatures would likely rise below 2C. RCP 6.0 is a scenario with medium emissions in which global temperatures would likely rise up to 3C by 2100. For the number of days with heavy precipitation events, the 98th percentile of all precipitation days (>1mm/d) was calculated for the 1979-2013 reference period as a threshold for a heavy precipitation event. Then, for each year, the number of days above that threshold was derived. The figures on temperature and precipitation anomaly show the deviation from the mean temperature and mean precipitation for the 1979-2013 reference period.

The estimated exposure to future extreme climate impact events (crop failure, drought, river flood, wildfire, tropical cyclone, and heatwave) is based on a published dataset by Lange et al. 2020 derived from ISIMIP2b data. The same global climate models and RCPs as described above were used. Within each 30-year period, the number of years with an extreme event and the average proportion of the site affected were calculated (Kiribou et al. 2024).

Table 8. Estimated past and projected climatological characteristics in Gashaka Gumti National Park

Value 1981-2010 2021-2050, RCP 2.6 2021-2050, RCP 6.0 2071-2099, RCP 2.6 2071-2099, RCP 6.0
Mean temperature [C] 24 25.2 24.9 25.4 26.5
Annual precipitation [mm] 1668 1733 1739 1698 1749
Max no. consecutive dry days (per year) 61.6 69 68.9 67.9 69.5
No. days with heavy precipitation (per year) 4.8 4.8 4.8 5 6.2


Table 9. Projected exposure of apes to extreme climate impact events in Gashaka Gumti National Park

Type No. of years with event (2021-2050, RCP 2.6) % of site exposed (2021-2050, RCP 2.6) No. of years with event (2021-2050, RCP 6.0) % of site exposed (2021-2050, RCP 6.0) No. of years with event (2070-2099, RCP 2.6) % of site exposed (2070-2099, RCP 2.6) No. of years with event (2070-2099, RCP 6.0) % of site exposed (2070-2099, RCP 6.0)
Crop failure 8 0.11 7 0.19 4.5 0.06 21.5 0.21
Drought 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Heatwave 1 33.33 0.5 16.67 0.5 16.67 1.5 58.33
River flood 1 0.34 1 0.6 1.5 0.55 4.25 0.83
Tropical cyclone 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Wildfire 30 1.11 30 0.97 29 0.97 29 1.09


  • Precipitation anomaly in Gashaka-Gumti National Park
  • Temperature anomaly in Gashaka-Gumti National Park

External links

References

ANI (2025). ANI Annual report. Online: https://www.africanatureinvestors.org/resources

BirdLife International (2020) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Gashaka-Gumti National Park. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 20/10/2020.

Key Biodiversity Areas Partnership (2026) Key Biodiversity Areas factsheet: Gashaka-Gumti National Park. Extracted from the World Database of Key Biodiversity Areas. Developed by the Key Biodiversity Areas Partnership: BirdLife International, IUCN, American Bird Conservancy, Amphibian Survival Alliance, Conservation International, Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, Global Environment Facility, Re:wild, NatureServe, Rainforest Trust, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, World Wildlife Fund and Wildlife Conservation Society. Downloaded from https://keybiodiversityareas.org/ on Apr 8, 2026.

Morgan, B., Adeleke, A., Bassey, T., Bergl, R., Dunn, A., Fotso, R., …, & Williamson, E. (2011). Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti). IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group and Zoological Society of San Diego. link

Kiribou, R., Tehoda, P., Chukwu, O., Bempah, G., Kühl, H. S., Ferreira, J., …, & Heinicke, S. (2024). Exposure of African ape sites to climate change impacts. PLOS Climate, 3(2), e0000345. doi:10.1371/journal.pclm.0000345


Page created by: APES Atlas Team Date: 2020-12-02

Page updated by: Tunde Morakinyo Date: 2026-06-08

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