Langoue Bai

In 2002, Gabon President Omar Bongo Odimba created 13 national parks for his country and the world. Since then, WCS, whose scientists have been at work in Gabon since 1985, has been collaborating with the government in managing eight of those protected areas. In the southern half of the new Ivindo National Park, WCS biologist Mike Fay discovered a natural forest clearing of great importance to wildlife during his Mega-transect walk across Central Africa in 2000. The clearing, called Langoue Bai, is a high conservation priority because of the large numbers of forest elephants and western lowland gorillas that visit it on a regular basis.

The Human Aspect

There are no villages inside Ivindo National Park, although fishing and hunting communities do exist close to its northern border; the communities on the park’s southern side do not venture frequently into the park. The isolation of Langoue Bai has left it largely immune to pressure from hunters.

Threats

Hunting and fishing remain the most direct threats to conservation efforts in Ivindo National Park. There is concern that the recent opening of new roads by logging companies may increase hunting access. Local hunters mainly take antelopes, wild pigs, and monkeys, which are sold locally and shipped to the capital city, Libreville. There is some illegal trade in elephant ivory, and with endangered specie. Overall, however, direct threats to Langoue Bai are considered to be minimal.

WCS Activities

Since 2001, Gabonese researchers trained by WCS have been monitoring the wildlife populations that frequent Langoue Bai. To date, they have recorded more than 1,000 forest elephants visiting the clearing. In addition, monitoring of wildlife at fruit-bearing trees that was begun in 2004. Long-term data on animal populations, fruiting trees, and weather will provide a valuable database for future researchers. Currently, a research facility is being built which will have space to host tourists. Developing Gabon as an eco-tourist destination is a prime goal, and Langoue Bai is an ideal location because of the ease with which visitors can see large mammals in an open space.

Important Next Steps

WCS’s commitment to Langoue Bai will continue to include programs to train Gabonese nationals, conduct field research, and develop tourism. Future (ongoing) goals include:

• Monitoring the abundance of forest elephants, western lowland gorillas, and other wildlife in and around Langoue Bai
• Training research support staff
• Building a research/tourism facility