minkebe NATIONAL PARK KEY FACTS VAST PRIMEVAL FOREST

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2 PHASE THREE DEVELOPMENT minkebe NATIONAL PARK VAST PRIMEVAL FOREST Deep in the interior of Gabon, Minkebe is at the heart of Africa s rainforest primeval - part of the second largest forest block remaining in the world - and home to a remarkable elephant population. Dramatically domed granite mountains (called inselbergs) emerged millions of years ago. Great forest trees, many hundreds of years old, soar upward 50 meters, some crowned with wild orchid and fern gardens, or supporting huge twining lianas. It feels like an ancient place untouched by people. Remote parks like Minkebe and Mwagna are ideal for adventure tourism (hence some proposals for the two parks are interchangeable). Wilderness tourism has great mystique. Minkebe, one of the planet s last untamed frontiers, offers unique opportunities for tourism that will benefit and protect the area if done properly. While human population is low here, local people will benefit from jobs stimulated by tourism. KEY FACTS MINKEBE NATIONAL PARK DATE CREATED: 2002 AREA: 7560 Km 2 HIGHEST MOUNTAIN: Mt. Kokaméguèl, 938m HABITATS: Primary Forest and Secondary Forest PROVINCE: Woleu-Ntem and Ogooué Ivindo STATUS: IUCN Critical Site for conservation, poposed World Heritage Site One of Africa s largest rainforest wildernesses, Minkebe is a significant area for oxygen production and carbon sequestration - forests like this are critical for diminishing the negative effects of global warming. The area s biodiversity is equally important as home to an estimated 30,000 Forest Elephants. Many charismatic species inhabit this forest, although some are rarely seen, such as the magnificent Bongo Antelope, Giant Forest Hog, and Black and White Colobus. While funds from wilderness tourism will benefit Minkebe National Park and neighboring peoples, the costs of maintaining and protecting the Park and buffer zone will need supplementation. Funds from the global community are needed, to maintain an asset valuable to the entire planet. LEFT: Minkebe is believed to host Gabon s largest leopard population (estimated at 822 individuals by Dr. Phillipp Henschel in 2007) MINKEBE FAR LEFT: Today the land remains barely touched by man. MINKEBE NATIONAL PARK 220

3 OYEM Hunting Pressure The Oyem area offers another access point to park visitors. The Minvoul area offers the possibility of trips with the Baka pygmies and river trips up to the sources of the Ntem River, in the heart of Minkebe. Groups of traditional cultures, including Baka pygmies, still live in the northern Minkebe area. Mvoung River INSELBERGS INSELBERGS A geologist would say the domed rock mountains are granite inselbergs, left behind as nearby softer rock eroded millions of years ago. The tourist would say they offer panoramic vistas over the sea of mysterious forest around them. Manima Families of the monstrous and impressive Giant Forest Hog are hard to find and have rarely been photographed by researchers or tourists. Minkebe has high numbers of Forest Elephants, but also considerable pressure from poaching along the northern and eastern park boundaries. Oua River A few hundred gold miners can be found scattered in small camps. Mysterious crater - did a meteorite crash down here millions of years ago? The rainforest canopy is largely unbroken for hundreds of kilometers, thus providing an exceptional feeling of wilderness primeval. The Bongo, Africa s most impressive antelope, is among the more elusive inhabitants of Minkebe, found in small numbers here. WWF-funded anti-poaching guard patrols regularly inspect the periphery of the Park and in particular the rivers and logging roads that provide a certain access to Minkebe s core. Patrols try to protect elephants and other large mammals from poachers. Nouna River River travel is the normal way to access the Park as there are no roads leading to it and no landing strips. 221 MINKEBE NATIONAL PARK

4 Low densities of gorillas and chimps remain after the Ebola virus swept through the area and moved on to Congo. The Minkebe rainforest is wild and largely uninhabited, offering great opportunity for nature tourism. minkebe national park N DEEP IN WILD RAINFOREST The forest primeval of the Minkebe area is part of the largest wilderness area left in Equatorial Africa, offering potential as a model for a sustainability program integrating ecotourism and global climate change mitigation. Its rich diversity of mega-mammals has long been known; for this reason Minkebe was selected as a global priority by WWF (their Minkebe program began in 1997). The Park s Forest Elephant population is particularly high, while gorilla and chimp populations are low due to disease that swept through in the 1990s. The entire Minkebe-Mwagna-Ivindo area has value for adventure wilderness tourism. Part of the upscale nature tourism market wants the thrill of going deep into the heart of Africa s mysterious rainforest, with the possibility of discovering elusive forest creatures such as leopards, giant pangolins, and forest antelopes in a natural, undisturbed world. Landing on and exploring a remote Minkebe inselberg is an adventure akin to a lunar landing. Going to the proposed Deep Forest Nightlodge and wandering safely in the canopy to see nocturnal species would be unique to Minkebe. The possibility of exploring wild rivers and meeting ancient Forest People futher enhances the value of Minkebe for tourism. (Groups of Baka Pygmies are in areas east and west of the Park.) Nearby Odzala NP in the Republic of Congo also represents part of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership, supported by joint major initiatives of the European Union, France, USAID and USFWS, the UN Foundation/Unesco, and private donors. MINKEBE While certain primate species have good-sized populations, chimpanzees and gorillas have had problems with disease. MINKEBE NATIONAL PARK 222

5 Exploring Forest Frontiers The Minkebe area is one of the wildest and least understood places in Africa s forests. Life in Minkebe s canopy treetops and on isolated rock inselbergs lie virtually unstudied. Flora and fauna of the Ogooué basin and Congo basin cross over here, creating a diverse array of species. Ancient rock outcrops covered with grass dramatically punctuate the forest. RIGHT: Some trees are hundreds of years old, providing oxygen and homes for thousands of smaller plants, birds, mammals, butterflies, and other invertebrates. The seemingly endless rainforest canopy at Minkebe is a survivor of a once much larger African rainforest, thus all the more important to protect for its role in slowing global warming. RENÉ HILAIRE ADIAHENO PARCS GABON ABOVE: Euphorbia and other specialist plants growing on rocks don t need to compete with forest trees for light but need unique adaptations to survive this harsh exposed environment. The area s vast forest is large enough to be positively affect global climate change.

6 rare forest animals MYSTICAL DEEP FOREST SPECIES Minkebe is a place for tourists to find hidden treasures in the deep forest, as many vertebrate populations exist in this undisturbed environment. Here visitors might see elephants, giant pangolins, aardvark, leopards, buffaloes, pythons, five species of duiker, sitatunga, crowned eagles, slender-snouted crocodiles, otters, and a variety of monkeys. Present though rarely seen, elusive Bongo Antelopes roam the Minkebe forest, along with the world s most beautiful and ugliest pigs. The beauty, the Red River Hog, is crisply marked russet, black, and white, with long elegant ear tassels that possibly serve as visual tools to help keep large family groups (sometimes several dozen animals) together in thick forest. People find the huge facial lumps of the all-black Giant Forest Hog as unattractive as curious. These two species are high on the list of animals to see for wildlife aficionados. The advent of tech tourism will enable tourists to see more animals. Surveys on Forest Elephant populations throughout the Minkebe forest area (including Cameroon and Congo) indicate that high numbers of elephants are found in the Park, with the highest density furthest from human settlements and roads. Among all MIKE (Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants) sites studied, data indicate that Minkebe has the highest elephant population in the protected areas network of Central Africa. However, elephant poaching is heavy, particularly in the northern area. This area has the largest Forest Elephant population in the Congo Basin. PAUWEL DE WACHTER MINKEBE PRINCIPAL TECHNICAL ADVISOR, WWF MINKEBE LEFT TO RIGHT, FROM TOP: Minkebe s forest hosts two wild pig species Red River Hogs and Giant Forest Hogs, although the two are rarely seen. Beautifully-striped Bongo antelopes, Africa s most elusive antelopes, are rarely seen except with camera traps (as photographed here). They come to mineral-rich bais at night and sometimes appear in the inselberg grass meadows. Minkebe has a high population of Forest Elephants, which are easier to see. Two species of seed- and flower-eating monkeys are found high in the canopy. The first, the spectacular De Brazza Monkey, is widespread across East and Central Africa. The other is the Satanic or Black Colobus, a strange and little-known monkey with pointed ears - rarely seen, with a range mainly restricted to coastal forests. MINKEBE NATIONAL PARK 224

7 Trust Funds for Nature Dja Ngoto As global reservoirs of carbon, biodiversity, and wilderness values, the great National Parks of Gabon s interior (Minkebe, Mwagna, Lopé, and Ivindo), and the wild forest between them planned for logging, need consideration by the global donor community for long-term support. These parks will be important for ecotourism in Gabon but tourism alone may not generate sufficient funds to carry the cost of park operation and local jobs. Among other possible funding plans, an independant Trust Fund for Parks needs consideration - as does a fund for carbon sequestration. The World Bank s innovative $4 million trust fund for Bwindi National Park in Uganda was a success and is now being followed in the tri-national area of Cameroon, Congo, and Central African Republic. Gabon s new National Parks Law lays the legal and fiscal framework for the establishment of a fund for the 13 National Parks created in The great rainforest of the Congo Basin is the lungs of Europe DR. LEE WHITE WCS GABON Lopé Mengame Minkebe Ivindo Mwagna Boumba-Bek Nki Odzala Dzanga- Sangha TRIDOM: The Tri-national Dja/Odzala/Minkebe Forest (WWF) CARBON SEQUESTRATION This region represents a vast, undisturbed rain forest that plays dual key roles as a global reserve of standing carbon and the watertower of the Ivindo basin, whose extensive swamps soak up rainfall like a massive sponge and then gradually release clear, filtered water throughout the year. It is only logical that future legislation beyond the Kyoto treaty will acknowledge the effort made by Gabon by setting aside over 10% of its land area to protect biodiversity and standing carbon stocks in part to mitigate global climate change. Scientists are just beginning to inventory forests regarding capability for carbon sequestration.

8 KEY GABON PARKS (1) PARK AREA VILLAGE ZONE (3) VILLAGE ZONE Cameroon protecting the minkebe Forest SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF A MAJOR RAINFOREST BLOCK PARK INFRASTRUCTURE (1A) ENTRY OFFICE PATROL RESEARCH AIRSTRIP CONCESSIONAIRE ZONE (2) CONCESSION H PROPOSED HOTEL SITE H PROPOSED HOTEL (Site to be Found) H C C EXISTING HOTEL PROPOSED CAMP SITE EXISTING CAMP SITE AIRSTRIP P 5km Buffer Zone OFF LIMITS ZONE (4) NO GO ZONE BUFFER ZONE (5) BUFFER TRANSPORTATION MAJOR ROAD MINOR ROAD UNIMPROVED PROPOSED ROAD TRAIL PROPOSED TRAIL TRAIN TRAIN STATION MEGATRANSECT Dr. Michael Fay s historic Megatransect passed directly through Minkebe Park and its inselbergs. Hunting Pressure ANCIENT POPULATIONS In the past, this area was quite heavily populated. Trees that have grown up around the old settlements are particularly attractive to gorillas. Route of the Megatransect H 5km Buffer Zone Old Site of Minkebe GOLD MINING CAMPS This area is rich in alluvial gold which draws miners to camps along the rivers. The environmental impact is of some concern. Republic of the Congo Hunting Pressure WWF ACTIVITY IN MINKEBE WWF has played a major role in protecting this area. Their extensive patrols and training for local people have had a significant effect. The extensive rainforest of northeastern Gabon is a great global reservoir for both carbon and biodiversity, thus a priority for the world to protect. Additionally the area has notably high numbers of elephants, long an object of protection efforts by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and a CITES priority. WWF s Pauwel De Wachter has led an important effort to protect Minkebe and can help ensure the Park s integrity for the future. Problems with hunting from adjacent small gold mining camps could have long-term negative impacts on the Park unless monitored. Innovative international joint support through the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) provides a major initial impetus to enable African rainforest nations to protect their important global resources. Minkebe National Park is part of a multi-national effort to protect a major transborder rainforest block, the Tri-national Dja Odzala Minkebe Forest (TRIDOM). This forest, spread over northern Gabon, southeastern Cameroon, and northwestern Congo covers 150,000 kmç and serves as the Congo Basin s major stronghold for large wildlife. A concerted landscape conservation effort takes place with funding from USAID, EU, the French Government, USFWS, WWF, UNDP/GEF, UNESCO, and the UN Foundation. Local economic development is needed to diminish rural poverty. The ecotourism vision proposed here can help provide local jobs and incentives for conserving animals, as well as partial funds for managing the Park - but creative international solutions must be sought to ensure continued support for this important global resource. BELOW: Two major issues for protecting the Minkebe forest are elephant poaching and gold mining. The MIKE survey in the northern periphery of the Park, close to Cameroon, found as many as 40 elephant carcasses/1000km 2. Patrols around the Park perimeter have had a demonstrable effect in slowing elephant poaching but require ongoing vigilance, especially on the north border near Cameroon. Transborder collaboration with Congo and Cameroon is quickly developing. Outside the Park, gold mining could become problematic if it were to expand or to allow mercury and other toxins into pristine rivers. MINKEBE INSELBERGS Spectacular rock inselbergs in this area present an opportunity to carefully develop a unique tourist destination. H H Inselberg Area POTENTIAL HOUSEBOATS Houseboats along the river might be one way to gain access to the Park while leaving the environment relatively untouched. N Inselberg Area POSSIBLE DAM In the future, a dam may be built to generate power for processing the vast quantities of iron in this area. P R Km MINKEBE NATIONAL PARK 226

9 A Unique Lodge for Night Viewing There would be a lot to see at the Deep Forest Nightlodge. Guests would have the luxury of spending late hours in the Deep Forest Bar where oneway glass hides visitors from view, allowing forest antelopes, hogs, elephants, several kinds of duikers, and even predators to feel comfortable getting up-close. The area can be bugged with inconspicuous cameras and listening devices to allow people to secretly watch the animals. A number of hidden cameras in the area will enable guests to see everything that s happening with their own eyes, and on large-screen monitors in the bar. Guests can return to their room, perched on the rock above by the aerial stairs and walkway that keep guests well above elephants. A sightings log with digital photos could be updated each night so that it can be seen online around the world. No other place will be exactly like the Deep Forest Nightlodge. ABOVE: While many guests may hope to see a Leopard or Bongo Antelope coming for a drink of water, others will hope for close views of a rarely seen Marsh Mongoose or a hairy family of Giant Forest Hogs in the moonlight. BELOW: The Nightlodge would be perched for panoramic views to capture the grandeur of the landscape with immediate access to the action in the forest below. ABOVE: While it is worth the wait for big night animals to emerge in the moonlight-toned spotlights around the Deep Forest Bar observatory, more than six kinds of owls are best found with nightscopes. Pottos, bushbabies and other small mammals who come for nectar might be seen by nightscopes or by fixed, remote-focus rotated spycams. VISION WCS & cresolus 227 MINKEBE NATIONAL PARK

10 VISION deep forest nightlodge NIGHT ACTIVITIES IN A UNIQUE LOCATION The proposed Deep Forest Nightlodge would perch alongside one of Minkebe s spectacular great rock inselbergs (or a similar location in the buffer zone). A lodge just atop the forest canopy would enable panoramic vistas for tens of kilometers, and intimate experiences exploring the rock and forest below. There is much to do by day hikes on the inselberg and through rainforest trails with guides (each guest carrying personal telemetry locators), or remote monitoring of camera traps from the comfort of the lodge. Guests may choose birding or monkey watching from a walkway that descends from above the treeline into the canopy, and then zigzags to the forest floor far below. WCS & cresolus Much of the action, however, will be at night. If a real saline cannot be found at the base of an inselberg, a faux bai can be created here (as done at Treetops and The Ark in Kenya) to provide animals with the salts they require. Most of Minkebe s mammals are naturally nocturnal so special observation posts, faux moonlight, night-adjusted spycams, and night goggles could enable lodge guests to see wildlife in total darkness without disturbing the animals. After dinner visitors can descend the walkway to the comfortable ground-level Deep Forest Bar to relax in an observatory with a wide view over the lighted forest clearing. Here they may wait for many hours to see if the elusive Bongo Antelope comes in that night...or perhaps a family of elephants will appear instead. MINKEBE A mini camera near a nectar feeder would enable close views of normally hard-to-see Bushbabies. ABOVE AND LEFT: The Deep Forest Bar would have a wide view for a hundred meters into a clearing under the forest trees, enabling guests in chairs - comfortable enough for dozing - to spend many hours to see what arrives in the night. This will be a deluxe version of places in Congo where rare forest antelopes might be seen at night. The Deep Forest Bar will be equipped with hidden cameras and other elements to see night species up-close. MINKEBE NATIONAL PARK 228

11 Exploring Remote Rivers Guests will have unexpected adventures while exploring the magnificent rivers around Minkebe. Experiences can include interactions with wildlife and with people like local fishermen and pygmy trackers in the forest. The Ntem River is excellent for the viewing buffalo or elephant in open clearings along the headwaters, though it can take four days to get there. It will be a visit tourists never forget. TOP LEFT: Cassin s Flycatcher only lives along equatorial African rivers. LEFT: The faraway Minkebe area is a beautiful place, inhabited only by a few fishermen. RIGHT: Time may have stopped in parts of interior Gabon. Here a member of a local family mends fishing lines. Authentic Africa is what the knowledgeable traveler is looking for on Gabon s remote rivers. LOWER RIGHT: Sitatunga might also be seen crossing the stream. BELOW: Suddenly the pirogue rounds a corner to find both tourist and elephant surprised. 229 MINKEBE NATIONAL PARK

12 VISION deep forest experiences ESCAPE TO A MAJESTIC PLACE FAR IN THE INTERIOR As coastal and central sites become developed for tourism, some travelers will want to go deeper into the interior. Minkebe, with spectacular rock outcroppings and interior wildlife, offers the lure. A lodge investor here will need to examine markets and costs, and be prepared for considerable investment to make an experience good enough that guests will happily pay high prices for exclusive access to one of the world s last great rainforest wildernesses. While construction costs will be high (for transport of materials deep into Gabon), the ability to create a powerful, unique visitor experience capable of drawing international attention, like the proposed Deep Forest Nightlodge, justifies high prices. The affluent tourist market expects special comforts and treatment. Additionally it will be critical for the lodge investor to work with trained biologists to guarantee the partial acclimation of animals before opening. RIGHT: A spectacular sundown with friends on an inselberg floating above the forest would add to a wonderful experience at Minkebe. BELOW: By day the view is equally powerful and may be interrupted by huge eagles soaring over the canopy or monkeys in distant trees. VISION WCS & cresolus The Nightlodge can be built of prefabricated lightweight waterproof units and transported in pieces to facilitate construction. Composting toilets and other sustainable elements of Parcs Gabon construction are required. Minkebe is so distant from roads that getting visitors here could be seen as either a liability or an opportunity for hotel operators. The trip should be viewed by both operators and guests as an adventure integral to a deep forest getaway experience, a romantic way for guests to feel that they are escaping civilization to one of the most distant places on the planet. Most visitors will come by beautiful river trips, for which boats must have silent motors to enable guests to observe undisturbed wildlife en route. The optimal - but expensive - way to arrive is by helicopter, skimming just over the treetops of seemingly limitless primeval forest, then dropping down on top of the lodge s great rock inselbergs for a dramatic arrival. Guests would then depart by river, stopping to look for elephants and to meet local people. Travel is integral to the experience. MINKEBE While some would come by boat, the most exciting way to arrive at the Deep Forest Nightlodge is a dramatic helicopter landing on top of an inselberg. Minkebe is so distant and the rock pinnacles so fascinating in the sea of green trees that landing here may be akin to landing on the moon. WCS & cresolus MINKEBE NATIONAL PARK 230