Annual Research & Review in Biology

Data on the contributions of indigenous knowledge of gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli), chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti) and buffalo (Syncerus caffer) to conservation, in the Black Bush Area of Waindow (BBAW): Menchum south, North West Region of Cameroon, was collected from August to October 2013. The general objective of the research was to establish elicit information on the indigenous knowledge of gorilla, chimpanzee and buffalo which can contribute to their conservation in the study site. Research data were obtained through an interviewer-administered questionnaire survey in five (5) hills of the study site (Attue, Itiaku, Akalieu, Njouhchou and Toukechiachia), purposively selected based on the presence of hunting camps within the hills. Indigenous knowledge systems, such as, cultural laws and regulations, gender in hunting wildlife and traditional beliefs / taboos, greatly influences the conservation of these species in the study area. Gorilla, chimpanzee and buffalo meat or body parts were in high demanded for food, medicinal and ritualistic purposes resulting to excessive poaching. Therefore, it is necessary to encourage active community participation, since some of the indigenous knowledge practices placed the remaining species of gorilla, chimpanzee and buffalo under intense threat of disappearing.