Bridging continents for conservation: China and Cameroon unite for forests and parrots
In a significant step toward safeguarding Central Africa’s biodiversity, a recent high-level roundtable convened by TRAFFIC brought together Chinese and Cameroonian stakeholders to align on a shared vision to integrate sustainable forestry with the urgent protection of the endangered African Grey Parrot (AGP) - a species renowned for its intelligence but pushed to the brink by habitat loss and the illegal pet trade.
Traditional leaders from communities surrounding Lobéké National Park, representatives from Chinese forestry companies, and officials from the Cameroonian Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF) discussed findings from a recent project survey that provided evidence and tools to sustainably manage and use community forests.
By identifying six specific communities around Lobéké as trafficking hotspots and drawing links with forestry industries, the roundtable marked a turning point in how the industry and local communities interact.
Chinese timber companies expressed a firm intention to promote reforestation and combat illegal logging. Crucially, the China Timber & Wood Products Distribution Association (CTWPDA) explicitly affirmed its member companies' commitment to a strict Code of Conduct and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) guidelines.
This roundtable is not just an opportunity to share knowledge; it is a vital step in establishing a collaborative framework between timber companies and local communities."
Denis Mahonghol, Director of the TRAFFIC Programme Office for Central Africa. "Together, we can create sustainable practices that protect our biodiversity while supporting the livelihoods of local communities".
Community leaders echoed this need for partnership, advocating for local wood processing to create jobs, education and monitoring tools to empower residents, and benefit-sharing from forest management to incentivise long-term conservation and protect community rights.
The illegal trade in parrots is a transnational challenge that requires a coordinated solution. While Cameroonian authorities work on the ground, China is implementing a robust regulatory framework to disrupt illegal chains. "This includes strict CITES permit controls and nationwide enforcement operations like 'Qingfeng Action,' which target illegal wildlife hunting, trading, and transport, and maintain ecological security.
Ben Aminou, Regional Delegate of the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF), emphasised the long-term impact of this partnership: "By sharing knowledge and best practices, we are not only promoting sustainability in the forestry sector but also ensuring that our natural resources are preserved for future generations".
Moving forward, the project will launch a targeted awareness campaign specifically designed for the communities identified around Lobéké National Park. This intervention will build directly on the consensus reached during the workshop, ensuring that conservation efforts are both culturally relevant and practically effective.
By fostering these transcontinental partnerships, TRAFFIC and its partners are building a future where the "sound of the forest", the iconic call of the African Grey Parrot, will continue to be heard for generations to come.
Notes:
This roundtable and project work were funded by the UK Government through the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund through the project IWT108 Demand Reduction and Behaviour Change along China’s Parrot Supply Chains.
About The Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund
Funded by the UK Government through Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund.
The Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund is a UK government grants scheme that provides support to projects around the world that are tackling the illegal wildlife trade. IWT Challenge Fund
