An iconic, ancient volcano shrouded in rainforest within the Cameroon highlands contains a relic population of amphibians and reptiles found nowhere else in the world. This extinct volcano called Mount Manengouba harbors an incredible 100 species of amphibians and provides habitat for more than half of the most threatened frogs and toads in Cameroon. Seven chameleon species – the highest number on mainland Africa – inhabit this mountain.

Despite being a global priority, this volcano is unprotected and at grave risk from deforestation that is encroaching from all sides. Increasing pressures for livestock pasture, timber and agricultural land on the fertile soils of Mount Manengouba are seriously threatening all biological resources of the mountain, and wildlife habitats are quickly disappearing.

Rainforest Trust is working with Cameroon Wildlife Conservation Society (CWCS) in a joint partnership to designate 5,542 acres of Mount Manengouba as an Ecological Reserve to prevent further habitat degradation and protect the mountain’s highly threatened species.

The Cameroon highlands are among Africa’s most diverse regions and are characterized by high levels of endemism, especially among amphibians. Three Critically Endangered frogs – the Manengouba Long-fingered Frog, Nsoung Long-fingered Frog and Redbelly Egg Frog – are known from only a few sites on Mount Manengouba, and sixteen other amphibian species found there are Endangered. The highest number of chameleon species on mainland Africa is found on this mountain, and five of the seven species are endemic to the region.

Mount Manengouba also hosts 270 species of birds, including the Endangered White-throated Mountain Babbler and Vulnerable Green-breasted Bush Shrike. Two notable small mammals – the Endangered Hartwig’s Soft-furred Mouse and Vulnerable Manengouba Shrew – will also be protected in the new reserve. The combination of species richness, high proportion of endemic wildlife and significant number of threatened species has led the conservation community to rate this mountain as one of the highest priorities for conservation in Africa.

The most significant threats to the area are the conversion of Mount Manengouba’s lush rainforest on fertile volcanic soils into agricultural land. This activity is devastating for the sensitive amphibian and reptile communities and adversely affects the understory microhabitats around streams and springs. Water runoff polluted by pesticide toxins from agricultural land has contributed to a decline in water quality, while the burning of grassland to renew pasture for cattle is a rising problem. Endangered Goliath Frogs and endemic chameleons are also at high-risk of collection for the international pet trade. It is crucial that we protect them and other threatened amphibians and reptiles as soon as possible.

Rainforest Trust is collaborating with Cameroon Wildlife Conservation Society (CWCS) to designate 5,542 acres of Mount Manengouba as an Integral Ecological Reserve.

As part of this process, we will build local capacity of surrounding communities to support the protected area and will increase the number of forestry and wildlife rangers. Four new ranger stations will serve as bases for monitoring and protecting the reserve, and the rangers will be trained and equipped to carry out their duties. The Government of Cameroon through the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife is highly supportive of this initiative.