Conservation Blog

The day starts quickly as we rush about readying ourselves for one of the most important events of this expedition! It is only a 10 minute walk to the Wildlife Centre, but we need a truck for all our equipment and art materials. When we arrive, there is already a small group of our workshop artists there. They are excited about their day in the spotlight, and passionate about saving the Cross River Gorillas and their habitat.

All the artists are gathered to the front of a gateway which looks into a primate’s compound. This is a firsthand opportunity to see the primates who have just been released into their grounds. For many of the artists, this is their first time ever to see a gorilla or chimpanzee!

Everyone has been forewarned that the primates may come charging toward the fence and to please stay a reasonable distance from this electrically charged fence.  And, if anyone so much as has a cold or transmittable sickness, not go near the animals as they are very susceptible to human illnesses.

The mediums used by some artists consisted of white glue mixed with basic colours, and strings, dirt, sand, sticks, ripped up cardboard, or any natural resource to create an individual, special piece of workmanship. It was very interesting to see these gorgeous displays of work.  Everyone stuck to the theme in creating pictures of the “Cross River Gorilla".  This was truly giving a boost to an incredible cause of the preservation of a fast diminishing species.

Suddenly, a deafening thunderstorm stuck with all its fury, ushering in high winds and rain. Some provincial and divisional delegates of the Ministry Of Environment And Protection Of Nature and Planning, Programming and Regional Development arrive. As if opening up to a new beginning, the News Media arrives just as the storm subsides.
The camera lights are a welcome display, as are the cameras gently poking over the artists’ shoulders.  The artists are happy knowing that their work is presented to a large audience. This is a chance to raise awareness of the need to preserve the gorillas and their habitat, as well as unique opportunity to display their beautifully composed pieces to the viewers throughout Cameroon.

It was time now for the personal interview. We explained to the press and rolling movie cameras our reasons for the Art workshop. Ginette and I are ushered over to a table where, with lights and cameras about us, we are asked a multitude of questions.  When asked:"Can’t we simply put all the remaining gorillas in a fenced in area, populate them, and then release them?", we answered "What if we would do the same with the people in this room, and then destroy their houses. Where would you go afterwards?”.

It is not only the Cross River Gorilla that we need to protect. It is also its habitat. Because where would we release the gorillas when their habitat is gone?

At the end of the day the artists packed up all their belongings. But they left their art at the Centre for the exhibition, so that other other park patrons can enjoy their artwork. It was a long day of excitement, and after taking pictures with everyone, we shake hands and part our ways. We all have a sense of great accomplishment!

 

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The AFC Flag Expeditions Program is a unique program established and operated by the Artists For Conservation Foundation™ (AFC), making possible the artistic field study and rendering of species or habitats deserving of greater public attention. There is a strong emphasis on the study of unique, threatened habitats, and rare or endangered species in remote parts of the world."

We are up by 7:00am, packing to leave for Limbe. Unfortunately, one of the team members is sick. There is no medical help for her here in this remote forest, so she has to be transferred out for medical attention.
 
Limbe is by the sea and in a beautiful area. The place where we are staying is in the Limbe Botanical Gardens and within walking distance to both the town and the Limbe Wildlife Center. This center is a primate rescue centre that is taking care for gorillas, chimpanzees, mandrills, drills, baboons and smaller monkeys such as guenons and mangabeys. What a wonderful environment to be in. While here, we are to observe and sketch the only captive Cross River Gorilla in the world, which is at the Limbe Wildlife Center.

 
It is very hot and humid, so the best time to explore is in the morning or late afternoon. Unfortunately, our time is limited and so we are off to visit the Wildlife Center at noon. Thankfully it begins to rain, cooling us on our walk to the Center.
 
We spend the day studying, taking notes, sketching and photographing the gorillas, in particular Nyango, the female Cross River gorilla. We very much enjoyed watching their social behavior, their feeding behavior and amazing climbing skills. Later back to our place at the ocean, we chat with Arend and Louis about past and future efforts in saving this highly endangered species. It sends shivers down my spine to even think that they may soon become extinct!
 
After dinner, as we make our way to our room we feel the evening, ocean air fresh against our warm faces. The view is breathtaking! In our little hut, the cool breeze gently blows through the window. As we listen to the distant roll of the waves, the sound lulls us into a fast sleep. Tomorrow will be another amazing day, while we conduct our long awaited "Art Workshop” and give media interviews.

 

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The AFC Flag Expeditions Program is a unique program established and operated by the Artists For Conservation Foundation™ (AFC), making possible the artistic field study and rendering of species or habitats deserving of greater public attention. There is a strong emphasis on the study of unique, threatened habitats, and rare or endangered species in remote parts of the world."

It’s THE long awaited morning......We make Expedition! Our gear has long been in preparation and our inclination to go is high.
As artist of this first expedition, my highly anticipated wait is now over. My dreams of descending deep into the Lebialem Highlands seeking the “Cross River Gorilla” are now being realized.

We will have to make a steep 5km descent down slippery pathways consisting of boulders and rock like trail formations. The path was rarely level and rarely would we rest until we reached our first base camp.

 

It was hot and humid even though the mountain air is considered quite cool compared to the valleys below. Our back packs, each weighing about 60 - 70lbs, are loaded with food goods, camping materials, water, cameras and so forth. I am also carrying other essential items such as art supplies and my journal. Thankfully, porters are provided to carry our other equipment and materials for this two day trip.

Down, down we descend watching the vegetation quickly change before our eyes. We realize we are now entering the habitat of the gorillas and chimps. This is an area never visited by tourists.

Our guide is a man we call “Play-Boy” due to the fact that the compound we are staying in consists of his many wives and children. When asked how many children he has he replies, ”I'm not sure 20, 30 children… lots". At one time he was a farmer and had to kill the gorillas that would raid his fields. In protection of his plantations and for the “bush meat”  his large family required, he recalls, "I was forced to shoot these amazing animals as well as the chimps but, now no longer as all the gorillas and chimps are forced away to distant areas". These are the very same distant locations we will try to penetrate in hope of finding the ever elusive Cross River Gorillas.

 

 

Along the trail we realize that there is a lack of forest sounds. There are no noises made by monkeys and other mammals and most birds.........They are all gone! They have been killed or frightened away. This reminds us that these forests in Cameroon are known as truly "Silent Forests”. A name we wished never existed.

Only a third of the way into our trip I was struck with a high fever that we would soon discover was dysentery. We believe I may have gotten it from a local meal that I had eaten just a couple of days prior. My legs were feeling weak and at times I shook uncontrollably.  I quickly became dehydrated and often had to run into the forest to take care of other symptoms. Needless to say I fell behind the team but urged them to continue on. Ginette and Arend seem to have understood this and had the team wait periodically so that I could catch up and not lose my way in this dense jungle. I feel quite proud of Ginette as she continues on her way. She does not complain, even with such a difficult task of carrying her amazingly heavy back pack. She is strong in every way!

As the predicted heavy forest rains begin to fall upon the canopy above we start to get wet. As for me, this rain is a blessing as it keeps me cool from my ever present fever.

At long last we make it to camp. It’s a small plot of earth consisting of a hut that “Play-Boy'’ had once used as a station home.  It overlooks the forest valleys far below. What an amazing view! This, we are told, is the second level area in which to survey and search for the gorillas. Now, there is a much steeper descent that we must travel down immediately if we want to reach the valley before the quickly approaching night. Ginette and I consider this but, then request to stop and we sleep over night here.

As a cool thick mist settles in, we commence setting up a cold-camp in our wet clothes. Luckily, we find some damp clothing at the bottom of one of our cases and quickly change. We then make a dinner by applying water to one of our dehydrated food packs and eating some packaged salmon. It all tastes wonderful on our empty stomachs.

As I recount this day, I note that we saw some gorilla nest sites. Gorillas make a nest every evening. Our other team members also found several trails and feedings signs but in a different section.

 

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”The AFC Flag Expeditions Program is a unique program established and operated by the Artists For Conservation Foundation™ (AFC), making possible the artistic field study and rendering of species or habitats deserving of greater public attention. There is a strong emphasis on the study of unique, threatened habitats, and rare or endangered species in remote parts of the world."

 

Hello. My name is Daniel Taylor. I am a professional high realist wildlife artist.

 

 

Along with my lovely wife Ginette and through the generous support of the Artists For Conservation Foundation, Planet Organic, Mr. Arend de Haas of the African Conservation Foundation consisting of professional field workers, biologists and conservationists, we will be undertaking an unprecedented flag expedition deep into the remote highland rainforests of south west Cameroon to participate in field surveys and visit primate sanctuaries for a first time ever detailed field study, sketching and photographing of the most endangered primate, the Cross River Gorilla which is in dramatic high risk of becoming extinct within our very near future - with only 250-300 alive in the wild!

Please follow along with us on an exciting documented adventure as we conduct educational workshops creating mural paintings together with school children in three local villages helping to improve environmental awareness and attitudes of local communities toward these amazing great apes.

On the Artists For Conservation website you will be able to closely follow the expedition on what would hope to be daily video, photos and journal reports. You will also be able to follow the adventure closely using the schedule and maps supplied.

We know you will enjoy this adventure, so please.....we welcome you all along :>)

 

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”The AFC Flag Expeditions Program is a unique program established and operated by the Artists For Conservation Foundation™ (AFC), making possible the artistic field study and rendering of species or habitats deserving of greater public attention. There is a strong emphasis on the study of unique, threatened habitats, and rare or endangered species in remote parts of the world."