Bayang Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary, BMWS has empowered youths of Tangang Village and neighboring chiefdoms, Nguti Sub Division, Kupe Muanenguba Division, South West, on the conservation of pangolins.
This was in commemoration of World Pangolin Day 2025 organized by the Sanctuary in Tangang village, March 27, 2025 under the theme, “Youth Legacy for Pangolin Conservation.”
Speaking at the ceremony, the Conservator of the Sanctuary, Yves Nathan Mekombom called on the population to support conservation efforts of the park service.
He said their focus is on youths because, this year’s theme highlights the importance of engaging and empowering young people in pangolin conservation efforts.
Mekombom warned against hunting in the park. He said the protection of pangolins is of great importance because, it is one of the flagship species for which the Sanctuary was created.
According him, Bayang Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary was also created to protect species like the giant pangolin, which are becoming increasingly difficult to see.
The Conservator promised more livelihood projects and better options for those who collaborate with the park service.
He reminded the people that youths from BMWS are currently undergoing vocational training in Buea after surrendering their hunting guns. He said the park service will make sure it keeps to its responsibilities entailed in the recently signed Cluster Conservation and Development Agreement (CCDA).
Also, the Community Development Officer of BMWS, Esoh Vitalis Akime urged the population to continuously drop their guns and shun hunting as their livelihood.
He said the Sanctuary is aware of their survival situation reason why they have increasingly supported them with alternative livelihoods like the donation of potable water to cluster villages, provided over 20 vocational training scholarships to students from cluster villages at OIC Buea, the National Forestry School, Mbalmayo, the University of Buea, amongst others.
In his words of appreciation Chief Ehoun William Tangang village thanked the Sanctuary for choosing his village for the celebration of the 2025 World Pangolin Day.
He said from continuous sensitization, they have adequate knowledge on the conservation and preservation of pangolins for posterity.
The Chief added that continuous education on young people is important so that they grow in knowledge and sort for other means to raise their families.
Also, Chief Ashutarh Thomas of Etabah village and President of Lower Mbo Chiefs Conference, said with knowledge from the sanctuary that pangolins put to birth only once yearly, and their species almost in extinction, they are ready to collaborate for pangolin conservations.
He lauded the youths of the ten chiefdoms of Lower Mbo for coming out massively to participate in the 2025 World Pangolin Day.
According to Chief Ashutarh, the increase in the prices of cocoa from FCFA 600 to FCFA 4000 per kilogram has made more youths to abandon their hunting guns and focus on their cocoa farms.
He said as they celebrate, they will continue to educate the youths on the importance of pangolins.
The ceremony was spiced with traditional dancing and heavy feasting.
It should be noted that Bayang Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area under the Programme for the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources, South West Region, PSMNR-SW in the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife.
By Olive Ejang
