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The Gambia
The smiling cost of Africa
We have lived in the gambia for years now, the gambia is our home base and we have absolutly fallen in love with the gambian bush lands and her wildlife!
Gambia has a fantastic range of wildlife, which is incredible to see just a 5 hour flight from the UK and Europe! However if we do not act quickly to protect it, many of the already threatened and endangered species will be lost forever.
Although the patas will be our main focus, we will strive for the conservation of all.
Wildlife
The Gambia is home to stunning biodiversity, including unique species like the swift and intelligent patas monkey, the critically endangered temminck's red colobus monkey, hyena (which are now mostly captive), the tourists’ favourite bush babies, plus a river which acts as an essential breeding ground for both hippos and the critically endangered west african manatees.
Yet these animals face severe challenges. Threats including habitat loss, poaching, the illegal wildlife trade and environmental degradation continue to endanger all of these species.
Without action, many are at risk of disappearing forever.
And many more...
The Banjul Declaration
A deep rooted message for the whole country!
Almost 50 years ago, the former president expressed the desire to protect the disappearing flora and fauna.
Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara could see then the destructive patterns across his country, and how protecting the parks and wildlife would benefit his people.
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Deforestation
Deforestation in Gambia is a serious issue. Between 1998 and 2009 there was a loss of over 100,000 hectares of forested areas. Despite a lack of data since, it is likely to be a drastically higher figure in 2024. Over 40% of the country's land area needs restoration.
The main threats are habitat loss to mining, logging, agricultural and cattle farming, as well as hunting and bush fires, most commonly, the destruction of trees for firewood and roofing materials.
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Reduces the naturally available food sources for wildlife, pushing them further towards farmland and villages in search of food
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Destruction of crops by wildlife fuels community/wildlife conflict
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Cutting the trees without replanting – no sustainability for the future
The only way to counteract this is with properly protected areas and active reforestation; involving the communities so they see how they will directly benefit from active conservation areas
Illegal hunting
and trade
Daynano, our rehabilitated and released young Patas, investigating a shotgun pellet discarded by illegal hunters on one of his bush walks pre release.
A powerful image in to the potential fate of Gambias primates without a dedicated team to protect them.
Patas monkeys are most at risk, due to the amount of time they spend on the ground and a high demand for both the illegal pet trade and bush meat.
There is a lack of data to accurately know their status, but they are estimated to be near endangered.
Wildlife as pets
Keeping wildlife as pets remains a persistent issue in The Gambia, despite being illegal. The Gambian Department of Parks and Wildlife Management (DPWM) is committed to regulating and enforcing these laws but faces significant challenges due to limited funding, inadequate facilities, and insufficient support.
Our goal is to address these challenges by establishing a dedicated rehabilitation center and enhancing government facilities at Abuko. By working together, we aim to significantly reduce the illegal pet trade and provide better care for rescued wildlife.
Additionally, we have reviewed the IUCN status of threatened species, but much of the data has not been updated since 2016–2020. A key priority for us is partnering with DPWM to gather more accurate, up-to-date information, as many species are believed to be Endangered or Critically Endangered. This data is crucial for guiding conservation efforts and protecting The Gambia’s wildlife.
Bush fires
Bushfires: A Threat to Wildlife and Habitats in The Gambia
In January 2024, we witnessed a growth in devastating bushfires in the CRR region. These fires, often sparked by illegal woodcutting, charcoal production, and hunting activities, caused significant damage to bushland and wildlife habitats.
Such fires could be mitigated through early detection and intervention by rangers, responsible community efforts, and the establishment of firebreaks. However, without these measures, bushfires continue to pose a serious threat to biodiversity, leading to habitat destruction and endangering the wildlife that depends on these areas for survival.
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