Information
Recreation
Education
Conservation
Research
Gastronomy
History
Links
Support
Events
Zooshop
Contents
Ghana
The rapid destruction of the West African rain forest has not raised much attention in contrast to other regions. The main reason that animal species are threatened, besides the destruction of their habitats through deforestation, is the uncontrolled hunting for the commercial trade of the meat of wild animals (so-called "bushmeat").
To counteract the threatening of extinction, the West African Primate Conservation Action (WAPCA) came into being with the help of Landau Zoo in 2000. The WAPCA, European zoos, and organizations share an interest in the protection of nature. In cooperation with Ghanaian zoos and local authorities the improvement of the protection of open lands could be realized through financial help from the WAPCA. Furthermore an animal shelter and a conservation breeding center for confiscated monkeys like the White-naped mangabeys (Cercocebus atys lunulatus) and the Diana monkeys (Cercopithecus diana roloway) has been built in Accra. This station serves as an base for public relations and information for the local people.
This projects is further supported by Tiergarten Heidelberg and further European zoos, the Friends of Zoo Landau and the German and French conservation NGOs "Zoological Society for the Conservation of Species and Populations, ZGAP & CEPA". It is recognized as an official project of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, WAZA.
[Back to Conservation]
Hunted monkeys at the market
Keeper with confiscated apes