Home / Environment / Monkey's near-extinction reversed by community conservation
Monkey's near-extinction reversed by community conservation
12 Aug
Summary
- Community conservation saved Niger Delta red colobus from extinction.
- Local involvement revitalized marine life and restored habitats.
- Project supports livelihoods of nearly 14,000 people.
In Nigeria's Niger Delta, a community-led conservation initiative has achieved a significant victory in saving the Niger Delta red colobus monkey from near extinction. Discovered in 1993, the species faced a drastic population decline due to hunting and habitat destruction from logging and oil extraction.
Conservationist Rachel Ikemeh launched the South-West/Niger Delta Forest Project (SWNDFP), engaging local communities to protect the primates. This effort established a 2,500-acre conservation area around Apoi Creek Forest, with locals policing and safeguarding the environment.
As of 2026, the project has grown to protect over 20,000 acres of forest and at least 16 threatened species. It also led to Nigeria's first locally managed marine area in Foropa Middleton Kingdom, addressing marine pollution and degradation from oil spills and mining.
This community-driven approach has not only revitalized ecosystems but also supported the livelihoods of approximately 14,000 people, demonstrating the power of local stewardship in environmental restoration and species preservation.
