The
Mbo and
Banyangi people live in and around the Banyang-Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary. The maintain the right to use the forest and its natural resources, although they must not compromise the conservation goals of the protected area. They hunt for bushmeat, which they sell fresh or smoked, and which is a good deal cheaper than other forms of protein. Despite the uniqueness of this area, and the fact that all animals are "protected" by law in the park, the sanctuary has been little developed and both conservation and protection efforts have largely failed. In fact, the Banyang-Mbo sanctuary suffers from well organized commercial poaching, where professional hunters come into the area, kill animals and transport the meat to large cities to be sold. This illegal hunting combined with habitat degradation is a major problem in the Banyang-Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary. The conservation efforts have failed in the past due to a lack of funding, enforcement of regulations, staffing, interest, long-term commitment etc. However, recently the sanctuary has been highlighted as one of the most important areas for chimpanzee conservation in the area, which could imply that further development of the conservation effort is approaching. However, in the meantime, it is important for the local communities to respect the regulations of the sanctuary in order to preserve it. Without local effort, this sanctuary is sure to become so degraded that it will no longer require protection and will no longer be listed as a protected area.
Gallery File:A pathway in the Mbayang Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary.jpg|Narrow pathway in the wildlife sanctuary File:A river in the Mbayang Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary.jpg|View of a river in the wildlife sanctuary File:A steep footpath in the Mbayang Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary.jpg|A steep footpath in the wildlife sanctuary File:Source of drinking water for ESSIMEN village in the Mbayang Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary.jpg|Drinking water point in the wildlife sanctuary File:A driking water point flowing in the Mbayang Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary.jpg|A man at a drinking water site in the wildlife sanctuary File:Wide view of the Mbayang Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary from Lebe village.jpg|Extended view of the wildlife sanctuary from Lebe Village File:People and nature arround Bayang Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary.jpg|People at the core of the Sanctuary File:A Camping house in Kamelumpe village arround the Mbayang Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary.jpg|Camping House at the Sanctuary ==References==