Korup

Korup National Park, commonly referred to as Korup, is a protected area located in the Southwest Region of Cameroon, near the town of Mundemba. Established in the 1980s, it is one of the country’s oldest protected rainforest reserves and is managed as part of Cameroon’s national parks system.

Geography and habitats

The park covers roughly 1,260 square kilometers of lowland tropical rainforest and adjacent swamp forests, with riverine and wetland habitats that support a mosaic of ecosystems. The landscape includes dense forest canopies, swamps, and riparian zones that contribute to its high biological diversity. The climate is humid and tropical, with substantial annual rainfall contributing to year-round biological activity.

Biodiversity

Korup National Park is renowned for its rich biodiversity. It hosts a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, including a notable diversity of primates such as several monkey species and chimpanzees. The area is also important for avian species, endemics, and many invertebrates, making it a significant site for biodiversity research within the region.

Conservation and management

As a protected area, Korup is managed by Cameroon’s Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife in coordination with national park authorities and local communities. Conservation challenges include habitat loss at the park’s edges, poaching, and pressures from nearby land use. Ongoing research, monitoring, and community-based conservation programs aim to safeguard the park’s ecosystems and promote sustainable tourism and ecotourism opportunities.

Significance

Korup is valued for its exceptional rainforest biodiversity, its contribution to scientific understanding of Central African tropical ecosystems, and its role in regional conservation efforts. It remains a focal point for studies on tropical forest dynamics, species coexistence, and forest conservation in Cameroon.