The River Gambia National Park is made up of five islands in the Central River Division, about 300 km upstream, to the southwest of Kuntaur and downstream of Janjangbureh, Georgetown. The island are collectively known as Baboon Islands, which cover an area of approximately 1,445 acres. Their ecological systems range from lush jungle rainforest to reeds, savannah and mangrove swamps. The national park was established in 1978 and ismade up of a complex of 5 islands that lie on the river in the Central River Division (Region) about 300 kilometres upstream to the south west of Kuntaur (see map) and downstream of Janjangbureh, Georgetown. The 5 island are collectively known as Baboon Islands which cover an area of approximately 1,445 acres (585 ha.) and are relatively flat. It forms one of the last refuges for the very threatened hippopotamus within The Gambia. Their ecological systems range from lush jungle rainforest, reeds, savannah and mangrove swamps. An interesting place to visit is the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Camp (CRC) which lies on the banks of the river and was established in 1969 to rescue orphaned chimps. There are currently about fifty Chimpanzees living on 3 of the larger islands. The population is steadily increasing through births. In addition to reintroducing an indigenous species to the country, the existence of the park's project on Baboon Islands has assisted in protecting the forest and its resources from over exploitation. The DPWM and the CRP work hand in and for the protection of the area and its environs. Though it is not possible to land on the islands as it is a conservation project, under the Department of Parks, it possible to see the creatures while on a boat cruise passing by or alternatively you could stay at the projects accommodation camp located on the river bank and see them up close. The animal life on this section of theRiver Gambia National Park includes hippopotamus, Nile crocodiles and monkeys such as the Green Vervet Colobus, Egrets, Ibis, Herons Guinea Baboons Aardvark, Bushbuck, many reptile species and sometimes even porpoises.
Since 1979, River Gambia National Park is site of a chimpanzee-reintroduction project, conducted by the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project (CRP) under the direction of Stella Marsden (daughter of Eddie Brewer). Chimpanzees confiscated from the illegal animal trade are reintroduced into the wild in the park. Marsden was awarded the Order of the British Empire for her work.[1] Prior to 1979, the primates were raised in Abuko Nature Reserve. Today, several chimpanzee groups live unmolested by humans on the three largest river islands (435 ha, 77 ha und 53 ha).[2] As of July 2006, there are 77 specimens. In the wild, chimpanzees became extinct in The Gambia in the early 20th century.For the protection of the animals and visitors, entry onto the islands is not permitted, as chimpanzees can be highly aggressive towards humans. Exceptions are possible only with governmental approval. Even travel by boat around the islands was drastically reduced in 1998. In the past, some attempted to steal chimpanzees from the park. Apart from the Common Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus), River Gambia National Park is also home to the Guinea Baboon (Papio papio), Green Monkey (Chlorocebus sabaeus), Western Red Colobus (Piliocolobus badius), andmarmosets (Callithrix). Other mammals include the prolific warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) and some hippopotamuses (Hippopotamus amphibius), which have become rare in The Gambia. In addition, the park is home to the aardvark (Orycteropus afer senegalensis), Honey Badger (Mellivora capensis), Serval (Leptailurus serval brachyura), Haussa Genet (Genetta thierryi), African Clawless Otter (Aonyx capensis), and West African Manatee (Trichechus senegalensis). Of the antelopes, there is the Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus), Maxwell's Duiker (Cephalophus maxwellii), and Common Duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia). Reptiles are likewise plentiful, and include the Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus), snakes, and lizards. The bird life is equally species-rich. Since 1979, River Gambia National Park is site of a chimpanzee-reintroduction project, conducted by the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project (CRP) under the direction of Stella Marsden (daughter of Eddie Brewer). Chimpanzees confiscated from the illegal animal trade are reintroduced into the wild in the park. Marsden was awarded the Order of the British Empire for her work.[1] Prior to 1979, the primates were raised in Abuko Nature Reserve. Today, several chimpanzee groups live unmolested by humans on the three largest river islands (435 ha, 77 ha und 53 ha).[2] As of July 2006, there are 77 specimens. In the wild, chimpanzees became extinct in The Gambia in the early 20th century. For the protection of the animals and visitors, entry onto the islands is not permitted, as chimpanzees can be highly aggressive towards humans. Exceptions are possible only with governmental approval. Even travel by boat around the islands was drastically reduced in 1998. In the past, some attempted to steal chimpanzees from the park. Apart from the Common Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus), River Gambia National Park is also home to the Guinea Baboon (Papio papio), Green Monkey (Chlorocebus sabaeus), Western Red Colobus (Piliocolobus badius), andmarmosets (Callithrix). Other mammals include the prolific warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) and some hippopotamuses (Hippopotamus amphibius), which have become rare in The Gambia. In addition, the park is home to the aardvark (Orycteropus afer senegalensis), Honey Badger (Mellivora capensis), Serval (Leptailurus serval brachyura), Haussa Genet (Genetta thierryi), African Clawless Otter (Aonyx capensis), and West African Manatee (Trichechus senegalensis). Of the antelopes, there is the Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus), Maxwell's Duiker (Cephalophus maxwellii), and Common Duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia). Reptiles are likewise plentiful, and include the Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus), snakes, and lizards. The bird life is equally species-rich.Established in 1978, River Gambia National Park is located in Niamina East district of Central River Division. It lies on the left bank of the Gambia River. The park includes the 585 ha (1,450 acres) Baboon Islands archipelago, which consists of one large and four small islands. The national park is not open to the public. River Gambia National Park is adjacent to Nyassang Forest Park. On some maps, the two parks are represented together as one area.
The Gambia's concern for the environment and in particular conservation dated back to the 1977 Banjul Declaration, a special statement setting out the country's commitment to conservation. It reflected on the disappearing of wildlife spieces as well as the conservation of the remaining fauna and flora from further destruction In April 1994, indigenous Gambian youths concerned with the preservation of the country's flora and fauna also formed West African Bird Study Association (WABSA). This site is intended to provide the reader with an overview of the six parks and reserves in the country as well as giving information on habitat types, fauna and avi-fauna found in The Gambia and also a brief information on WABSA. The increasing human population, coupled with agricultural production practices which do not take into account conservation, have led to the loss of a large proportion of The Gambia’s forest cover together with many of our wildlife species. For this reason, the government has taken initiatives over the years to designate certain areas with protected status. To date, protected areas comprise more than 3% of the total area of The Gambia. The latest wildlife policy aims at increasing this to 5% with a proportional regional distribution. The parks and reserves of The Gambia have been specially chosen for the endangered nature of the habitat type and/or species found within them. The intention is to provide a safe haven for flora and fauna to flourish without undue interference from man. A limited range of resource utilisation by local communities is permitted provided this is compatible with the aims and objectives of the protected areas concerned. The Gambia has very strict laws regarding the sale of animals and their by-products. Despite this law a clandestine trade in animal products does exist. However wildlife officers make periodic unannounced raids on tourist facilities and local markets in an effort to curb this practice. Visitors to The Gambia should bear in mind the stringency of the laws regarding animal products. To avoid any misunderstandings it is best to simply now purchase animal products. If you are offered goods for sale which you feel may be in contravention of the law, please report the matter either directly to the Department of Parks & Wildlife Management or to the nearest police station.
