Hunting in Littoral, Cameroon: Navigate Mangroves, Coastal Forests, and Vanishing Traditions Amidst Urban Growth and Ecological Change
Coastal diversity, lowland forests, and shrinking wild zones The Littoral Region, anchored by the port city of Douala, is Cameroon’s economic epicenter — but beyond its industrial pulse lies a world of dense coastal forests, mangroves, and freshwater swamps. This narrow stretch of territory, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and dissected by the Wouri River, once teemed with wildlife and sustained generations of forest-edge hunters. Littoral’s terrain features swampy lowlands, thick tropical vegetation, and estuarine ecosystems that provide crucial habitat for amphibians, birds, and smaller forest game. However, rapid urban expansion, logging, and pollution have dramatically reduced natural hunting areas, making surviving pockets even more culturally and ecologically significant. Urban proximity, rural persistence, and fading forest knowledge Though Littoral is heavily urbanized, rural communities — especially in areas like Nkam, Moungo, and Sanaga-Maritime — continue to practice traditional hunting, often in tandem with fishing and small-scale farming. Elders recall a time when game such as bushbuck, porcupines, and duikers were plentiful in village forests. Hunting was typically conducted with traps made of rattan, wire snares, or old muskets handed down through families. Today, much of this forest knowledge is at risk of disappearing, as younger generations migrate to cities and as access to wild spaces becomes restricted due to land conversion and environmental degradation. What distinguishes Littoral’s hunting landscape Littoral’s unique blend of coastal and lowland ecosystems makes it unlike any other hunting zone in Cameroon. While not a destination for big game or safari tourism, the region offers an intricate web of hunting grounds nestled within mangroves, riparian forests, and community reserves. The presence of urban pressure alongside traditional villages creates a dynamic where modernity and tradition constantly clash. In some cases, new conservation models are being tested — integrating hunting traditions with ecotourism or regulated community forestry. Common species and coastal hunting strategies The most commonly hunted species in Littoral include red duikers, bush pigs, brush-tailed porcupines, cane rats (grasscutters), and monitor lizards. Birds such as doves, hornbills, and guinea fowl are also sought after. The coastal wetlands occasionally host migratory waterbirds, which are hunted near rice fields and riverbanks. Hunting methods here are often still-hunting through dense foliage, nighttime trapping, or ambush near known feeding routes. In mangrove regions, canoe-based hunting is practiced during low tide, especially for reptiles and aquatic birds. Hunting seasons and environmental constraints Littoral follows Cameroon’s standard hunting calendar, with most legal hunting occurring from December to June — the region’s relatively drier season. However, in practice, hunting tends to be year-round due to low enforcement and high bushmeat demand. Law No. 94/01 governs wildlife and forestry use, and Littoral officially falls under Zone III, where community and subsistence hunting are permitted under certain conditions. Species such as manatees, chimpanzees, and sea turtles are strictly protected, though their habitats are increasingly vulnerable due to pollution and overfishing. Pressures from urbanization and shrinking wildlife corridors Douala’s constant expansion has pushed wildlife into ever-smaller pockets of forest. Bushmeat remains a staple in local markets, but its sources are increasingly distant, sometimes imported illegally from other regions. The establishment of protected areas, such as the Douala-Edéa Wildlife Reserve, has provided some relief, but enforcement is inconsistent and often contested by local communities who claim ancestral rights. Roads, industry, and agriculture further fragment habitat, cutting off traditional animal migration paths. Legal measures, weak enforcement, and community action Despite being legally protected under the same national framework as other regions, Littoral faces unique enforcement difficulties due to its dense population and rapid development. Permits for hunting are rarely issued here, and most activity goes unregistered. However, some local NGOs and community associations have begun to engage youth in conservation work, bushmeat monitoring, and reforestation projects aimed at restoring degraded zones. Pilot programs are testing the integration of local hunters into forest surveillance networks, offering new opportunities for cooperation. Culture, symbolism, and changing traditions Among coastal Bantu groups such as the Duala and Bakoko, hunting was historically linked to masculinity, skill, and communion with the land. Some communities still mark certain rites of passage with hunting feats or share specific game meat at traditional festivals. The mangrove crocodile, once a feared and revered creature, appears in oral legends as a guardian of sacred waters. Today, such narratives are fading as urban lifestyles eclipse forest-based identities, yet pockets of resistance remain — often in storytelling, ceremonies, or quiet acts of defiance against overregulation. Unexpected stories and hidden knowledge from Littoral In certain riverine villages along the Dibamba River, hunters still use fish oil to mask their scent before entering the forest. Some claim that hornbills can foretell changes in weather — a cue used when planning multi-day hunts. Along the Atlantic coast, there are still rumors of sea turtles being hunted not for meat, but for spiritual insight, an ancient practice now outlawed and nearly lost to memory.
