African elephant (Loxodonta africana) in Dzanga-Sangha Reserve, CAR Photograph by WWF   Africa: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon, and Republic of the Congo Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests   167,600 square miles (434,100 square kilometers) -- about the size of Arizona and Wisconsin combined Vulnerable

· Going Ape
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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Going Ape

As part of the Congo Basin rain forest, the Northwestern Congolian Lowland Forests ecoregion is one of the richest areas in the world for primates, harboring possibly more gorillas and more chimpanzees than any other area. Not only is this ecoregion teeming with an abundance of mammals, from forest elephants to African buffalo, but it is also one of the richest regions in Africa for plants, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. There are more than 6,000 vascular plants in Gabon alone. With large blocks of lowland forest still intact, this ecoregion represents one of the world’s last great remaining wildernesses.

Special Features

The Northwestern Congolian Lowland Forests ecoregion is globally outstanding because it contains large, intact blocks of lowland forest with complete assemblages of large mammals. These lowland forests occur from roughly 1,000 to 2,000 feet (300 to 600 m) above sea level. They support a high level of animal diversity, but the populations of animals are seldom high. This area is also noted for a high number of endemic plants. Other outstanding features include over 400 species of birds and over 100 mammals. In fact, this is one of the areas in the world that is richest in primate diversity.

The giant pangolin is one of the most unusual species in the forest. This powerful scaly anteater scurries around the forest floor looking for termites and ants, leaving footprints that resemble those of a small elephant. When frightened, it curls into a ball, making it difficult for a predator to bite through its tough scales. Unfortunately, giant pangolins have become vulnerable due to hunting for their meat and the use of their scales as love charms.

Wild Side

The Northwestern Congolian Lowland Forests are a haven for western lowland gorillas. These gentle apes are smaller than either mountain or eastern lowland species. Gorillas are primarily vegetarian, and large quantities of food are needed to sustain their massive size. The forests are filled with African buffalo, forest antelopes, forest elephants, and giant pangolins. Forest elephants feed on grasses that grow in clearings and nibble on the leaves of young trees. This ecoregion is also very rich in butterflies. Reptiles include the Congo dwarf crocodile, and amphibians include the golden-bellied rocket frog, Christy’s treefrog, and two-lined leaf-gluing frog.

Cause for Concern

Right now, areas that are strictly protected from logging are small and insufficient. And in areas that have been logged, forest regeneration will not take place if too many people move in and convert that land to agriculture. What’s more, poaching is decimating some animal populations, including elephants.

For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report.