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Photo: Khalil Baalbaki, Prague Zoo
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The New Wandering Bus has started to fulfil its mission

As I write the official first ride of the new Wandering Bus is taking place in Cameroon. This will lead to nature conservation for the next generation of children in the surroundings of the Dja Biosphere Reserve in the east of the country. Not only will it give them the opportunity to watch the gorillas at the Méfou Rescue Station, but also to take part in a training programme or get to know the tropical rainforest. The project, running since 2013, is branded by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) and organized by Prague Zoo. It is financed under Prague City Hall’s Three Crowns from Entry project and funds from Prague Zoo’s collection account entitled We Help Them to Survive. The Czech Embassy in Abuja has long supported the project and it is campaigning for it at the Cameroonian authorities.

“Some years ago, we were very surprised to find out that children living on the edge of the rainforest in Cameroon are only aware of gorillas as meat on a plate, not as fascinating living creatures,” says Miroslav Bobek, the director of Prague Zoo, who initiated the Wandering Bus project. “This first led us to distribute educational materials among them, and then we started to run the Wandering Bus. Its goal is to contribute to a reduction in poaching in the Dja Biosphere Reserve, and at the same time build awareness of nature conservation among the children, their parents and teachers.”

The wandering Bus in Messamena before officially starting its first journey. Not only is it decorated with pictures of gorillas, but also, for instance, bongos.

The wandering Bus in Messamena before officially starting its first journey. Not only is it decorated with pictures of gorillas, but also, for instance, bongos.

The original Wandering Bus’s first journey was launched at the beginning of 2013 by footballer Karel Poborský. This was to make it easier for the project to gain the trust of the local population. The new Wandering Bus, which is now officially on its first journey, does not need such a patron. Both the children and their parents have shown an extraordinary interest in it, and it also has the support of most local authorities. Moreover, as Mvilongo Abena Désiré, the Sub-prefect of Messamena, mentioned in the opening ceremony on Wednesday, after completing this programme the children encourage their parents not to eat poached animal meat.

Olvie Missoula and Davilla Ntsemenke in Kabilon in a nursery with coconut seedlings.

Olvie Missoula and Davilla Ntsemenke in Kabilon in a nursery with coconut seedlings.

“The new Wandering Bus is different from the previous one not only because, besides pictures of gorillas, it is decorated with other animal species protected by law, but above all because of the route it takes,” explains Jocelyn Ewane Aubey, the local project manager. “During the first journey in the new Wandering Bus, the children visited Kabilon, where they went on a nature trail through the rainforest and learned about common or important tree species and their significance. Then we presented them with a demonstration project for growing cocoa and other crops in a nature friendly way and gave them advice and inspiration to try and plant something similar at home.”

The Wandering Bus participants were given the opportunity to get to know forest tree species. It is one of the African paradoxes that although the children live on the very edge of a tropical rainforest, they know almost nothing about it.

The Wandering Bus participants were given the opportunity to get to know forest tree species. It is one of the African paradoxes that although the children live on the very edge of a tropical rainforest, they know almost nothing about it.

On the next stage of the journey with the Wandering Bus the children will set off to see the gorillas at the Mefou Rescue Station, located near the capital Yaoundé. They have been prepared for this meeting thanks to lessons from their teachers and Jocelyn Ewane as well as by reading Gorilla Fairy Tales a book from Prague Zoo. The next edition, funded by Movement on Own Feet - Centipede, will serve both Wandering Bus participants and many other Cameroonian children.