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The animals at the LWC provide an excellent opportunity to increase awareness of Cameroon's unique wildlife first-hand. Most visitors to the LWC are unlikely to have seen many of the animals before, both primates and reptiles. Among the 17 species of animals at the centre are 13 primate species native to Cameroon, including all of those diurnal primates found on nearby Mount Cameroon. Many of these animals are threatened or endangered species including:
 Drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus)
Listed as the highest conservation priority of African primates by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Drills are only found within a 40,000 sq. km. region encompassing parts of Cameroon, Nigeria, and the island of Bioko, Equatorial Guinea. With the third largest captive population of drills in the world, the LWC is planning a captive breeding programme with a long-term goal of release into a protected area in the wild.
 Preuss' monkey (Cercopithecus preussi)
An endangered species with a limited distribution. Mount Cameroon is home to one of Cameroon's most important populations of Preuss' monkey.
- Red-eared guenon (Cercopuhecus erythrotis)
Also known as the russet-eared guenon, this endangered species shares the same range as the drill and the Preuss' monkey.
 Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)
A prime target for bush meat hunters, gorillas are native to Cameroon's southern provinces, with a small, distinct population in the northwest. All of the gorillas at the LWC came as orphaned infants requiring considerable attention to stabilise their condition.
- Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)
Also a prime target for bush meat hunters, young chimps are frequently sold as pets or kept in restaurants or hotels for 'entertainment'.
 Viewing the animals is a critical part of the education process. Increasing knowledge of the animals promotes sensitivity to the conservation issues required to ensure their ultimate survival in the wild. The fact that nearly all of the primates are orphans (victims of habitat destruction, the bush meat industry or pet trade) underscores the impact these issues have on the continuing viability of Cameroon's wildlife. Whilst the primate bush meat and pet trades are both illegal, they remain an ongoing problem.
Most of the primates that arrive have either been donated by their previous owners, or confiscated by wildlife officials. Animals are never purchased, since to do so would only encourage further hunting. Indeed, the LWC aims at persuading animal donors to give some financial contribution towards the upkeep of the donated animals.
 Also in this sub-section [Limbe Wildlife Centre] »
History of the LWC · Education at the LWC · Animal Husbandry · Achievements and Objectives · Contribute to the LWC · Our supporters
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