Elephants and at least six other mammal species have been caught on camera within the[b] Omo-Shasha-Oluwa forest complex in south-western Nigeria.[/b]

We are very grateful to EXP Marketing Nigeria Ltd. who donated the four ‘Bushnell trophy cams’ that have enabled us to finally gather photographic evidence on the existence of these wonderful but highly elusive forest creatures.

The photographs were taken by digital cameras that are triggered by the heat and movement of an animal walking past them, such as the very large male (left). These cameras are even able to record animals at night using an infra-red flash that animals can’t see. For example, a young bull elephant was photographed feeding at 1.38 in the morning beside a stream (see photo below). Other animals to be photographed include a red river hog (or bush pig), a troop of red capped mangabey monkeys, a palm civet, several duikers, a squirrel, rat, a pair of reflective eyes belonging to a mysterious medium sized cat-like animal and a small predator dragging prey across the forest floor.

These images, taken over the course of just one month, demonstrate the rich wildlife found within the estimated 1,200 km2 of natural forests remaining within the OSO. However, as pictures of several people illegally entering the area show, much work still needs to be done to protect these animals from being wiped out by forest clearance and poaching.