Exploring Gashaka-Gumti: Nigeria’s Most Biodiverse National Park

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Most people do not realise that Nigeria is home to one of West Africa’s largest and most important national parks. Gashaka-Gumti National Park spans over 6,400 square kilometres across Taraba and Adamawa. It features dense rainforests, sprawling savannas, and even the country’s tallest mountain.

The park is also Nigeria’s most biodiverse, but its richness is under threat from illegal activities, climate pressures, and weak enforcement.

This article explores why Gashaka-Gumti matters, the challenges it faces, and the ongoing efforts to protect its unique biodiversity.

What Makes Gashaka-Gumti Biodiversity Stand Out?

Gashaka-Gumti hosts a remarkable variety of habitats, which is why its biodiversity is unmatched in Nigeria.

The park shelters endangered species, including chimpanzees, forest elephants, and rare antelopes. Its grassy lowlands allow large mammals to roam freely, while the montane zones support species that exist nowhere else in the country.

The vegetation changes as you move through the park: shorter trees, moss-covered rocks, and vast grasslands at higher elevations. This variety strengthens Nigeria’s ecosystems and provides vital ecological services.

Gashaka-Gumti’s value comes not just from its wildlife, but from the way all the ecosystems interact.

Threats to Gashaka-Gumti Biodiversity in 2025

Gashaka-Gumti biodiversity isn’t just rich; it’s vulnerable. The park holds everything from montane forests to lowland savannas, but these landscapes are under growing pressure.  And in a place this ecologically important, even small changes can trigger bigger losses across Nigeria’s ecosystems.

Let’s look at some of the threats facing the Gashaka-Gumti biodiversity: 

1. Illegal Logging of Rosewood and Other Timber Species

Since 2014, rosewood extraction has surged. Illegal loggers have even attacked rangers, leading to fatalities. This deforestation threatens local ecosystems and the survival of endangered species.

2. Farming, Livestock Grazing, and Fire in Buffer Communities

Villages around the park often clear fields or graze cattle in sensitive areas. Fire for pasture management sometimes spreads into protected zones, damaging forest regeneration and contributing to habitat loss in Nigeria.

3. Illegal Mining and Artisanal Excavation

Illegal mining and soil excavation disturb habitats, pollute water, and open access roads that encourage further encroachment. Wetlands and streams are particularly vulnerable.

4. Weakened Enforcement and Security Gaps

Limited funding, insufficient staff, and poor equipment make monitoring difficult. This allows illegal grazing, poaching, and logging to continue largely unchecked.

5. Increased Insecurity from Armed Groups and Herding Migrations

Destabilising movements from the Sahel have brought armed herders into the park. Conflicts with these groups endanger both park staff and wildlife, stressing conservation efforts.

Who Is Protecting Gashaka-Gumti Biodiversity?

Several groups work tirelessly to safeguard the park:

• Nigeria National Park Service (NNPS): Rangers monitor illegal activity, wildlife populations, and human-wildlife conflict.

• Gashaka Biodiversity Project: Research-led initiative tracking species like the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee and rare birds.

• Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS): Supports patrols, eco-guard training, and policy advocacy.

• Local Communities and Eco-Guards: Villagers guide eco-tourists, report threats, and participate in patrols.

• Academic Institutions and Field Researchers: Studies on plants, animals, and climate impacts guide conservation strategies.

Why Gashaka-Gumti Biodiversity Matters for Nigeria’s Future

Protecting this park goes beyond preserving wildlife. Its forests regulate climate, maintain clean water, and support farming. Rivers and vegetation reduce floods and droughts, contributing to climate resilience.

Gashaka-Gumti represents one of the few remaining examples of how nature can thrive alongside human communities. Preserving it is critical for Nigeria’s ecosystems and future generations.

 

Explore Nigeria’s Rich Biodiversity:

• Endangered Species of Nigeria 2025: Can We Save Them?
• Nigerian Sacred Forest Conservation: Efforts & Threats (2025 Guide)
• Bush to Boutique: How Traditional Knowledge Shapes Brands

Conclusion: Protecting Gashaka-Gumti Biodiversity

Gashaka-Gumti is one of Nigeria’s last truly wild places. Its forests, grasslands, rivers, and mountains support species found nowhere else.

Protecting its biodiversity safeguards ecosystems, helps communities thrive, and ensures that future generations experience Nigeria’s natural heritage.

Conservation here is about more than saving animals; it is about maintaining ecological balance, combating climate change, and preserving the nation’s environmental legacy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gashaka-Gumti Biodiversity

1. What Is The History Of Gashaka-Gumti National Park?
Gashaka and Gumti were originally separate game reserves. They merged in 1991 to form Nigeria’s largest national park, which has since become a biodiversity hotspot.

2. Which National Park Has The Most Biodiversity?
Gashaka-Gumti National Park has the highest number of recorded plant and animal species in Nigeria, including endangered chimpanzees and rare birds.

3. What Is The Most Biodiverse Ecological Zone In Nigeria?
Southeastern rainforests have the highest species diversity. Gashaka-Gumti is unique because it spans rainforest, montane forest, and savanna zones.

4. What Animals Are In The Gashaka-Gumti National Park?
The park hosts chimpanzees, African buffalo, pangolins, red river hogs, African golden cats, and over 500 bird species, along with other rare wildlife.