Socioeconomic determinants of Cameroons Mefou Wildlife Sanctuary visitors willingness to pay for seeing animals in the wild

Abstract

Protected areas (PAs) in Cameroon witness chronic underfunding, with most operating with only around 10% of the necessary funds. This study aimed to explore socioeconomic factors affecting Mefou Wildlife Sanctuary (MWS) visitors' willingness to pay (WTP) for wildlife species observation in their natural habitat. The study was based on semi-structured questionnaires conducted with 637 respondents and the contingent valuation method was used to estimate visitors' WTP. The findings reveal an average WTP of $US 170 for foreign visitors and $US 81 for national visitors to see animals in the wild. Income level and education significantly influenced WTP, with higher-income individuals and those with higher education demonstrating a greater willingness to pay.