Lake Ossa Wildlife Reserve

Freshwater reserve in the Sanaga-Maritime division (Littoral Region), near Dizangue west of Edea, part of the Douala-Edea landscape. Lake Ossa is Cameroon's largest natural lake complex (~39-45 km2) and a recognised hotspot for the Vulnerable West African manatee, also home to dwarf crocodile and African softshell turtle. A community management plan sets aside 6.5% of the lake as no-take zones to protect fish and manatee sites. Lake/underwater fishing in Cameroon is regulated and, with a self-contained breathing apparatus, requires ministerial authorization (Law 2024/019, Section 88); spearing in the reserve's no-take areas and harming the protected manatee should be treated as prohibited.