TEAM MEMBERS:
Alessandro Albani (Technical Advisor), Lahai Keifala (Superintendent), Solomon M. Tommy (Senior Research Technician) and Mohammed L. Fofana (Research Technicians)
PARTNER(S) & SUPPORTER(S):
Gola Rainforest National Park, Basel Zoo
Progress in 2020
In 2018/2020, a new cohort of volunteers from the Gola FECs was selected and trained by the GRC-LG research technicians, and with their help we have been able to deploy a series of camera traps that take images and video footages along key sites. This new camera trapping activity helped to confirm the presence of pygmy hippos in these areas for the first time, and to inform best practices to mitigate human-hippo conflict. At the same time, a theatre group from Kenema (Eastern Entertainers) was hired to support the implementation of a theatre component during the project and to showcase two theatrical drama shows focused on pygmy hippo conservation. These community theatre groups, together with our active involvement in community school activities and sensitization events, helped to strengthen the link between the communities and the project, which is essential to reduce illegal activities that may be detrimental to wildlife. Through co-financing schemes, we are also in the process of establishing pygmy hippo schools in key sites adjacent to GRNP, and we will tentatively continue the fruitful collaboration with CYCVs to build a next generation of youths with a vested interest in pygmy hippo conservation.
See the new pictures from Camer Traps