Transboundary Surveys

Since 1996 WCS has focused on biodiversity reasearch throughout south east Nigeria and south west Cameroon. With support from the John T. and Catherine D. MacArthur Foundation, we have completed a series of much needed inventories of animal and plant populations in poorly known areas of this region that are home to rare and endemic species. By identifying patterns of biodiversity we are able to compare these trends to existing and proposed protected area boundaries in order to develop effective management policies and longterm strategies.

Throughout these surveys, we worked closely with government, academic, and conservation institutions in both Cameroon and Nigeria in order to build local capacity in terms of research and management. In Nigeria, we collaborated with the University of Calabar to establish a Wildlife Resource Center, creating new academic facilities as well as a field based training program. In Cameroon, we worked with the Limbe Botanic Gardens and continue to support training at the Banyang Mbo research station originally established by WCS. This strong history of close collaboration on either side of the border has also developed into a series of transboundary workshops in order to ensure cooperative management plans as well as standardized training in wildlife monitoring techniques for government and park officials.