Large and Small Mammal Conservation

Elephant Conservation

Elephants Loxodonta africana were once found throughout West Africa, from the coast north to Sahel and from Senegal east to Nigeria but rampant, unchecked hunting and loss of habitat due to the pressure on land for agriculture has had a severe toll on their wild populations. Today, the plight of Elephants in West Africa is far more severe than that in Eastern, Southern, or Central Africa. Not only are these unique creatures of the Earth in danger however, but because Elephants also serve as important ecological agents of seed dispersal, the endurance of general biodiversity in Ghana is tied closely to the health and survival of the largest mammal.

Responding to this threat of extinction, A Rocha Ghana has led the way in contributing to the nation’s strategy for the conservation of Elephants since 2002. First (as the Eden Conservation Society) we initiated a training programme to begin building a workforce for undertaking various Elephant biology and management activities. Twelve students from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi were selected to participate in a month long experience of theoretical training and fieldwork in the Ankasa and Dadieso conservation areas. Emphasis was placed on increased understanding of the behaviour and population dynamics among Elephants— from learning census taking techniques, to exploring the relationship between Elephant density and neighbouring human activity as well as conceiving strategies for mitigating crop conflicts between people and Elephants. In light of that initial experiment, A Rocha Ghana has been focusing most of its Elephant conservation work on species numbers and distribution research, information essential to effective management of wild Elephant populations.

Working in partnership with the Wildlife Division of Ghana, MIKE (Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants), CITES (Convention on International Endangered Species), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the University of the Azores Biology Department, several important surveys were completed in the Kakum Conservation Area between 2003-2004 and 2007-2008. Because the closed tree canopy of the equatorial forest precludes traditional aerial observation and dense undergrowth renders even direct ground count difficult, we have relied predominately on a new, indirect sampling method, utilizing the retrospective analysis of dung decay!

Results indicate that a population of fewer than 200 Elephants exists today in the Kakum area. Such a disturbingly low number has compelled A Rocha Ghana to more recently begin work on a project determining potential Elephant corridors in Western Ghana, between our own protected parks and those in neighboring Cote D’Ivoire. The aim is that by facilitating the creation and protection of such safe passageways, Elephants will begin to re-establish healthy migratory and breeding patterns. The majority of traditional corridors are currently threatened by heavy human presence.

Carnivore Conservation

Using camera traps, night-time spotlights, call-in surveys, scat collection, and habitat assessment, A Rocha Ghana has been conducting the Monitoring Matters Carnivore Conservation Project (MOMA) since February 2007. Cooperating with the University of California, Berkley, the aim of this work is to collect accurate field survey data on the large and small carnivore mammals living within Mole National Park. Understanding the populations, behaviours, and habitats of the wild animals within this protected area is vital to effective park management and successful wildlife conservation.