Contribution to large carnivores conservation in West Africa

In West and Central Africa large carnivores are in low density compared to other parts of Africa and are mostly confined to protected areas. In spite of this situation, they're still threatened. Human populations are illegally exploiting protected areas and large carnivores enter surrounding villages and predate domestic livestock. The problem of human-carnivore conflicts has been neglected for years but studies are now starting. These studies can contribute to a better knowledge of species to further better conservation management of their populations. A study on leopards in South Africa, lead by Dr Luke Hunter from Wildlife Conservation Society, aims to study the status, demography and ecology of the leopard population in northern Kwa Zulu Natal, to investigate the genetic characteristics of the populations and establish a management plan for leopards taking into account the regulated utilisation by landowners. The present project aims to participate in the South African project in order to acquire knowledge that may be replicated (after adaptation) in Benin. Specific objectives are: to improve knowledge and learn new techniques of carnivore research (telemetry, camera trapping, GPS collaring/tracking, genetic studies), improve knowledge in carnivore –human conflictmanagement to learn how local people can be involved in the conservation of large carnivores. to gather preliminary data on human-carnivore conflicts. to write a research proposal and develop a conservationproject on large carnivores in two protected areas in Benin.

This project aims to conduct research on the conservation of Protected Areas' carnivores and to formulate a project proposal for the management and protection of these mammals in Benin and West-Africa as a whole. The Phinda Game Reserve ( in Natal, South Africa) was visited. This visit helped build the NGOs capacity to study carnivores with different techniques including telemetry, camera trapping, GPS and collaring/tracking. In addition, the capacity of CERGET to manage carnivore-human conflicts increased. The got a better insight in how population in the vicinity of the parks are associated with conservation of large carnivores especially Leopards in the southern part of Africa The most prominent carnivores involved in these conflicts are lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetah and wild dogs. Finally, a proposal for the protection of large carnivores in the two Protected Reserves of Benin has been prepared and funds are been sought for its implementation.