France Anougue
PhD. Student
Contact Information
Department of Biology
Concordia University (Loyola Campus)
7141 Sherbrooke St. W. H4B 1R6
Montreal, QC, Canada
Office: SP 434
Lab: SP434
(514) 848-2424 (ext. 4021)
Education
2022 – Present: PhD in Ecology at Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
2017-2018: MSc in Natural Resources Management, University of Dschang, Cameroon
2011-2013: Engineer in Environmental Sciences, University of Maroua, Cameroon
2007-2010: BSc in Geography, University of Dschang, Cameroon
My Project
Habituation and ecological monitoring of western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla): for conservation and ecotourism in the Campo-Ma’an National Park, southern Cameroon
Background
Western lowland gorillas’ species as many other large and medium mammals are influenced by human activities such as poaching for bushmeat and the fragmentation of its habitat through deforestation (Ministry of forestry and wildlife, 2014). However, the prospect of a series of large development projects (notably a hydropower dam, a deep sea harbor port, railroad linking the harbor to an iron mine concession, the palm oil company; CAMVERT) taking place around the Campo-Ma’an national park, put the park as well as its rich wildlife at risk (MINFOF, 2014). The threats on large primates especially Western Lowland Gorilla is very critical with the fragmentations of habitats. Although the level of poaching is not yet alarming on the Dipikar Island, it is feared that, the situation might worsen thereby compromising the ongoing gorilla habituation programme. Particularly, the sustainable management of the Western lowland Gorillas especially the habituated group, is concerning because of the limited data and funding available.
Field Work
This research will be conducted in the southern part of the Campo-Ma’an National Park, more precisely at the Dipikar Island. This park is located in the South Region of Cameroon between 2°10’N, 9°50’E and 2°25’N, 10°48’E. Although an estimated number of gorillas inhabiting the Campo-Ma’an National Park (CMNP) is available, their behavior and genetic relatedness is unknown.
Objectives
The aim is to contribute to the sustainable management of the habituated gorilla group by determining the relationship existing between them and their habitat with to the aim to improve the conservation strategy for this species, particularly in CMNP.
Specifically, the study will:
- Assess the genetic relatedness between the Habituated and non-habituated gorilla group in the Isolated Island in the CMNP
- Assess the behavioral response of western lowland gorilla to human presence in the Campo-Ma’an National Park, Cameroon from 2015-2022
- Evaluate the influence of fruit availability on activity budget of the habituated western lowland gorilla group in the CMNP;
- Assess the potential for ecotourism as well as stakeholders’ perception on the impact of future ecotourism on the conservation of habituated gorillas in CMNP
Publications
- Anougue*, , R.B. Weladji, S. Masi (2022).Habituation and ecology of western lowland gorillas for conservation and ecotourism in the Campo Ma’an National Park, Southern Cameroon. Société Québécoise d’Étude Biologique du Comportement. 4-6 November, 2022, Gatineau, Québec, Canada, p. 32 (Oral Presentation)
Media
1- Cameroon woman works to save gorillas
– http://www.voanews.com/a/cameroon-wsofxqreoman-works-to-save-gorillas/3276440.html
– https://www.follownews.com/cameroon-woman-works-to-save-gorillas-12spi
2- The spy who loves gorilla
3- Nursing mum missing gorillas
– http://www.wwf-congobasin.org/news/?uNewsID=313691
4- Cameroon protecting nature in the shadows of COVID-19
https://africa.panda.org/food_footer/?uNewsID=32782