West African dwarf crocodile monitoring its nest at night in Chirehin. © Emmanuel Amoah/THRESCOAL.

This project aims to assess and enhance the conservation of the West African dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus afzelii), a recently recognized and highly threatened crocodilian species, within the Chirehin and Paninamisa areas of Ghana’s Bono-East Region. These sites, though traditionally protected due to cultural beliefs, are increasingly threatened by agricultural expansion, habitat degradation, and limited conservation awareness. To address these challenges, the project will conduct dry and wet season field surveys to determine population status, structure, and distribution, while developing species distribution maps and habitat suitability models using GIS and MaxEnt. Social surveys and focus group discussions will be undertaken to gather local ecological knowledge, assess perceived threats, and evaluate conservation needs.

The project will also implement awareness campaigns—reaching at least 3,000 individuals—through community workshops, school programs, radio broadcasts, and educational materials to improve local understanding and support for crocodile conservation. Expected outcomes include improved community attitudes and knowledge, robust scientific data to inform both national policy and the IUCN Red List assessment, and stronger local engagement in long-term conservation efforts. These results will be shared with national institutions, local communities, and international conservation bodies, and published in scientific outlets.

The project’s long-term impact will be supported through collaborative planning with stakeholders and the development of site-specific conservation action plans to ensure continued protection of the species and its habitat.