Building on a successfully completed first Rufford-funded project that established baseline data on Puku diet and cattle competition using DNA metabarcoding, this second phase will take a broader ecological and social approach. It will systematically monitor wild ungulate populations using line transect distance sampling and camera trapping. Additionally, the project will employ satellite imagery and GIS-based modelling to detect and analyse LULCC from 2000 to 2020, linking landscape changes to wildlife distribution and density patterns.

A major innovation of this phase is the integration of community engagement and outreach. By hosting participatory workshops, raising awareness, and involving local stakeholders, the project seeks to align conservation goals with community needs. This collaborative approach will promote sustainable land use practices and foster long-term stewardship.

The project outcomes will include updated population estimates of Puku and other ungulates, predictive habitat maps, quantified land cover change trends, and actionable recommendations for habitat restoration and land use planning. Data will be disseminated through scientific publications, policy briefs, and community events.

This work is critical, as the Puku population in Kilombero has declined by over 90% in two decades, from 50,000 to fewer than 3,000 individuals, mainly due to habitat loss. By identifying drivers of this decline and involving local communities in solutions, the project will contribute directly to the conservation of a globally significant population and serve as a model for integrating ecological research with community-based conservation.