Lionel Ebong Esong
Other projects
16 Aug 2023
Supporting Biomonitoring and Anthropogenic Threat Suppression for Long-Term Protection of Pangolins in the Deng-Deng National Park
The Guinean Forest Biodiversity Hotspot (GFBH) is a critical forest habitat covering 11 countries in West and Central Africa including Nigeria, Guinea, Cameroon, and Ghana. The GFBH is threatened by hunting and deforestation from agricultural expansion and logging. It hosts 416 mammal species with 60 endemic and 65 globally threatened, making it a critical biodiversity hotspot. Among these are three species of pangolins: Endangered giant and white-bellied pangolins, and the Vulnerable black-bellied pangolin. In addition to the general threats to the GFBH, pangolins are also threatened by significant exploitation for meat and medicinal products locally and globally; Their ecology remains understudied; in particular, it remains unclear how environmental and anthropogenic variables shape habitat distribution of each pangolin species, and how climate change will affect each of these distributions into the future. Despite these known threats, limited literature and research on pangolins leads dearth of quantitative information needed to direct sound conservation actions.
Pangolin conservation has recently received more attention but is still hampered by the scarcity of ecological knowledge essential for guiding sound conservation actions. Knowledge gaps include but are not limited to suitable areas for reintroducing rescued individuals, population hotspots (especially where more than one species may be co-distributed), and sensitivity to climate change. This information is critical to determining where and how to best implement the proposed conservation actions outlined in the regional action plan.
We will contribute to the burgeoning implementation of the regional action plan addressing critical knowledge gaps within the GFBH. Specifically, our project seeks to achieve the following specific objectives within a 12-months’ time frame.
Considering the scientific sensitivity of the project’s end goals, my experience and novel skills obtained from the THRESCOAL Mentorship program have prepared me adequately to implement this project with consideration of CITES priorities for pangolin conservation.