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Wild Chimpanzee Foundation
Enhanced conservation of the leopard (Panthera pardus) populations of the Bafing River watershed, Republic of Guinea
Snapshot Solution
Leopard in the SOS-IUCN project in Guinea
Wild Chimpanzee Foundation
The Leopard population in the Moyen Bafing River watershed has gone from being an iconic animal to an enemy animal of humans. Population migrations have increased poaching and habitat destruction. The project identified the lack of knowledge about the species, the loss of its habitat as major problems. Added to this are poor agricultural practices. A biomonitoring program was set up with the participation of community ecoguards, which resulted in knowledge of the spatial distribution of the Leopard in the area. A dialogue framework has been set up to facilitate exchanges between the communities. A forest habitats regeneration program has been set up with the involvement of the communities. An awareness-raising program through theater campaigns and environmental education has been set up. About 600 ha of forest under restoration, more than 900 students and parents have learned good practices respectful of the environment. Poaching rates have decreased. This project is part of the IUCN Save Our Species African Wildlife initiative, which is co-funded by the European Union.
Last update: 11 Dec 2024
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Impacts
The project contributed to the creation of the Moyen Bafing National Park(6767 Km2), which improves the conservation status of leopards in this region. Local communities have changed their perception of carnivores and other wildlife living in the area. Several conflicts were avoided and others resolved through prevention tools. Poaching rates have been significantly reduced through community patrols and law enforcement. Although the forest restoration process is lengthy, there has been a regeneration of degraded forests over an area of 569.48 ha of critical habitat for the African leopard are benefiting from forest regenration efforts using the natural ecological regeneration approach.
Binta SOW's the community ecoguard from the project says that, this project has helped reduce conflicts between herders and the Park in her village. She has observed an increase in her community’s sensitivity to environmental issues. She would like to see it continue.
Morever, between 65%-68% and 74%-81% of gallery and open forests were protected from wildfire causing damage during the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 fire season and with the participation of 8.750 and 11.821 local community members respectively. Since 2018 a total of 89 complaints have been received, from which 35 were received during the present project. Every year, the number of complaints and griefs decreases from 46 in 2020, to 15 in 2021, and to 9 so far in 2022.
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 5 – Gender equality
SDG 13 – Climate action
SDG 15 – Life on land
SDG 16 – Peace, justice and strong institutions
SDG 17 – Partnerships for the goals
Story
In total, 20,613 people benefited from the present project through the implementation of the community ecoguard program (42 people recruited with the support of the project) and the forest regeneration and wildfire management program (20,571 people received a financial compensation for their efforts), with direct effects on poverty reduction and livelihood improvements. Moreover, 20,790 community members participated in various outreach programs such as theatre tours (12,595 people reached), cercles d’écoute (6,399 people reached), and wildlife nature club (Club PAN, 1,796 children) to learn more about wildlife and nature conservation and protected area management.
