| By Oluchi Agodi
What’s the biggest challenge facing wildlife conservation in West Africa? It’s not just habitat loss or climate crisis —it’s a shortage of local conservation expertise!
Despite the region’s incredible biodiversity, there just aren’t enough in-country experts to lead the charge in protecting it. But that’s where the West African Mammal Fellowship (WAMF) steps in as a game-changer.
From March 9th to 23rd, 2024, nine postgraduate students from seven West African countries gathered in Cross River State, Nigeria, to embark on a two-week bilingual (French-English) field course designed to build the next generation of conservation leaders. With a hands-on mix of fieldwork, classroom learning, fund-raising training and mentorship, WAMF, now in its third cohort, is equipping these rising stars with the skills they need to tackle conservation challenges right in their own backyards.
This year’s fellows, selected from across West Africa, arrived with one goal in mind: to develop the expertise needed to make a lasting impact on small mammal conservation in their home countries. With mentors and facilitators from Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Italy, Nigeria, South Africa, UK, and USA, the program gave students access to some of the top minds in the field, all while working in the heart of Nigeria's biodiverse forests.
After an opening dinner at the SMACON House, attended by Cross River National Park representatives, to celebrate the start of this incredible journey, the fellows traveled to Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary (AMWS), where the adventure truly began. Imagine camping in the lush rainforest, learning how to capture bats using mist nets, or setting traps to study small mammals like rodents and bats. The students spent four days immersed in the wild, mastering techniques for species identification, data collection, and even using an array of bat detectors to record bats. This wasn't just textbook learning; it was about getting hands on scientific research experience and gaining relevant skills that will be critical for successful conservation projects. To learn first hand from conservation projects in the area, students also visited SMACON's Early-warning Fire Prediction and Prevention Project, and Drill Ranch - a drill monkey captive breeding project by our long-term partner, Pandrillus.
2024 WAMF participants at Afi Mountain wildlife sanctuary, learning field techniques under the guidance of experienced mentors.
The journey continued at the Obudu Mountain Resort, where the fellows shifted gears to focus on the academic side of conservation. Classroom sessions ranged from grant writing to research design and data management; skills essential for turning passion into action. Each fellow had the opportunity to design their own research project as part of their MSc and PhD research, with guidance from experienced mentors, and present their ideas for feedback and development. These projects address both basic and applied questions - they will be the foundation for real conservation and public health action across the region.
Throughout the two weeks, the energy and enthusiasm among the students were palpable. From working together on group assignments to bouncing ideas off one another, the camaraderie formed during this fellowship will extend far beyond the program itself. These fellows are now part of a growing network of small mammal researchers in West Africa—each one committed to protecting the biodiversity that makes this region so special.
What makes this fellowship even more exciting is the support structure built around it. Through the West African Mammal Fellowship, fellows have access to mentorship, equipment loans, mini-grants and funding opportunities to support their research. Several fellows from this year's cohort have already applied for and received grants to support their research, and SMACON is committed to helping them succeed every step of the way. In addition, the students have joined an international network of conservationists through the fellowship, increasing their visibility and chances for further funding, for example, the Conservation Connect West Africa Mammal Circle.
The goal of this fellowship is clear: to train in-country experts who can lead conservation efforts long after the program ends. Conservation in West Africa faces complex challenges, but these fellows are now equipped with the tools, knowledge, and networks to take on those challenges head-on. By investing in local talent, the West African Mammal Fellowship is ensuring that the future of conservation in this region is in capable hands.
We’re incredibly proud of what this year’s cohort have achieved. To follow their progress, watch this space for updates.
Want to make a difference?
SMACON is 100% donor supported. We're grateful to Otterfonds, Conservation Connect, Harrison Institute, Cross River State Forestry Commission and the Obudu Conservation Center for supporting this program. You can help fund the field-based research projects led by these talented fellows. Your donation can directly support mini-grants to fund fellow's field research, data collection, and conservation initiatives that will safeguard West Africa’s wildlife for generations to come.
Ready to support the future of conservation in West Africa?
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