Ten Years of Commitment, a Seventh Mission in Cameroon
Zoo de Granby Continues Its Conservation Work in Central Africa
From November 6 to 23, two biologists from Zoo de Granby, Mélissa Loiseau, Conservation Project Officer, and Louis Lazure, Scientific Coordinator, traveled to Cameroon for the Zoo’s seventh official mission in the country… and to celebrate 10 years of conservation action in Central Africa!
A decade of sustained efforts that has enabled nearly $425,000 to be invested in research infrastructure, anti-poaching initiatives, human–wildlife coexistence projects, community support, and ecological monitoring of emblematic species.
Two Biologists, Two Focus Areas, One Shared Goal: Protecting Wildlife in Cameroon
For this mission, it was Mélissa’s second stay in the country; Louis, meanwhile, set foot on Cameroonian soil for the very first time. Their work was divided into two main components:
- Along the Atlantic coast, supporting research on sea turtle nesting;
- In the vast forests of Campo Ma’an National Park, monitoring conservation projects focused on forest elephants, western lowland gorillas, mandrills, and many other species sharing this remarkable landscape.
First Days: Tropical Heat, Grilled Fish, and an Elusive Internet Connection
After a hectic arrival in Yaoundé (where getting online is a challenge) the team headed south. A long journey to Kribi ended with a comforting meal of grilled fish, shrimp, plantains, and cassava by the sea: just what they needed before diving into fieldwork!
By the next morning, the mission split. In the small coastal village of Ebodje, Mélissa joined Cameron, a master’s student from Concordia University, at the very start of his research project on sea turtles.
In Campo, Louis began a series of meetings with local partners and revisited Zoo-funded facilities: the research center and the wildlife health laboratory. Working conditions can be harsh, but the collaboration is strong.
On the Beach of Ebodje: Tracking the Giants of the Ocean
In Ebodje, nesting season had already begun, and it promised to be an active one! Mélissa and Cameron conducted their first night patrols with teams from Tube Awu, a community organization that protects nests on part of the brand-new Manyange na Elombo–Campo Marine National Park.
Their goals: follow turtle tracks, identify nests, collect data, and when needed, relocate eggs to a secure hatchery to protect them from waves, predators… and poachers.
An incredible stroke of luck on the very first patrol: after 7 km of nighttime walking along a tide-battered beach, the team encountered an olive ridley sea turtle in the middle of laying her eggs! A rare, almost intimate moment that gives true meaning to field conservation work.
The next day, conditions shifted dramatically: torrential rain and powerful waves halted progress. The team waited three hours on the beach, hoping to cross a river swollen by the rising tide. No success: they had to turn back, soaked… but still enthusiastic!
In the Heart of the Forest: Between Elephants, Gorillas… and Bees
Meanwhile, Louis was exploring the Campo Ma’an region. He met with local partners and witnessed firsthand the tangible impact of years of work. A highlight for him: visiting a farmer who had received beehives supplied by the Zoo. These hives serve a dual purpose: keeping forest elephants away from crops and providing the village with a sustainable source of honey and income. The results? Elephants now avoid the farm, the farmer has diversified his crops, and he sells his honey locally. He has even become a project leader in the region.
On the Trail of the World’s Largest Primate
Louis also had the privilege of visiting the area where a group of western lowland gorillas is being habituated through daily monitoring by a team of trackers. The long-term goal: develop ethical, tightly regulated tourism that generates revenue for park conservation.
Did he see the gorillas? Not this time! But he did observe fresh signs… and more importantly, he smelled their presence (an odor the Africa sector technicians at the Zoo would recognize instantly!). To make up for the missed encounter, he visited a colony of bats roosting in an abandoned building before heading back to Ebodje to rejoin Mélissa and Cameron.
A Demanding Mission… but an Essential One
Between difficult roads, unpredictable tides, humid heat, and the usual surprises of fieldwork in Africa, this mission was full of action. But it also confirmed, once again, the importance of being present on the ground, listening to local partners, adapting interventions, and building projects that truly make a difference.
Ten years after beginning its work in Central Africa, Zoo de Granby proudly continues its mission: protecting Cameroon’s exceptional biodiversity while supporting the communities who live alongside it. And this seventh mission is yet another step toward a future where humans and wildlife can coexist more harmoniously.
