Granby Zoo Completes a 7th Scientific Mission in…

Granby Zoo Completes a 7th Scientific Mission in Cameroon and Strengthens Its Efforts to Protect Iconic Wildlife Species

Press release

Granby, December 8, 2025

From November 6 to 23, two biologists from the Granby Zoo, Louis Lazure, Scientific Coordinator, and Mélissa Loiseau, Conservation Project Manager, carried out an intensive scientific mission in Central Africa. This seventh assignment in Cameroon builds on the institution’s long-term efforts to support biodiversity conservation in Campo Ma’an National Park and the Manyange na Elombo–Campo Marine National Park, in partnership with local organizations including the Foundation for Environment and Development in Cameroon (FEDEC), Tube Awu, and Concordia University.

Monitoring Conservation Initiatives in Campo Ma’an National Park

Biologist Louis Lazure settled in the village of Campo, bordering Campo Ma’an National Park, a region known for hosting forest elephants, western lowland gorillas, and mandrills. His main objective was to assess the effectiveness and sustainability of conservation initiatives supported by Granby Zoo over the past several years, including a wildlife health laboratory and research center funded by the Zoo, a community beekeeping program (aimed at reducing human–wildlife conflict while providing sustainable income), and local anti-poaching efforts.

One of the most striking findings came from a visit to a long-standing beekeeper involved in the project. The nearly 60 hives provided by the Zoo are successfully keeping elephants away from crops while producing honey sold locally. The farmer, now recognized as a community leader, clearly demonstrates the success of this sustainable coexistence model introduced in the region.

Lazure also visited the gorilla habituation camp, where he met with trackers responsible for the daily monitoring of a gorilla group. Their discussions deepened understanding of habituation challenges: a key step toward future, ethical ecotourism capable of generating economic benefits for conservation.

Monitoring Sea Turtle Nesting in the New Marine Park

Several dozen kilometers south, Mélissa Loiseau accompanied Cameron, a Concordia University master’s student, in the coastal village of Ebodjé, where the community organization Tube Awu has long protected sea turtle nesting sites. This mission marked the beginning of the fieldwork component of the student’s research project, which seeks to evaluate how incubation temperature influences hatching success, a crucial factor in the context of climate change.

During nightly patrols, the team helped identify nests of olive ridley and leatherback turtles, two species listed as vulnerable, and assisted with relocating eggs to hatcheries: protected areas that reduce risks from poaching, predation, and erosion. They also supported Tube Awu’s educational programming at the local school, teaching youth about the ecological value of turtles and the distinction between wildlife and animals under human care in zoological settings.

These efforts reflect the Zoo’s commitment to strengthening local capacity: an essential component of its applied conservation model.

A Mission Marked by Collaboration and Concrete Outcomes

Beyond scientific support, the mission strengthened connections among local stakeholders, patrol teams, national park staff, teachers, and nearby communities. Planning meetings, field follow-ups, and technical exchanges will directly contribute to improved adaptive management of both forest habitats and nesting beaches.

Over 10 Years of Concrete Action in Cameroon

Since 2015, Granby Zoo has been engaged in a long-term conservation program in Cameroon, developed in partnership with organizations such as FEDEC, WWF, African Wildlife Preservation (AWF), Ape Action Africa, and Concordia University in Quebec. The project is supported financially by the Granby Zoo Mission Faune Foundation and dedicated donors including iA Financial Group, Catherine Collins and Pierre Forest, as well as the Benoit Family Foundation.

Since the initiative began, nearly $425,000 has been invested in research infrastructure, human–wildlife coexistence projects, anti-poaching efforts, ecological monitoring, and the training and capacity-building of local actors. The program pursues a clear objective: to support the sustainable conservation of some of Central Africa’s richest ecosystems while improving the well-being of the communities who depend on them.

About Zoo de Granby and Mission Faune

In addition to being a major attraction in Quebec, the Granby Zoo is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to Act to Protect the Animal World. Since 1953, the Zoo has contributed to conservation through awareness-raising, in-situ conservation actions, and the funding of scientific research programs.

Whether for local or international wildlife, the Zoo’s Mission Faune initiative aims to accelerate concrete action for the protection of biodiversity. It invites engagement and change—today and for generations to come.

https://missionfaune.zoodegranby.com/en