Improving Elephant conservation in the W Benin National Park Complex
Ecological Monitoring of elephants in the W Benin National Park within the W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) complex
© DPNP - Matthias KUNERT
The W Benin National Park within the W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) complex is home to one of the most important West African elephant populations unfortunately in constant decline, mainly due to the insecurity in the Sahel and poaching which feeds both domestic and international ivory trade. The lack of an effective monitoring system and growing deforestation keep threatening the conservation of this key elephant population home range.
In response to the above-mentioned issues, the project funded by Norway aims at developing an effective elephant tracking system using satellite collars, and at ensuring overall habitat protection by strengthening the surveillance system.
The W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) complex is a transboundary protected area and UNESCO World Heritage site covering three countries: Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger. Inscribed in 1996, the site was extended to the W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) Complex in 2017, a globally significant transboundary landscape representing the largest intact wild ecosystem in West Africa.
Objectives
Develop effective elephant tracking system
This first phase will focus on eight satellite collars to follow the movements of eight groups of elephants, day and night in the W Benin National Park. A second phase of the collaring will be organized in 2021 for 7 additional elephant groups.
Ensure overall habitat protection
Monitoring of the curtailing human disturbance that degrades habitat or disturbs elephants, strengthening the surveillance system using the satellite collar information.
Progress made
Kick-off of the project planned in September 2020Partners
African Parks Network (APN) and the State Party of Benin
This project is made possible thanks to the financial support of
the Norwegian government.
Benin