Primate WATCH Network
Promoting the conservation of great apes by providing technical advice and support to minimize the negative impacts of development projects.
About
Following the Primate WATCH Programs in West and Central Africa, participants expressed a desire to create a network across programs to share knowledge and lessons learned in their respective countries in order to bring about lasting, positive change. In September 2024, participants from both Primate WATCH programs came together for an in-person workshop to establish an official Primate WATCH Network and develop a road map for the network moving forward. This workshop was funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The Primate WATCH Network aims to broaden collective and individual knowledge and strengthen the impact each member has in promoting best practices and the effective implementation of the mitigation hierarchy among all key stakeholders involved directly or indirectly in large-scale development projects in their home countries and beyond. All future participants in Primate WATCH Programs will have the opportunity to become members of the Primate WATCH Network.
Meet the Members
Wen Mayouko
Research and Biomotoring Manager
Parc National Nouabale-Noki, Congo
About Me:
My first steps in conservation were in the socio-ecological monitoring and habituation of chimpanzees and gorillas through the Goualougo Triangle Great Ape Management Project in the Republic of Congo. For more than seven years, I have been focusing on studies of the impact of industrial logging activities on great apes in FSC-certified forests in northern Congo. I share my experience of data collection at national and sub-regional level.
Andrea Haffner
Environmental Specialist
Sierra Leone
About Me:
My work has mainly been centered around promoting public awareness and education on great ape protection, integrating conservation best practices and developing livelihood adjustments with communities experiencing human-wildlife conflict. As an environmental consultant, I also work on ESIAs that identify the habitat and presence of great apes and develop ESMPs that proffer measures that ultimately ensure primate protection is not at the detriment of economic activities.
Ban Dagui Simone, PhD
Primatologist
Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire
About Me:
I’m a primatologist specializing in great ape conservation, particularly chimpanzees, with expertise in tropical ecology and the management of conservation projects. My background includes research into the ecology and ethology of mammals, as well as concrete action to preserve chimpanzees in Côte d’Ivoire and West Africa. As an environmental expert, I have worked on reducing the impact of infrastructure projects on ecosystems. My experience also includes raising community awareness and managing development projects to promote sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife. I am passionate about promoting biodiversity through scientific collaboration and local action.
Serge A. Kamang, PhD
Technical Advisor
Transboundary Planning and Management of the BSB Yamoussa Complex for the German Cooperation, Cameroon
About Me:
I am a conservation biologist and a winner of the Whitley Award for the conservation of large and medium-sized mammals in Cameroon, with a particular focus on lions, giraffes, and chimpanzees. My doctoral research centered on the ecology of the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti) in the Mbam-Djerem National Park (Cameroon), the most endangered of the four chimpanzee subspecies. It is essential to implement tailored solutions to protect great apes and preserve their ecological, cultural, and economic roles, particularly through ecotourism, for the well-being of all.
Urbain NGOBOBO -As- Ibungu, PhD
Country Director
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, DRC
About Me:
My work focuses on gorilla research, especially Grauer’s gorillas, and their conservation using an approach based on the involvement of local communities. In this way, I advocate and implement conservation strategies based on four pillars: protection, science, educating future generations of conservationists, and community involvement to promote the well-being of local communities.
Prince Degny Vale, PhD
Assistant Teaching Professor / Associate researcher
University Jean Lorougnon Guede / Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire
About Me:
My research examines the conservation challenges posed by the rapid expansion of gold mining in Côte d’Ivoire, in collaboration with the University of Cambridge. Despite the country’s loss of over 80% of its forest cover due to agriculture, the recent surge in gold mining interest presents new threats to biodiversity, particularly to western chimpanzees. This study investigates how gold mining impacts forest habitats and its broader consequences for local ecosystems. Additionally, I focus on habitat conservation for great apes—particularly chimpanzees and gorillas—as flagship species that galvanize significant conservation efforts in tropical forests. My work aims to inform sustainable development practices that protect biodiversity while supporting ecosystem resilience.
Godiline Esther NKOUSSOU
Research Assistant
Wildlife Conservation Society, Congo
About Me:
I study the demographics, health, and movement patters of gorillas and elephants in Mbeli Baï part of the Sangha Trinational Forest in the Republic of Congo. I am very passionate about finding conservation solutions that are paramount to avoiding irreversible losses of gorillas and elephants and their habitats.
Ghislain W. Ebang Ella, PhD
Research Manager
l’Institut de Recherche en Ecologie Tropicale, Gabon
About Me:
I study chimpanzees tool-use and culture and gorilla habitat to better understand human evolution and conserve primates through coexistence with humans.
Omasombo Wotoko Valentin, PhD
Research Assistant / Project Manager for Bonobo Conservation in the Lomako Landscape
l’Université de Kinshasa / Antwerp Zoo Foundation, DRC
About Me:
My interest in conservation lies at the interface between social and ecological sciences, in order to understand the ecological, political, socio-cultural and economic complexities of the environment, and to encourage the development and implementation of conservation policies, strategies and measures to safeguard biodiversity. At present, I support the Congolese government and international and national NGOs in the management of protected areas and the development of Other Effective Conservation Measures; and local communities in the creation and management of local community forest concessions for conservation and the development of income-generating activities compatible with biodiversity conservation.
Mamadou Diawara
Executive Director
Guinée Ecologie, Guinea
About Me:
I am an experienced biologist with over 10 years’ commitment to biodiversity and ecosystem conservation in Guinea. I coordinate innovative projects involving local communities, such as participatory chimpanzee conservation in Fouta Djallon. Knowledgeable in international conservation planning and standards, I mobilize nature-based approaches to protect critical habitats while improving people’s livelihoods. My passion for great apes is reflected in my efforts to harmonize human coexistence and primate protection.
Fedia E.L SIMIRA BANGA DAOUDA épse MEZUI
Laboratory Assistant
Agence Nationale des Parcs Nation aux, Gabon
About Me:
In the laboratory, I work within the framework of wildlife crime and provide data to support management decisions within national parks. I use genetic methods for the census of great ape populations in Gabon. These data are essential for the conservation of these populations and for accompanying measures in the context of development projects impacting their habitat.
Abdulai Barrie
Environmental Management Specialist
Ministry of Energy, Sierra Leone
About Me:
I am an experienced primatologist who did my undergraduate and graduate research on chimpanzees. I am a wildlife ecologist with over 20 years experience working in biodiversity conservation, environmental and social impact assessment, environmental and social audits, and in the management of systems of major international conservation organizations and multilateral organizations including the World Bank, IFC, IUCN, GEF, AFDB, CEPF. I am also Technical Advisor to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
Alexandre Konate, PhD
Wildlife Specialist
Simfer, Rio Tinto, Guinea
About Me:
My work has centered on the Critically Endangered western chimpanzee and understanding the dynamics of the wildmeat trade. I am truly proud to say that my country of Guinea harbors the largest population of chimpanzees in West Africa; however, it is also currently experiencing a boom in large-scale development projects, especially in the mining sector, and associated infrastructure. I am strongly committed to helping improve practices within the private sector and ensuring a sensible balance between economic development and the conservation of great apes.
Menladi M. Lormie
Primatologist
USAID-WABiLED Program, Tetra Tech ARD, Liberia
About Me:
My conservation work focuses on primate and large mammal research, transboundary collaborations, and protected areas management. I became interested in great ape conservation while doing a nationwide chimpanzee surveys in Liberia. In addition, I have conducted independent surveys and collaborated with other scientist on about four scientific papers. Serving as team leader on both the nationwide survey and a follow up social economic survey deepened my capacity and understanding to work tirelessly for the conservation of primates.
Landing Badji, PhD
Temporary Teacher
Department of Animal Biology, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar,Senegal
About Me:
My research program is multidisciplinary, combining the fields of ecology, biology, ethnobotany, and climatology. I seek to understand chimpanzee diet, self-medication behavior in comparison with human pharmacopoeia and zoonotic pathogens. I am also interested in applied conservation research on human-chimpanzee interactions, particularly with wildlife in anthropogenic savannah environments. I also carry out studies to assess the impact of gold mining on chimpanzee and wildlife corridors in Senegal. Great apes have always held a deep fascination for me, and protecting them means protecting our environment for a better life.
Clement Tweh
Program Manager
Wild Chimpanzee Foundation, Liberia
About Me:
I am a researcher at the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (WCF) in Liberia. My research involves ecological monitoring of chimpanzees and large mammals within and around protected areas to determine population dynamics and threats influencing their survival and distribution. This information helps towards delineating proposed and future protected areas in order to contribute to Liberia’s goal of protecting 30% of its forest cover. I am interested in ecological modeling and socio-economic correlations that influence ecological systems with primates.
Nadia Niyonizeye
Scientist and Conservationist, Gender in Conservation, and Eastern Gorilla Conservation
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, Rwanda
About Me:
I am a passionate scientist who applies social and natural science principles to improve data-driven information production that guides decision-making at the interface of humans, animals, plants, and the environment. My work focuses on eastern gorilla conservation and the integration of gender perspectives into conservation practice.
Jackson Mutume
Eastern DRC Conservation Action Plan Coordinator
Jane Goodall Institute, DRC
About Me:
I have over ten years of field experience working with local and indigenous communities to protect gorillas and chimpanzees in customary forests of eastern DRC. My long-standing engagement with JGI and co-leadership of the Conservation Action Plan helped establish the Ushiriki Consortium, now a key platform for sharing great ape conservation best practices in the region. I also played a pivotal role in the participatory creation of three customary forests serving as habitat corridors connecting Maiko, Kahuzi-Biega, and Itombwe in eastern DRC.
Judith Mbayuwayu
Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (PMEL) Officer
World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Tanzania
About Me:
I am a conservation professional with extensive experience in primate research and conservation in western Tanzania. I have worked on long-term studies of chimpanzees and other primates in the Greater Mahale Ecosystem, using direct observation, camera trapping, and bioacoustic monitoring to understand behavior and ecology. I integrate scientific research with project leadership to support conservation outcomes, and I am passionate about advancing great ape protection through research, monitoring, and collaborative conservation initiatives.
Sood Ndimuligo
Western Zone Programs Officer
Tanzania Landscape Restoration Organization (TaLRO), Tanzania
About Me:
My conservation work is based in western Tanzania, where I focus on chimpanzee surveys, community mobilization for natural resource management, and Conservation Action Planning. I have contributed to national chimpanzee surveys and analysis, and I support local communities in biodiversity monitoring around the Greater Gombe-Masito-Ugalla Ecosystem.
Geoffrey Muhanguzi
Researcher
Budongo Conservation Field Station, Uganda
About Me:
I have worked with primate conservation organizations for over twenty years, with a particular focus on how people use wild resources while promoting primate survival. My current work focuses on promoting conservation incentives that support primate populations along the wildlife-human interface, particularly around protected areas.
Luc Lango
Director
Research Center for Environmental Planning, DRC
About Me:
Since 2008, I have been actively engaged in great ape conservation in eastern DRC, working closely with communities living within and around ape habitats to raise awareness, strengthen coexistence, and reduce pressures on critical ecosystems. I also train youth and conservation practitioners in biodiversity monitoring tools, including field data collection and spatial analysis. My interests lie in integrating community-based conservation with robust ecological monitoring to better understand and protect great ape populations.
Caroline Asiimwe
Assistant Commissioner, Research and Ecological Monitoring
Uganda Wildlife Authority, Uganda
About Me:
I have worked with great apes, particularly chimpanzees, for most of my career. My conservation work centers on promoting coexistence between humans and great apes, protecting their habitats, and monitoring their health and well-being. I would love to see the conservation status of all great apes lifted from Endangered or Critically Endangered to Least Concern.