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[/one_third]Some 12 Community Rangers from the Kupe Muanenguba and Moungo divisions of Southwest and Littoral Regions of Cameroon have been trained on wildlife data collection and the use of the Global Positioning System (GPS).
BY: Grace Manka’a
The training took place during a workshop organised by the Environment and Rural Development Foundation (ERuDeF) and the Cameroon Herpetology-Conservation Biology Foundation (CAMHERP-CBF). The meeting took place in the conference hall of CAMHERP-CBF in Nkongsamba, Lttoral. Bringing together different communities surrounding the proposed Mt Muanenguba Herpetofauna Sanctuary like Manenguba I and II, Poela Mbat, Nsong, Epenenbe and Mboroko villages, the rangers were trained on how to put on and off the GPS; mark and record waypoints and how to use the GPS to track in the rainforest. They were also enlightened on how to use the GPS compass and a manual compass to trace directions and location points in the rainforest. After receiving practical lessons on the use of GPS, these Local Rangers were the schooled on how to fill in data on the Amphibian survey data sheet.
After the 1 day workshop participants expressed satisfaction with the training and recommended that another training session be organised in the rainforest so as to better their understanding.
It is worth noting that these community rangers will act as field guides and bio-monitors, collecting monthly data on herpetofauna species (amphibians and reptiles) and other wildlife species in their respective sections of the forest when the proposed Mt Muanenguba Herpetofauna Sanctuary is created. The data collected will help researchers to understand the ecology and population structures of herpetofauna species on Mt Muanenguba for better management and protection.
Besides the 12 community rangers, the workshop equally brought together The Chiefs of Wildlife and Protected Areas for Mungo and Kupe Muanenguba Divisions.