Hidden cameras are not only the domain of espionage and TV reality shows, they are also becoming an increasingly used and valuable tool in modern day biodiversity monitoring.

Following on from a successful camera trap program in Indonesia’s Ujung Kulon National Park, The Aspinall Foundation (TAF) recently started a similar monitoring program in the Batéké Plateau region of Central Africa – where they have been doing conservation work for over 20 years.

They have been working in The Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) since 1987 and in neighbouring Gabon since 1998 on a project to protect the critically endangered Western lowland gorilla and the environment in which it lives. TAF, working in collaboration with the countries’ respective governments, now protects nearly 1 million acres within the unique savannah ecosystem of the Batéké Plateau that spans these bordering nations.

Amos Courage, Director for Overseas Projects said: ‘The Batéké Plateau is an area of incredible biodiversity where many forest and savanna species can be found. Part of our commitment to conservation is taking concrete steps towards preserving areas along with protecting individual species. A large part of this project is building good working partnerships, for example, with the governments of both Congo and Gabon to ensure that this area is safeguarded for future generations.’

Batéké Panthera Pardus

Camera traps are an effective and unobtrusive method for conservationists to measure wild animal populations and track the frequency and distribution of their movements. After a relatively short trial period these devices have already yielded a bounty of biodiversity data, including images of leopards, red river hogs, forest elephants, chimpanzees, sitatunga, forest buffalo and even the strikingly beautiful black serval.

Amos commented: ‘Footage like this reinforces the importance of protecting habitats and finding ways to extend this protection beyond the limits of national reserves. The camera traps have proved very successful in providing us with an idea of the amount of species in this area, their numbers and their movements.’

With this new monitoring program up and running, TAF is anticipating a host of diverse and exciting images which will help to showcase the vital conservation work that the Foundation is doing in this region as well as providing data for planning conservation management strategies.

Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2011©