Tropical Biology Association

Ghana TBA Alumni Group (UK£1,500)

Project Title: Conservation assessment of lizards and the endangered endemic Ghana Worm Lizard Cynisca kraussi

• Gilbert Baase Adum (10/1 Amani) - SAVE THE FROGS! Ghana
• Caleb Ofori Boateng (07/1 Kibale) - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
• Louis Addae-Wireko (06/1 Amani) - GIS Lecturer, KNUST
• Daniel Acquah-Lamptey (10/1 Amani) - Research Assistant, University of Ghana
• Evelyn Asante Yeboah (08/3 Kirindy) - Executive Director, Nature Watch Ghana
• John Abraham (04/2 Kibale) - PhD student and Researcher in Entomology and Chemical Ecology, Free University of Bolzano, Italy
• Dr. Bright Kankam- Research Scientist, FORIG
• Dr. Stephen Tekpetey- Research Scientist, FORIG
• Evans Ewald Nkrumah (09/2 Amani) - PhD Candidate, KNUST
• Akom Emmanuel (10/4 Kirindy) - Research and Project Liaison Officer, AROCHA Ghana
• Prosper Antwi Baffour Bosiako (10/2 Kibale) - Southern Ghana Project Manager, AROCHA Ghana

Project Title: Herpetofaunal survey of Harena Forests in Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

Project Team:

• Zelalem Wodu Abate (06/3 Mpala/Naivasha) - Biological Society of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa University
• Hayal Desta (05/2 Kibale) - Lecturer and Researcher, Addis Ababa University
• Desalegn Chala (05/1, Kibale) - Lecturer and PhD candidate, Mekelle University, Ethiopia.
• Senait Shemelis (BSc), field Assistant, Biological Society of Ethiopia, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
• Afework Bekle- Professor of Ecology and Systematic Zoology, Department of Biology, Addis Ababa University
• Ashagire Gibtan- Lecturer (Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences), Faculty of Life sciences, Addis Ababa University

Malawi TBA Alumni Group (UK£ 1,292)

Project Title: Ecological and Conservation Status of Mulanje Mountain Dwarf Chameleon Nadzikambia mulanjense

• Tiwonge Ivy Mzumara (05/1, Kibale)- Ornithologist, Museums of Malawi
• Enoch Ng’oma (00/1, Naivasha/Taita)- Lecturer, Chancellor College, University of Malawi
• Yankho Chapeta- Herpetologist, Museums of Malawi
• Bright Kamanga- Herpetology assistant, Museums of Malawi

Project Status:

This project is examining the status and threats to a chameleon found in the Ruo Gorge forest on Mount Mulanje in Malawi. The current results show that the Mountain Dwarf Chameleon, Nadzikambia mlanjensis is found in areas in forest patches on the plateau and on the lower slopes. Further surveys are required to ascertain their full distribution and whether seasonality is a factor. But there appears to be little movement of the chameleons in the habitats where they were found. Results indicate that the species’ dietary preference is not specific to a particular plant type which may be an advantage for the species adapting to any future environmental change. However, deforestation could pose a major threat as the Chameleon’s habitat is forest patches and they require large trees for perching.

Project Title: Some ecological aspects and ectoparasites of the Lesser Bushbaby Galago senegalensis in Central Kenya

Project Team:

• Geoffrey Mwangi (07/1, Kibale)- Research Fellow, National Museums of Kenya, Mammalogy Section
• Wanyoike Wamiti- Ecological researcher, particularly on birds and pests
• Anne Mwaura- Molecular genetics expert based at the National Museums of Kenya
• Margaret Awuor (06/2, Kibale)- Assistant Lecturer, Nairobi University, Kitui Campus

Project Status:

This project will contribute to the knowledge of a small forest mammal in central Kenya. This project has progressed well. Fieldwork has been undertaken to collect morphometric data from species and parasite samples in order to examine the variation across different localities in Kenya. A scientific paper is being produced and the project is also applying for additional funding for DNA analysis to the British Ecological Society (BES).

Uganda TBA Alumni Group (UK£ 1,500)- Year 2010

Project Title: Distribution, habitats, use, and conservation status of Aloe tororoana (Reynolds) in Tororo District, Eastern Uganda

• Dr. Edward Andama (99/2, Amani)- Lecturer and Head of Department, Busitema University, Uganda
• Dr. Sarah Nachuha Kasozi (98/3, Amani)- Lecturer, Islamic University of Uganda
• Ejotre Imran (09/1, Kibale)- Teaching Assistant, Islamic University of Uganda

Project Status:

This research project has now been completed. The project discovered a new finding of the Aloe species: Aloe tororoana occurring on Tororo Rocks at the hill summit which had not been previously known. The study also looked at the distribution of the species, phenology and documented indigenous knowledge and use of this important species and documented threats to its survival. The team found that large phosphate deposits in the region pose a possible threat as the phosphate will be mined in the future for the manufacture of fertilisers. This may negatively impact the survival this endemic species.

Project Title: Survey of Indigenous Browse Plants and their Ethno-botany in Afar and Tigray Regions of Ethiopia.

Project Team:

• Mulubrhan Balehegn Gebremikael (09/1, Kibale)- Doctorate student, Norwegian University Of Life Sciences
• Bruktawit Abdu (07/4, Kirindy)- Lecturer and student, University of Khartoum
• Mahlet Shibabaw (09/2, Amani)- Research Assistant, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein

• Babalola, Folaranmi Dapo (03/1, Kibale)- Doctorate student, University of Ibadan
• Ayonniyi Dehinbo (99/1, Naivasha/Taita)- Head, Bird Hazard Control Unit, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria
• Stephen Mufutau Awoyemi (02/3, Amani)- Volunteer African Co-ordinator for Tropical Conservancy
• Tajudeen Okekunle Amusa (04/1 Naivasha/ Taita)- PhD candidate and academic staff of the Federal College of Wildlife Management, New-Bussa, Nigeria
• Anuoluwapo Oluyomi Onafuwa (04/2 Kibale)- Senior Conservation Officer, Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF)
• Victor Abiodun Ojo (04/4, Kirindy)- PhD candidate, and academic staff of the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria
• Oyomoare Lolade Eruogun (05/1 Kibale)- Graduate Assistant, University of Benin
• Michael Okunlola (07/3 Amani)- Nigerian Conservation Foundation
• Oluwakayode Michael Coker (08/1 Amani)- MSc. Graduate, Wildlife Resources Management, University of Ibadan
• Zainab Oiza Adeiza (08/3 Kirindy)- Research Associate, A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI)
• Jennifer Arubemi Agaldo (09/2 Amani)- MSc student, A.P Leventis Ornithological Research Institute
• Zingfa Jantur Wala (09/4 Kirindy)- MSc student, A.P Leventis Ornithological Research Institute
• Dr Hazel Chapman- Director, Nigerian Montane Forest Project

Cameroon TBA Alumni Group (UK£ 1,500)- Year 2009

Project Title: Rapid biological assessment and conservation priority setting of the Mbiame Community Forest, NW Region, Cameroon

• Tanda Godwin Ade (TBA 04/4, Kirindy)- Project Development and Capacity Building Officer, CENDEP
• Youssoufa Bele Mekou (TBA 03/1, Kibale)- Head, Biological Surveys Unit of the Forests, Resources and People
• Enjoh Eunice Fombad (TBA 06/1, Amani)- Forestry research and GIS officer, Forests, Resources and People
• Mogue Kamga Suzanne (TBA 08/1; Amani)- MSc Student, University of Dschang
  

Project Title: Tackling biodiversity conservation through sensitizing students in the vicinity of the humid forests and fruit bat roosts in Eastern Madagascar.

Project Team:

• Andrianaivoarivelo Radosoa (04/2, Kibale)- Doctorate student, University of Antananarivo
• Randrianavelona Roma (03/4, Kirindy)- DEA student, University of Antananarivo
• Iharimbolatiana Mahazomanana (04/3, Kibale)- Doctorate student, University of Antananarivo
• Rahaingonirina Christophe- Association Mbarakaly
• Raharimbola Sylvestre- Association Mbarakaly