Wildlife inventory advisory service – Central African Republic

1. Background:

As part of WWF’s regional biomonitoring strategy and in line with WWF CAR’s conservation strategy, Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas (DSPA) conducts activities to monitor the state of wildlife and human pressure to assess and better target conservation efforts. Wildlife survey is one of these activities, which is carried out regularly every four to five years. The last wildlife inventory conducted in 2020-2021 provided a solid data base on the dynamics of large and medium-sized mammals and anthropogenic pressure in DSPA. The results of this inventory made it possible to assess the evolution of population densities of flagship species such as elephants, great apes and others. In addition, these results helped to refocus conservation efforts.

To effectively assess wildlife populations in the Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas in 2025, a multi-pronged approach will be implemented. This methodology combines established and innovative techniques to provide a comprehensive overview of the park’s biodiversity.

• Transects on foot: Systematic ground surveys are used to directly observe and record wildlife species and human presence. This method provides a basis for understanding species distribution and abundance and has been the main method used to date.
• Camera traps: Non-invasive camera traps are used strategically to capture images of wildlife biodiversity, particularly elusive or nocturnal species that are not captured by transect techniques.
• Sampling of environmental DNA (eDNA): By analyzing genetic material from environmental samples, the presence of species can be determined, even if they are difficult to observe directly.
• Capturing DNA from elephant dung – marking it – capturing it again: This technique aims to estimate the size and demographics of the elephant population by analyzing DNA from dung samples.

By integrating these innovative approaches, the wildlife census in Dzanga Sangha National Park is expected to generate robust and science-based data. These data will play a critical role in developing evidence-based conservation strategies and contribute to the sustainable management of this important biodiversity hotspot. Furthermore, this census could be one of the most comprehensive wildlife surveys ever conducted in an African national park, incorporating the latest biodiversity monitoring techniques to ensure a thorough assessment of wildlife populations and their habitats in the park.

1. Main functions:

The Wildlife Inventory Consultant will be responsible for contributing to the design, overseeing data analysis and reporting for a wildlife survey focusing on large and medium-sized mammals, as well as assessing anthropogenic pressures in the Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas. The Consultant will work closely with the WWF team to develop the wildlife survey protocol and is expected to spend 10 days between October and December 2024. Fieldwork will be carried out by the Dzanga Sangha Biomonitoring Team. After fieldwork, the Consultant will play a key role in ensuring data quality and consolidation, as well as overseeing data processing and the production of a high quality report.

DNA analysis will be carried out by external partners and the consultant will integrate the results into the overall data analysis and final report. In addition, the consultant will be encouraged to contribute to scientific publications addressing the different wildlife inventory methods and their possible improvements.

The final report will be written in English, but a French version is strongly encouraged. Organisations with teams specialised in different tasks are also welcome to apply.

1. Key tasks and responsibilities:

Under the technical supervision of the DSPA Biomonitoring Officer and the overall direction of the DSPA Director, the Biomonitoring Consultant will contribute to the wildlife survey activities in 2025 by:

Participation in preparatory activities prior to the survey (10 days between October and December 2024)

1. Contribute to the elaboration of the data collection protocol for the faunal inventory, combining camera traps, line transects, EDNA and elephant DNA-SCR techniques.
2. Participate in the design and planning of the data collection process.

Ensuring data analysis and reporting (between September 2025 and March 2026)

1. Help clean, organize and prepare collected data for analysis.
2. Conduct data analysis and interpretation according to WWF standards and guidelines.
3. Prepare the final report for the 2025 DSPA Wildlife Survey and ensure that it receives approval from the DSPA Biomonitoring Section Head, the Congo Basin Biomonitoring Coordinator and the Director of DSPA.

Other

1. Provide additional support to the biomonitoring team as needed to ensure the successful completion of all survey-related activities.
2. Share your knowledge of data workflows and data management techniques used during the project with the DSPA team, ensuring integration and continuity of best practices.

This role can be performed entirely remotely.

1. Profile:

This position is open to Individual or organization own:

1. At least an MSc degree in biology, natural resource management, nature conservation or related subjects.
2. Practical field experience in wildlife surveys.
3. Proven skills in survey data analysis and reporting.
4. Practical and theoretical experience with line transects and camera traps as well as DNA data analysis.
5. Familiarity with GIS analysis (especially ArcGIS).
6. Ability to manage databases (Excel, CyberTracker, GIS, etc.) and analyze data (R, Distance package, etc.).

Required qualifications, skills and competencies

1. Good knowledge of English and French would be an advantage.
2. Culturally aware and able to work effectively in diverse cultural environments.
3. Able to work with minimal supervision.
4. Adheres to WWF values: passionate and optimistic, challenging and inspiring, credible and reliable, and persistent and results-oriented..
5. Can demonstrate WWF behaviours in the way they work: strive for impact, listen carefully, collaborate openly and innovate fearlessly.
6. Industrial relations:

Internal

Works closely with the DSPA Biomonitoring Team, the Congo Basin Biomonitoring Officer, the Law Enforcement Team and the Logistics Team.

External

Within the biomonitoring programme, some tasks may require close cooperation with partner organisations such as the Helmholtz Institute, WCS, ZSL, IUCN, etc., as well as universities and research centres.

This job description covers the main responsibilities and conveys the meaning of the tasks that are expected proactively from the consultant. Depending on organizational needs, additional tasks may be assigned as needed.

Further details on the Wildlife Inventory Protocol currently in draft form are available upon request at the following email address:

aede@wwfcar.org: Antoine Ede, Head of Research Monitoring, Forestry, Primate Habituation and One Health.