VoNat Engages 50 Mount Nlonako Kids in Amphibians Ecological Studies

Voice of Nature (VoNat) recently organized an amphibian conservation education workshop, and an ecological study trip that took close to 50 kids and youths from Ntolo, Nkognine, Ebone, Ngwa, Ntolo, Ndongue and Mangamba communities of the Mount Nlonako Area Littoral Region of Cameroon to river Ntingue for amphibians ecological studies.  These amphibians conservation-oriented events were carried out as part of commemorative activities to mark World’s Save the Frogs Day (celebrated today April 30, 2022). , was aimed at stirring up the zeal for conserving endangered amphibians species in these youngsters.

Under the guidance of amphibians conservation expert, Dr. Tasse Geraud, the youngsters gained an understanding of the importance of conserving the world’s largest frog (goliath frog), and other endangered amphibians species in the area and the roles they can play amongst others.  The amphibians conservation education session culminated in an ecological study trip to River Ntingue-Mangamba, one of the key amphibians hot spots in the Mount Nlonako Area.

For over 4 hours, the children moved quietly through the river; identifying and recording vital data about amphibians species and conservation threats. These included but not limited to water pollution, deforestation, traps, tracks, footprints, etc.

“The children of today are the hunters of tomorrow. After having different lessons with them on the different amphibians species, their conservation importance, threats, and the role they can play to conserve the species, it was necessary to take them to some amphibians hotspots. So, we brought them here so they can understand the different feeding signs, tracks, vocalization and other signs of amphibians and the different threats they are faced with,” Dr. Tasse said at the end of the ecological studies.

Meanwhile, both the amphibians conservation education session and ecological studies trip stirred up fresh zeal for conserving endangered amphibians species in the youngsters, with many promising to educate their friends, families and community members about amphibians and their conservation importance. “We learned a lot about the goliath frog and other amphibians species today. I will educate my friends and parents to stop killing these species and polluting their habitats,” Kwah Beltine, from Nkongnine village promised.

Nembo Evarestus from the Mangamba community, who has been involved in goliath frog hunting, promised to retreat from it. “I come here at times with my friends to hunt the frog. We never knew there was anything wrong with it until today. I will educate my friends about this and also caution them against polluting this river where the frogs are found,” he added.

With the zeal for amphibians conservation ignited in the community kids and youths, there is hope for endangered amphibians in the Mount Nlonako Area. This newfound zeal, however, needs to be sustained through continuous sensitization and alternative livelihood provision for frog hunters, and trappers in the area.

The conservation education and ecological studies were carried out as part of VoNat’s Young Amphibians Conservation Stewards project funded by British Ecological Society and Voice for Nature Foundation