Biological and Human Dimensions of Wildlife Conservation in Cameroon

Summer 2012: May 11 to June 2 (tentative dates)

Program Location

This program will take place in and around Korup National Park, located in the English-speaking, southwestern part of Cameroon. Korup is located in a global biodiversity hotspot and is renowned for its exceptionally high number of plant and animal species, many of which are not found anywhere else in the world. Korup supports 14 different primate s species, including some of Africa’s most endangered primates,

such as the red colobus monkey and the chimpanzee.  Habitat loss and, especially, hunting for bushmeat (the meat of wild animals) are the primary threats to primates and other mammals in the area.  The people of the Korup area are ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse.  Most livelihoods are based around hunting and slash-and-burn farming of food and cash crops.

Academic Program

One of JMU’s most challenging and eye-opening short term study abroad programs, this trip offers students the opportunity to learn about the biological, social, and cultural aspects of biodiversity conservation in an African tropical rainforest. Camping and hiking in the rainforest, students will learn ecological techniques used to survey tropical plants and animals, especially primates. Students will also spend time in villages learning about the local culture and how people who rely on the park’s resources for their livelihoods view conservation efforts.  Additionally, students will visit with international conservation organizations and local environmental groups and tour a wildlife sanctuary. Through these direct, hands-on experiences, students will develop a unique understanding of the biological importance and the social and cultural complexities of conserving threatened wildlife and habitats.

The methods used to impart knowledge about wildlife conservation in Cameroon include field work and guided tours.  Students will be assessed based on their participation throughout the trip, the quality of their field data notebook and daily journal, completion of IRB training, and final report.  The forest, villages, and other locations will be the classroom.

Tentative course offerings:

• ANTH 394--Biological and Human Dimensions of Wildlife Conservation in Cameroon (6)

Required: Cameroon visa
Immunizations: Yellow fever, typhoid, Hep A, B, C; meningitis, tetanus, polio
Prophylaxis: anti-malaria medication
There will be intermittent access to the internet.  You will have cell phone reception for most of the time we are not in the forest.
You must be interested in camping and hiking and be able to tolerate and/or adapt to sometimes uncomfortable and/or unique environmental conditions.

Tentative Itinerary/Schedule:
May 11: arrive Douala airport, go immediately to Limbe
May 12: acclimate to local environment; visit Limbe Wildlife Center
May 13: travel to Mundemba
May 14: Enter Korup N.P.
May 14-21: Forest work in Korup NP; leave Korup on May 21
May 22: relax in Mundemba; tour palm oil facility
May 23: tour Mundemba with Korup Rainforest Conservation Society members
May 24: Travel to Fabe village
May 25-26: In Fabe village to learn farming, cooking, hunting, and trapping; first annual Fabe-Ikondokondo football match; leave Fabe May 26
May 27: In Mundemba; visit church
May 28: Day trip to Ikondokondo village
May 29: Leave Mundemba for Limbe
May 30: Day hike near Limbe
May 31: Day trip to Buea/University of Buea; visit with WWF in Limbe
June 1: Day trip to Seme Beach Hotel
June 2: Travel to Douala for trip back to U.S.

Accommodations

Students will reside in hotels and host family homes. Students will also stay in tents while working in the forest. Most group meals will be provided.

Program Costs

For the current projected costs for this program, please click on the following link to the Fees for JMU Study Abroad Programs page.

Application

For more detailed instructions and to download the application, please click on the following link to the Applications and Forms section for JMU Short-Term Programs.

In addition to submitting the JMU Office of International Programs 1-page application form, there will be an interview and short answer application (see link below).

Prerequisites: Minimum GPA 3.0 (or permission from Program Director), at least one course in cultural or biological anthropology or ecology or environmental studies or biology, an interview, and a questionnaire.

JMU Cameroon field school supplemental questionnaire

Note: Student must be physically fit and healthy. Student must also enjoy the outdoors and be willing to endure difficult environmental conditions.

For More Information

For additional information please contact the program director:

Joshua Linder
Assistant Professor of Anthropology
Dept. of Sociology and Anthropology
Tel: 540-568-6900
E-mail: linderjm@jmu.edu