FURTHER STRENGTHEN THE PROTECTION OF ELEPHANTS AT YANKARI GAME RESERVE THROUGH ENHANCED LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTION AND MONITORING (PHASE II)

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO SUPPORT AN ELEPHANT CONSERVATION EFFORT IN NIGERIAS YANKARI GAME RESERVE BY STRENGTHENING ELEPHANT PROTECTION AND BIOLOGICAL MONITORING AND BUILDING A CONSTITUENCY FOR ELEPHANT CONSERVATION. YANKARI GAME RESERVE HOLDS THE LARGEST REMAINING ELEPHANT POPULATION IN NIGERIA, WHICH IS ESTIMATED AT 150 INDIVIDUALS.

THIS PROJECT IS INTENDED TO CONSERVE AFRICAN SAVANNA ELEPHANTS AND THEIR HABITAT BY ADDRESSING THE IMPACTS OF POACHING, HUMAN-ELEPHANT CONFLICT (HEC), AND SEASONAL MOVEMENT OF LIVESTOCK (I.E., TRANSHUMANCE).

SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: (1) PROVISIONING FIELD RATIONS AND CAMPING ALLOWANCES FOR OVERNIGHT RANGER PATROLS (2) CONDUCTING RANGER REFRESHER TRAININGS, INCLUDING HUMAN RIGHTS, SOCIAL SAFEGUARDS, AND RANGER CODES OF CONDUCT (3) RECRUITING A LAW ENFORCEMENT ADVISOR, TWO OPERATIONS ROOM ASSISTANTS, AND A SOCIAL SAFEGUARDS AND GENDER SPECIALIST FOR THE RESERVE (4) DEVELOPING AND PILOTING A GRIEVANCE REDRESS AND COMMUNICATION MECHANISM FOR THE RESERVE AND (5) WORKING WITH TRADITIONAL PASTORALIST LEADERS TO VACCINATE 12,000 CATTLE TO REDUCE THE RISK OF DISEASE TRANSMISSION TO WILDLIFE INSIDE THE RESERVE AND SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.