As part of WWF’s Regional Biomonitoring Strategy and in line with the conservation strategy of WWF CAR, the Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas (DSPA) carries out activities to monitor the status of wildlife and human pressures in order to evaluate and to better orient conservation efforts. Wildlife survey is one of these activities that is carried out regularly, every four to five years. The last wildlife inventory conducted in 2020-2021 provided a solid base of data on large and medium mammal dynamics as well as anthropogenic pressures in DSPA. The results of this inventory made it possible to evaluate the evolution of the abundance of populations of flagship species such as elephants, great apes, and others. Also, these results helped to reorient conservation activities.

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

On-foot Transects: Systematic ground surveys will be conducted to directly observe and record wildlife species and human presence. This method offers a foundation for understanding species distribution and abundance and has been the main methodology previously used.

Camera Traps: Non-invasive camera traps will be strategically deployed to capture images of wildlife diversity, particularly for elusive or nocturnal species not detected by the transect technique.

Environmental DNA (eDNA) Sampling: By analyzing genetic material from environmental samples, the presence of species, even those difficult to directly observe, can be determined.

Elephant Dung DNA Capture-Mark-Recapture: This technique will be employed to estimate elephant population size and demographics by analyzing DNA from dung samples.

By integrating these innovative approaches, the wildlife census in Dzanga Sangha National Park aims to generate robust and scientifically sound data. This data will play a critical role in informing evidence-based conservation strategies and contributing to the sustainable management of this important biodiversity hotspot. Moreover, this census could represent 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 the park’s wildlife populations and their habitats.

Major functions:

The Wildlife Inventory Consultant will be responsible for contributing to the design, oversight of data analysis, and report writing for a wildlife survey focused on large and medium-sized mammals, as well as assessing anthropogenic pressures in the Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas. The consultant will collaborate closely with the WWF team on the development of the wildlife survey protocol, with an expected commitment of 10 days between October and December 2024. Fieldwork will be conducted by the Dzanga-Sangha biomonitoring team. Following the 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, with the consultant integrating the results into the overall data analysis and final report. Additionally, the consultant is encouraged to contribute to scientific publications related to the diverse methods used in the wildlife inventory and their potential improvements.

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

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Under the technical supervision of the DSPA Biomonitoring Officer and the overall management of the Director of DSPA, the Biomonitoring Consultant will contribute to the 2025 wildlife survey activities by:
• Contribute to preparatory activities prior to the survey (10 days between October-December 2024)
• Contribute to the elaboration of the data collection protocol for the fauna inventory combining camera trap, line transect, EDNA and elephant DNA-SCR techniques.
• Participate in the design and planning of the data collection process.
• Ensure data analyses and reporting (between September 2025 – March 2026)
• Assist in cleaning, organizing, and preparing the collected data for analysis.
• Conduct data analysis and interpretation in accordance with WWF standards and guidelines.
• Prepare the final report for the 2025 DSPA wildlife survey, ensuring it meets the approval of the DSPA Biomonitoring Chief of Department, Congo Basin Biomonitoring Coordinator, and Director of DSPA.

Other

• Provide additional support to the Biomonitoring team as needed to ensure the successful completion of all survey-related activities.
• Transfer knowledge on data workflows and data management techniques used during the project to the DSPA team, ensuring the integration and continuity of best practices.
• This role can be entirely performed remotely.

Profile:

This position is open to an individual or an organization possessing:

• Minimum MSc Degree in Biology, Natural Resources Management, Conservation, or related subjects.
• Practical field experience in wildlife surveys.
• Proven capacities in survey data analysis techniques and reporting.
• Practical and theoretical experience with both line transect and camera trap, DNA data analyses.
• Familiarity with GIS analysis (particularly ArcGIS).
• Ability to manage databases (Excel, CyberTracker, GIS…) and analyze data (R, Distance package…).

Required Qualifications, Skills, and Competencies

• Proficiency in English, along with strong French language skills, would be an advantage.
• Culturally aware and able to work effectively in various cultural environments.
• Capable of working with minimal supervision.
• Adheres to WWF’s values, which are: Passionate & Optimistic, Challenging & Inspiring, Credible & Accountable, and Persevering & Delivering Results.
• Able to demonstrate WWF behaviours in ways of working: strive for impact, listen deeply, collaborate openly and innovate fearlessly.

Working Relationships:

Internal:

Works closely with the DSPA biomonitoring team, the Congo basin biomonitoring Officer, the law enforcement team, and the logistics team.

External:

As part of the Biomonitoring programme, some tasks may require close collaboration with partner organisations such as Helmotz Institut, WCS, ZSL, IUCN etc., as well as universities and research centres.

This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the tasks that are anticipated proactively from the consultant. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organizational needs.

Additional details on the wildlife inventory protocol, which is currently being drafted, can be provided upon request by contacting the following email address:

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