Christian Landry Djuideu Tchouamou
This project aims to investigate the niche overlapping between aardvarks and giant pangolins in forest-savannah transitional zone of Cameroon. These species are highly threatened by hunting and habitat loss. The objectives of the project are (1) to use spatiotemporal distribution models to identify areas where these species overlap in their habitat, (2) to collect data on the abundance and activity of aardvarks and giant pangolins across different habitats and seasons to understand their ecological interactions and (3) to compare diet composition and assess how the interspecific competition for food resources between aardvarks and pangolins affects pangolins’ behavior and biological traits in the Mpem and Djim National Park.
Capture of aardvark in the Deng Deng National Park in Cameroon. ©Franklin Simo/CWCI.
The project will use camera traps, spatiotemporal distribution models, data on the abundance, activities, interactions, and diet of aardvarks and pangolins in the Mpem and Djim National Park to assess the interspecific competition for space and food resources within their habitat and evaluate how it affects their lifestyle. The project will contribute to improving conservation actions for the survival of endangered giant pangolins within their habitat especially for a reintroduction program.