Emmanuel Amoako
The White-necked Rock Fowl (Picathartes gymnocephalus) is a critically endangered bird native to the Upper Guinean forests of West Africa. The species faces severe threats due to the rapid destruction and fragmentation of its lowland rainforest habitat. In 2018, IUCN estimated that fewer than 10,000 individuals remained, prompting its classification as Vulnerable and listing in CITES Appendix I. The survival of P. gymnocephalus is jeopardized by habitat loss, limited ecological data, and insufficient local community engagement in conservation efforts.
This project aims to address these challenges by focusing on the remaining population in Ghana’s Nyamebe Bepo Forest Reserve, the species' current known location in the country. Despite being designated as a community-based protected area, the reserve faces threats from logging, poor forest management, and inadequate ecological data among others.
This project therefore seeks to: conduct surveys to estimate the current population size and distribution of P. gymnocephalus within the reserve; evaluate the habitat conditions and identify key threats affecting the species' survival; raise awareness about the species' plight and foster local community involvement in conservation activities; and strengthen forest management practices to enhance the protection and sustainability of both the forest habitat and the White-necked Rock Fowl.
By addressing these objectives, the project seeks to ensure the long-term survival of P. gymnocephalus in Ghana, contributing to the broader conservation goals for this highly threatened species.