Greetings, esteemed friends,
My name is Eva Johnson Ayaro, and I am privileged to share a story that intertwines my love for research with a mission of great significance. I am an early career female herpetologist and an EDGE Fellow, where my focus is on conserving a Critically Endangered chameleon species found in the forests of Tanzania. With a background in wildlife conservation and a deep commitment to gender equity in the field, I have dedicated my career to advancing our understanding of biodiversity and empowering women to pursue careers in conservation.
As an EDGE Fellow, I stand at the forefront of a cause beyond just academic pursuit. It’s a quest to safeguard a unique species on the verge of extinction: The Nguru Spiny Pygmy Chameleon, or Viseta in the local language. I see my work as more than just a scientific undertaking; it’s a responsibility to our shared natural world.
My friends, I invite you to join me on this journey. Together, we can forge a path where research informs tangible conservation impact. With your support, we can bring the Nguru Spiny Pygmy Chameleon back from the brink. Let us embark on this journey together.
EDGE Fellow Eva Johnson Ayaro with the Critically Endangered Nguru Spiny Pygmy Chameleon
Nestled in the heart of Tanzania, my project site and home to Viseta, the Mkingu Nature Forest Reserve is a tapestry of wonders. The rustle of leaves harmonizes with the songs of birds, creating a symphony that echoes through the dense greenery. The forest is home to many species, from playful monkeys to colourful birds and unique chameleons, many of which are threatened. The lush foliage also offers a refuge for my EDGE species, the Nguru Spiny Pygmy Chameleon, a charismatic little chameleon found nowhere else in the world.
Amidst the towering trees, Mkingu is a vital carbon sink, contributing to the fight against climate change. Like a guardian, the forest absorbs carbon dioxide, breathing life into our air. It’s a natural hero silently working to preserve our planet.
Mkingu Nature Forest Reserve
Yet, intertwined with this beauty, concerns emerge. Deforestation threatens the very essence of Mkingu. The steady hum of chainsaws echo through the forest, signalling a discordant note in the natural symphony. Illegal logging and encroachment cast shadows on the landscape.
Farming plots cleared in the middle of Mkingu Nature Forest Reserve and deforestation inside the reserve
Myself and the team witnesses the deforestation in the reserve
However, there is a glimmer of hope. Government, local communities, environmentalists (like me and my team), and local and international NGOs (such as ZSL, WICO, PAMs, and others) have united to safeguard Mkingu, planting the seeds of change. The rallying cry for sustainable practices and responsible land use echoes through the trees countering the looming threat.
My remarkable and exciting project focuses on improving the conservation status of Nguru Spiny Pygmy Chameleon through the following actions:
- Searching for Viseta in Mkingu and nearby farms to determine the population in the wild.
- Studying the environment where the Viseta lives to see what helps them thrive and to understand its habitat requirements.
- Talking to local people and children in villages adjacent to the forest reserve about why protecting these unique chameleons and other chameleons in the forest is crucial.
- Creating an easy-to-follow guide and plan to save my EDGE species and their habitat in the Mkingu area.
Overall, my project aims to develop a collaborative and strategic conservation and management plan crucial to safeguarding the Nguru Spiny Pygmy Chameleon and its habitat. We hope to increase their numbers and effect their full recovery, eventually meaning their removal from the endangered list and salvation from extinction.
This narrative unfolds a tale of both challenges and triumphs. The challenges serve as a call to action, urging us to protect this vital ecosystem, while the triumphs inspire hope for coexistence between humanity and the natural world.
Together, we can save Mkingu by supporting local communities and conservation organizations working in the region, participating in reforestation initiatives, and spreading awareness about preserving this unique forest. These efforts inspire people and show that conservation efforts can positively impact similar areas in Tanzania and across the world.
Saving Mkingu will benefit more than just Tanzanians. The world needs Viseta, and the world needs Mkingu. And for Viseta and Mkingu to thrive, they need us all!
Eva Johnson Ayaro, 2022 EDGE Africa Cohort
