John Konie
- Project name: Constructing the evidence base to monitor the pygmy hippo (Hexaprotodon liberiensis) in Sapo National Park, Liberia
- Project site: Sapo National Park, Sinoe, Liberia
- EDGE species: Pygmy hippo Choeropsis liberiensis
- Active: 2008 - 2009
Biography
John Konie works for the Liberian Forestry Development Authority (FDA) as Park Biologist for Sapo National Park. Konie has a degree in Forestry and spent many years lecturing at the University of Liberia and undertaking botanical surveys throughout Liberia with international experts.
Together with Flora and Fauna International (FFI), Konie is establishing a bio-monitoring programme for Sapo National Park which will produce data on abundance levels of key species, including the pygmy hippo. Konie carries out surveys using a variety of methods, including camera traps, to develop baseline data for abundance and ecology of the park’s elusive species.
EDGE Project
Konie’s project aimed to, for the first time, implement a monitoring programme using infra red camera traps. This would provide an estimate of pygmy hippo abundance in Sapo National Park. This involved:
- Using infrared camera traps to gather information on species distribution and abundance for the Sapo sub-population of pygmy hippopotamuses
- Feeding research into a conservation action plan for the species that will help inform park management
Project Gallery
