Project Description

The Wechiau Community Protected Area, located in the town of Wechiau, is a significant conservation area in the Upper West Region of Ghana. The Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary (WCHS) was created to protect one of the last remaining hippo populations in Ghana. The designated sanctuary zones cover 3800 hectares, allowing for sustainable utilization of the resources, while the core conservation areas span 406 hectares, ensuring the preservation of the natural habitat. This project involved comprehensive biodiversity monitoring and land-use mapping within the Hippo Sanctuary. Activities included drone-based mapping, burnt area analysis, and remote sensing to evaluate the ecosystem. It also involved plant species identification and water quality analysis to assess the ecosystem's overall health.

Role: Drone-based Mapping, Capturing drone images, and performing GIS analysis to support the project’s objectives.

 Problem Statement

The Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary, home to one of Ghana's last remaining hippopotamus populations, faces significant threats due to frequent bushfires. These fires are invading the sanctuary zone, causing habitat destruction and threatening biodiversity. Despite efforts by the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo and the local community to protect the sanctuary through community-based conservation approaches, the escalating bushfires continue to pose a severe risk to the hippos and other wildlife.

Aim and Objective

Aim: To monitor biodiversity and map land-use changes in the Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary to aid in the conservation of its threatened hippopotamus population and other wildlife.

Objectives:

• To map the Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary and its surrounding areas using drone imagery and GIS techniques.

• To analyze the extent and impact of bushfires within the sanctuary zones.

• To identify plant species within the sanctuary and assess their health and distribution.

• To conduct water quality analysis to evaluate the suitability of water bodies for the hippos and other aquatic life.

• To provide actionable insights and recommendations for enhancing community-based conservation efforts and mitigating the impact of bushfires on biodiversity.

Project funding/ Sponsorship

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo                               Center for Coastal Management