African Scholarship Program

Jan 31 – Feb 7, 2022

Djilor Senegal – West Africa

Overview

Initiated by the African Chelonian Institute, the inaugural African Scholarship Program (ASP), a training course for Africa’s turtle biologists, will take place between January 31 – February 7, 2022. This initiative is a vital response to the ongoing and unsustainable loss of turtle populations throughout the African continent due to severe bushmeat consumption, commercial exploitation and numerous other threats. Extirpation of many of Africa’s turtle & tortoise populations and extinction of several species is inevitable unless concerted and efficient conservation measures are taken.

The movement of “African Turtle Conservation,” as it has come to be called, has started to receive global attention and support from an ever-increasing number of conservation organizations. What makes the African Scholarship Program so wonderfully unique is that turtle conservationists from throughout West Africa will come to Senegal for an intensive program of research, workshops, and field trips to learn from the community-based chelonian conservation programs led by the African Chelonian Institute. This program is meant to promote local conservationists and will be led by local instructors (Tomas Diagne, Dr. Luca Luiselli, Pearson McGovern, Josea Dossou), creating a local collaborative and cohesive conservation coalition within West Africa.

Symposium Objectives:

• Develop scientific expertise for chelonian research in Africa: Provide scientific and practical training in turtle and tortoise ecology, biology, conservation and monitoring techniques for African students, professionals, and wildlife managers who have already demonstrated an interest in their local chelonian fauna.
• Build conservation leadership skills: Develop the capability of enthusiastic individuals to enable them to establish and direct conservation education and awareness programs in their home nations.
• Promote the formation of conservation networks: Graduates of the program will be encouraged to form their own country networks, joining together to form an “Association of Turtle Friends.” Such a group, with mutual interests and relatable experiences, will be able to work cooperatively for the benefit of African Turtle Conservation. We will have the capacity — both individually and collectively — to conduct scientific research, establish conservation education and awareness programs, garner public support, and influence legislative change in our homelands.