Directory of Experts

Based on our work ethic and values on the conservation and sustainable development of the regions where we operate, Africa's Eden has teamed up with a number of experts over the years...

Contact our team of experts

Africa's Eden	Position
	Tienke Vermeiden Spokesperson for Africa's Eden & for the conservation projects in the park Contact person for: - Journalists, filmmakers, photographers - Press trips - Questions with regard to our tourism and conservation activities
	Ricus Delport Former Manager Bom Bom Island Resort, Current Manager Loango Lodge & Eco-Camps Expert on the tourism activities in Loango National Park, Gabon and the island of Príncipe
	Jaco Ackermann Coordinator of conservation programs Expert in research and in charge of the training of ecoguides at Loango National Park
Conservation / Research	Position & Expertise
	Nick Bachand Veterinarian & Head of the Fernan-Vaz Gorilla Project Initiated in the year 2000, the Fernan-Vaz Gorilla Sanctuary & Rehabiliation / Reintroduction programme, specialising in the care and rehabilitation of western lowland gorillas once victims of the bush meat crisis.
	Josephine Head Primatologist, Max Planck Institute Set up in February 2005 as a collaboration between Operation Loango and the Max Planck Institute (Leipzig); the Loango Ape Project aims to habituate chimpanzees and lowland gorillas for both research and ecotourism. "After 4 years of research and habituation, we now have 2 research camps within the national park. Through habituation, we gain a better understanding of their behaviour, demography and health status; and in time we will provide ape viewing for tourists at Loango Lodge".
	Matthew Shirley Researcher, University of Florida "I am interested in the conservation of crocodiles in western Africa. Of primary interest is the ecology of the slender-snouted crocodile, one of the most interesting and certainly the least known crocodile in the world. The ultimate goal of this research, of course, is to design more effective conservation programs. I use tools ranging from surveys of status and distribution to telemetry methods in the field, and employ molecular phylogenetic and ecology theories in the lab to better understand populations and species on a genetic level".
	Stephanie Manka Researcher, University of Missouri-Columbia "I am interested in how ecological factors shape the differences between African forest (Loxodonta cyclotis) and savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana). I have focused my research specifically on understanding forest elephant social structure and ranging behaviors by using non-invasive genetic techniques.In a larger context, I am interested in using science as a means to understand and manage endangered species."