Giant eland, as the largest species of antelope, has the potential to act as a flagship species for the whole region of the West and Central African savanna. Its Western subspecies is listed as Critically endangered, with the only wild population in the Niokolo Koba National Park, and a semi-captive population in two fenced reserves in Senegal. 

The Eastern subspecies is listed as Vulnerable, with the current distribution representing only a fraction of the original distribution range. Besides poaching and other anthropogenic pressures, the lack of knowledge of its ecology and population dynamics has been identified as one of the major threats to the species.

Key activities include the development of individual animal recognition tools; training and equipping students, field guides, and park staff to ensure continuous monitoring of giant eland populations, equipping individuals with GPS collars to understand movement patterns and habitat preferences, and conducting a population viability analysis. Data collected will support effective conservation measures, identify suitable habitats for reintroductions, and guide future management scenarios. Production of tailor-made materials for protected areas management and/or governmental conservation representatives, while facilitating functioning communication channels, ensures scientific data implementation.

The final project objective is to secure the Giant eland population across its original distribution range for both subspecies. 

Downlisting the population of the Western giant eland (WGE)

Goal: 

• Viable population of WGE in Niokolo Koba in 2035 downlisted by IUCN from Critically Endangered to Endangered.

Main activities:

• In range ex situ breeding support – monitoring of WGE in Bandia and Fathala reserves, studbook updates, individual identification of WGE
• Monitoring of population size through camera traps with individual identification of WGE
• Carrying capacity estimates and habitat assessments
• Population viability analysis as a tool for conservation decision-making (providing data for management decisions)
• Community outreach participatory staff training (participatory strategic planning)

Stabilising the population of the Eastern giant eland (EGE)

Goal: 

• A viable population of EGE across the original range states.

Main activities:

• Evaluating the influence of diverse population management practices in the Central African Republic
• Providing solid feasibility assessments for potential reintroductions in Chad
• Monitoring space use and resource selection of EGE in three national parks and surrounding hunting zones in Northern Cameroon through satellite collars