The North Carolina Zoo's commitment to wildlilfe extends far beyond its gates. One of the Zoo's most important conservation research projects operates in the western African nation of Cameroon. There, Zoo Chief Veterinarian Dr. Michael Loomis works with several NGO and government partners to study elephants and elephant habitat.

The Zoo joined forces with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in 1996 to study elephants in northern Cameroon. The project has grown since then to include studies in the southeast forests and on Mount Cameroon as well. Dr. Loomis and his colleagues have deployed satellite tracking collars on dozens of elephants. The data collected is then analyzed and visualized in order to better understand elephant movement patterns, habitat usage and other factors. With these data in hand, elephant conservationists are working to limit human/elephant conflicts, to maintain the connectivity of existing elephant habitat, and to improve land-use planning decisions in several areas of Cameroon. (less info)