PhD Oral Exam - Bernardine France Anougue Tonfack, Biology

When studying for a doctoral degree (PhD), candidates submit a thesis that provides a critical review of the current state of knowledge of the thesis subject as well as the student’s own contributions to the subject. The distinguishing criterion of doctoral graduate research is a significant and original contribution to knowledge.

Once accepted, the candidate presents the thesis orally. This oral exam is open to the public.

Abstract

Primate populations are declining worldwide due to habitat loss, poaching, and anthropogenic pressures, with great apes being particularly vulnerable because of their low reproductive rates. These challenges highlight the need for conservation strategies that balance biodiversity protection with sustainable local development. Ecotourism is recognized as a valuable conservation tool, but its successful implementation depends on understanding species’ ecology, genetics, and the social context in which conservation occurs. This thesis evaluated the feasibility of conserving western gorillas through science-based ecotourism in Campo Ma'an National Park, Cameroon, by integrating four complementary studies on habituation, activity patterns, habitat use, conservation genetics, and stakeholder perceptions. The first study assessed the habituation of a western gorilla group between 2015 and 2022. The second examined activity budgets and habitat use over a 12-month period to identify ecological conditions suitable for responsible gorilla viewing. The third investigated the genetic structure, relatedness, and dispersal patterns of western gorillas inhabiting the geographically isolated Dipikar landscape. The fourth evaluated the perceptions of local communities, conservation organizations, and government institutions acting around the Campo Ma’an National Park regarding the development of gorilla ecotourism. The results demonstrated that western gorillas can be successfully habituated despite a history of poaching, although the process required several years of sustained monitoring. Behavioural observations revealed seasonal and habitat-related variation in activity patterns, providing recommendations for ecotourism planning and conservation management. Genetic analyses indicated low population differentiation and maintained connectivity despite the natural isolation of the Dipikar landscape, suggesting that the population retains the biological characteristics required for long-term persistence. In addition, most stakeholders expressed positive attitudes toward gorilla conservation and ecotourism, emphasizing the importance of community participation, equitable benefit-sharing, and institutional collaboration for implementation. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that effective conservation requires integrating behavioural, ecological, genetic, and social evidence to support informed management decisions. By combining these perspectives, this thesis provides the first comprehensive assessment of the biological and social feasibility of developing western gorilla ecotourism in Cameroon. More broadly, it offers an interdisciplinary framework that may guide evidence-based conservation and ecotourism planning for western gorilla populations in other understudied landscapes across Central Africa.