2018 African Graduate Student Research Fund Award - Ernest Fotsing

Ernest Fotsing is pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Dschang (Cameroon). For his dissertation, he is studying the behavioral ecology of western gorillas in Campo’o Ma’an National Park (South Cameroon) as they adapt to increasing anthropogenic pressure and ecotourism. Funding from ASM will support his team of intrepid field biologists and trackers as they record information on local climate, vegetation, plant phenology, gorilla behavior, and human activity. In addition to providing much-needed data on basic gorilla ecology in the park, Ernest’s research will inform the sustainable-use strategy for one of Cameroon’s key conservation areas.