Cattle are vital to the livelihoods of the people living around Benin’s Pendjari and W national parks. However, the close proximity of wildlife and domestic animals brings with it the risk of disease transmission that can have serious consequences for these pastoral communities. African Parks veterinarian Abdoulaye Boubakar Yero focuses on this issue playing a pivotal role in improving the livelihoods of local communities and conserving the incredible biodiversity of Benin’s national parks.
A Strategic Approach to Livestock Health
Abdoulaye, who joined the African Parks team in January 2021, has developed a comprehensive health support plan that involves two vaccination campaigns per year. These campaigns, organised by park management, are designed to immunise cattle against the three most important infections: bovine pasteurellosis, contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), and anthrax. Vaccinated cattle are far less likely to contract diseases, or to spread them to wild animals. In this way, African Parks is able to enhance the economic security of local herders and help maintain the health of wildlife populations.
In 2024 alone, approximately 54,000 cattle were vaccinated for 913 breeders around W National Park, alongside a further 40,000 cattle belonging to 279 breeders from 23 villages near Pendjari National Park.
Enhancing Disease Monitoring and Mitigation
Abdoulaye is involved in research, leading critical screening initiatives to monitor outbreaks of livestock diseases and assess the degree of risk to wildlife. This is key to understanding disease transmission patterns and strengthening preventative measures.
He has also helped to establish “fodder banks,” strategically planted areas of high-quality fodder species, designed to provide livestock with feed and reduce grazing pressure within protected areas. The 10 hectares of new forage land near W National Park are thus playing a role in mitigating human-wildlife conflict and promoting sustainable livestock management.
A True Conservation Champion
Finally, Abdoulaye’s deep understanding of animal health, both domestic and wild, has been vital to the success of several wildlife conservation efforts.
Abdoulaye’s work exemplifies the holistic approach African Parks takes in integrating community wellbeing with conservation, creating a sustainable future for people and wildlife alike. Through these initiatives in Pendjari and W national parks, African Parks continues to demonstrate that conservation and community development go hand in hand, ensuring that both people and wildlife thrive in these remarkable landscapes – and have a sustainable future.
09 April 2025