Kinyonga Programme: find out more about our partner, WICO, which works to conserve chameleons in Tanzania
Caméléon Center Conservation (CCC) is launching an ambitious research and conservation programme for Tanzania’s endangered chameleons, in partnership with the Women in Conservation Organisation (WICO). In a new video, we invite you to find out more about our Tanzanian partner and its co-founder, Eva Ayaro Johnson, who leads the Kinyonga Programme in the field.
An ambitious programme to protect Tanzania’s chameleons
Tanzania is home to an exceptional diversity of chameleons, including many endemic species, some of which are restricted to a single forest or mountain range. This biological richness is now threatened by habitat loss and degradation, climate change and a lack of scientific knowledge.
In response to these challenges, CCC and WICO are pooling their expertise through the Kinyonga Programme, a long-term conservation initiative based on four complementary pillars:
Scientific research: improving knowledge of the distribution, ecology and status of threatened species.
Habitat conservation: identifying priority areas and developing concrete protection measures.
Local capacity building: training and supporting young Tanzanian researchers, whilst promoting the participation of women.
Awareness-raising: engaging local communities and younger generations in the preservation of their natural heritage.
Initial actions will focus in particular on the Eastern Arc Mountains and the Usambara Mountains, which are among Africa’s most important regions for biodiversity and endemism.
WICO, a key local partner
To develop this programme, CCC is working with the Women in Conservation Organisation (WICO), a Tanzanian organisation dedicated to scientific research, the protection of biodiversity and the involvement of local communities.
WICO’s co-founder, Eva Ayaro Johnson, a Tanzanian herpetologist, also heads the Kinyonga Programme in Tanzania. Her field experience and commitment to reptile conservation are significant assets for the implementation of the project.
This collaboration illustrates our commitment to building sustainable, locally-rooted programmes that combine international scientific expertise with the development of Tanzanian skills.
Discover our partner WICO in this video
In this new video posted on our YouTube channel, Eva Ayaro Johnson introduces us to WICO, its commitment to conservation and the shared ambitions that bring our two organisations together within the Kinyonga Programme.
A programme ready to take action, which needs your support
The teams are mobilised, the objectives have been set and the first initiatives are being prepared.
To ensure this programme has the necessary scope, we are now seeking new partners and financial support.
Every contribution will help fund scientific expeditions, improve our understanding of endangered species, train the next generation of Tanzanian researchers and strengthen conservation efforts directly in the field.
By supporting the Kinyonga Programme, you are helping to preserve unique biodiversity whilst strengthening the local expertise essential to its long-term protection.
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