Voice of Nature (VoNat) has awarded Certificates of Participation to 15 young volunteers who took part in its Pilot Amphibian Survey in the Mount Cameroon Landscape. The ceremony, which took place, June 6, 2026, at the organization’s Head Office in Upper Bokova, Buea, also featured the presentation of preliminary findings from the survey conducted between 28 April and 8 May 2026 as part of activities marking Save The Frogs Day and Amphibian Week 2026.
Before undertaking the field surveys, participants over 30 received hands-on training in amphibian monitoring techniques. They subsequently conducted surveys across four wetland sites and eight survey stations in the Mount Cameroon Landscape using visual encounter surveys, amphibian call surveys, habitat assessments, and standardized biodiversity data collection methods.
The survey recorded 85 amphibian observations. Although detailed analyses and species identification are still ongoing, preliminary findings have already confirmed the presence of several endemic and globally threatened amphibians, including the Buea Egg Frog (Leptodactylodon bueanus), which is endemic to Mount Cameroon and listed as Endangered, and the Decorated Running Frog (Kassina decorata), another threatened species of high conservation importance. With more than 60 percent of the recorded specimens yet to be conclusively identified, researchers expect additional significant records as analyses continue.
Presenting the preliminary findings, VoNat emphasized that the occurrence of endemic and threatened amphibian species further demonstrates the exceptional biodiversity value of the Mount Cameroon Landscape and reinforces the need for sustained research, monitoring, and habitat protection.
The certificate award ceremony recognized the commitment and dedication of the participants, all of whom were conducting amphibian field surveys for the first time. Their successful completion of the training and surveys marks an important milestone in building local capacity for amphibian conservation and citizen science in Cameroon.
The pilot survey represents another significant step in VoNat’s commitment to generating scientific evidence for conservation while empowering young people to become active stewards of biodiversity. The organization will continue detailed analyses of the survey data and expand amphibian monitoring to strengthen conservation efforts within the globally important Mount Cameroon Landscape.