Voice of Nature (VoNat) has concluded the final phase of its participatory research on the distribution and threats facing the Goliath frog (Conraua goliath) in the Mount Nlonako area. This latest stage covered four villages in Nlonako Subdivision, Balondo, Manengole, Ekomntolo, and Ekomendiang, building on earlier work in five other Nlonako communities and seven in neighbouring Manjo Subdivision.
The research combined species hotspot mapping with community storytelling sessions, gathering local ecological knowledge and exploring perceptions of conservation challenges. Through this approach, VoNat identified both direct and indirect threats to the world’s largest frog while fostering open dialogue on locally relevant conservation measures.
“Working with your team has made us see the bigger picture of how our farming, tree cutting, and river pollution affect the Goliath frog. It is important to identify and protect key areas where they live so that, in the long run, we know exactly where to find them,” said His Royal Majesty Tifon Stephen, Chief of Ekomntolo.
VoNat plans to convene a multi-stakeholder workshop to share the results of the mapping exercise and engage communities in designing practical solutions to address the threats identified. The project is supported by Re:wild.