Aristide Kamla Takoukam

After completing his Bachelor and Master’s degrees at the University of Dschang, Cameroon, Aristide received a Fulbright Scholarship towards his doctorate at the University of Florida. He graduated in 2019 and his doctoral research focused on the genetic diversity, diet, and habitat quality of the African manatee in the downstream of the Sanaga River watershed, Cameroon. Aristide is also the founder and director of the non-profit African Marine Mammal Conservation Organization (AMMCO) which conducts research and conservation projects with African manatees, cetaceans, sea turtles and other freshwater wildlife. He has developed several mobile App applications to help in research and conservation of aquatic wildlife and some terrestrial species. Aristide has mentored over 15 Master’s students in Africa in the field of aquatic research. He also completed a MENTOR-Manatee project entitled “Enhancing the local perception of the African manatee in Lake Ossa Wildlife Reserve, Cameroon through education programs”.