BINCO Ethiopia

frogs, cameratraps and afromontane forests

Project description

2018 - Gura ferda forest

In the Southwest of Ethiopia, unexplored dense rainforests lie clouded in the mountains. On the border with South-Sudan, Gura-Ferda forest hosts unique biodiversity. With the help of the Ethiopian herpetologist Abeje Kassie, BINCO surveyed the birds, big mammals, reptiles and amphibians that live hidden under the canopy.

: With the help of multilingual guide (Zerihun Dubale – left) and a local guide from the Sheko etnic community, we explored Gura-ferda forest for one month.

: Waking up to the sound of the forest is among the most impressive experiences you can imagine.

: A wild enset, a cousin of the banana plant.

: The long reed frog, Hyperolius nasutus,

: Nutrient cycling in action

: Ancient tree ferns flourish under the towering hardwoods.

: Named after an officer in the Italian navy held prisoner for two years by Ethiopian forces, Leptopelis vannutellii is the most common frog we encountered.

: A pregnant Ethiopian banana frog – Afrixalus enseticola

: The guides, armed with spears, lead the way to the forest

: The full team when exploring the lowland forest next to Gura-ferda.